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Pancreatitis Leading to Death Reported With Newer IBS Drug

pancreatitis painThe Food and Drug Administration has issued a safety alert warning of the increased risk of pancreatitis in patients taking the irritable-bowel syndrome (IBS) drug Verbizi (eluxadoline).

Verbizi is most often prescribed for IBS with diarrhea in both men and women.  The drug is relatively new with FDA approval occurring in May 2015.

The FDA warned that the drug should not be taken by patients who do not have a gallbladder.  The FDA warning states that an FDA review found these patients have an increased risk of developing serious pancreatitis that could result in hospitalization or death. Pancreatitis may be caused by spasm of a certain digestive system muscle in the small intestine. As a result, the FDA advises that they are working with the Viberzi manufacturer, Allergan, to address the safety concerns.

The FDA advised Health care professionals to not prescribe Viberzi in patients who do not have a gallbladder and should consider alternative treatment options in these patients.

The FDA further advised that hospitalizations and deaths due to pancreatitis have been reported with Viberzi use in patients who do not have a gallbladder.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas.  The pancreas helps to regulate how the body processes sugar.

Mild cases of pancreatitis can resolve without medical intervention, however severe bouts of pancreatitis can be life-threatening.  Learn more about pancreatitis here.

See the full FDA alert here.

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Our experienced Wyoming personal injury lawyer, Jason E. Ochs will fight to help you recover proper compensation in a class action, pharmaceutical, and medical cases throughout multiple states. Contact us today.

Jason E. Ochs

Jason began his legal career in 2002 with a national multi-district litigation law firm in Newport Beach, California. There he worked on a variety of high-profile, complex-litigation projects including pharmaceutical and medical-device litigation across the country.

The Ochs Law Firm epitomizes professionalism and commitment to all of our clients, regardless of the size of the case or the might of the Defendant. We practice in Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and California in personal injury litigation, medical malpractice, defective products, class action lawsuits, Qui Tam lawsuits, litigation across multiple districts, bad faith insurance, and civil litigation.

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