Viberzi is a popular treatment for adults struggling with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), but serious concerns have been raised about the safety of the medication, and as of February 2017, two deaths considered to be tied to Viberzi treatment – one associated with pancreatitis and one associated with sphincter of Oddi spasm – have been reported to the FDA, both occurring in patients who did not have a gallbladder. If you or a loved one took Viberzi for irritable bowel syndrome, and you have since suffered pancreatitis or another potentially life-threatening side effect, our consumer advocates at the Consumer Justice Foundation can help. We are committed to helping patients harmed by dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, and can help put you in touch with an attorney who has experience handling Viberzi injury claims.
IBS-D is a relatively common intestinal disorder that affects approximately 10 to 15 percent of adults in the United States, and people with this condition experience loose or watery stools at least 25 percent of the time. Patients diagnosed with IBS-D may be prescribed Viberzi in an effort to reduce diarrhea and relieve abdominal pain, but with new information about the potential side effects of Viberzi treatment, it may be safer to seek alternative treatments for IBS-D, such as:
May 2015 – The FDA approves Viberzi for the treatment of IBS-D in adults
February 2017 – As of this date, the FDA has received 120 reports of adverse events associated with Viberzi treatment, including two deaths occurring in patients without a gallbladder.
March 2017 – The FDA issues a drug safety communication warning that patients without a gallbladder should not take Viberzi, after a review of the agency’s adverse event databased found that these patients may face an increased risk of serious pancreatitis possibly leading to hospitalization and death.
January 2016 – The New England Journal of Medicine publishes a study finding that Viberzi appears to reduce IBS-D symptoms for some patients for at least six months. However, there is only a 10% benefit between the Viberzi group and the placebo group, and the researchers report several adverse events in the Viberzi group, including pancreatitis, abdominal pain associated with abrupt increases in liver enzymes, and sphincter of Oddi spasms.
Drug manufacturing companies are responsible for the safety of their medications, and should be held accountable for manufacturing and marketing defective drugs that put patients at risk for serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Future Viberzi lawsuits brought against Allergan will likely accuse the drug maker of the following:
The FDA estimates that, between May 2015 and July 2016, approximately 64,000 Viberzi prescriptions were dispensed to patients, which means tens of thousands of people across the country taking Viberzi could be at risk for serious side effects, like pancreatitis possibly leading to pancreatic cancer, hospitalization or death. Compensation may be available to individuals who developed pancreatitis or other severe complications while taking Viberzi, as well as their surviving loved ones. Contact an experienced Viberzi injury lawyer today to discuss the possibility of filing a Vibzeri lawsuit against Allergan.
