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Over the last 20 years, the number of Americans with diabetes of every type has increased exponentially. With that, pharmaceutical companies have scrambled to produce medications that can help diabetics live normal, low maintenance lives. Gone are the days of multiple finger sticks per day and multiple insulin shots every day.
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes, as well as a related fourth class known as ‘pre-diabetes‘. While many patients use diabetes medications with no issues, some have endured further illness, even cancer and wrongful death due to the harms associated with certain diabetes medications.
If you or a family member have been injured due to a diabetes misdiagnosis or a medication injury, you may qualify for financial compensation. The medical malpractice team at Shelsby & Leoni will charge you nothing unless we are unable to recover compensation for you and your loved ones. It is essential that patients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of diabetes medications.
Types of Diabetes Medications
There are dozens of different diabetes drugs and different classes of diabetes meds. These include:
- Biguanides
- Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors or Gliflozins
- Thiazolidinedione (TZD) or Glitazones
- Glinides or Meglatinides
- Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors or Gliptins
- Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors
- Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonist or Incretins
- Insulins
Many diabetes and weight loss drugs have been linked to serious side effects, including kidney failure, cancer, and stomach paralysis. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Trulicity have been linked to serious side effects, including gastroparesis and vision loss; the main focus of Ozempic lawsuits is gastrointestinal problems, but some lawyers are also investigating claims for vision loss.
Regardless of what type of diabetes you have or what medicines you take to manage it, if you have suffered an injury or illness due to a misdiagnosis, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the doctor who prescribed it or, in some cases, against the drug company who made it.
Side Effects of Diabetes Medications
The type of diabetes medicine you take, and the type of diabetes you have, are related to the possible side effects, injuries and illnesses caused. These can be:
- Ketoacidosis
- Lactoacidosis
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Kidney failure, kidney disease and renal failure
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver cancer and liver failure
- Heart attack as well as congestive heart failure
- Bone breaks and fractures
- Amputation and loss of limbs
- Accidental and wrongful death
Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by delayed stomach emptying, which can lead to severe vomiting and other gastrointestinal issues. Patients taking GLP-1 drugs have reported experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues, including gastroparesis and intestinal blockages. Lawsuits related to these side effects are being filed, including gastroparesis lawsuits, and the current multidistrict litigation (MDL) is focused on claims related to severe gastrointestinal injuries, including gastroparesis and ileus. Other serious side effects linked to GLP-1 drugs include gallbladder disease, deep vein thrombosis, non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. These lawsuits involve claims for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Can a Diabetes Medication Injury Lawyer Help Me?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a central role in regulating diabetes medications to ensure they are safe and effective for patients. However, not all potential risks are always included on a drug’s label, which can leave both patients and healthcare providers unaware of certain dangers. Drug manufacturers are required to update their product labels when new risks are identified, but sometimes these updates come only after adverse event reports have accumulated.
When drug manufacturers fail to provide adequate warnings about the potential risks of their products, they can be held legally responsible for the harm caused under product liability law.
If you or a loved one has experienced serious injuries after taking a diabetes medication, you may be entitled to seek compensatory damages through products liability litigation. These legal claims can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering caused by the drug’s side effects. It is crucial for patients to understand their rights and to consult with experienced legal professionals who can help determine if a drug manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risks associated with their medication.
To learn more about how our product liability lawyers can help, schedule a free consultation with us today.
