Viberzi, also known as eluxadoline, is a drug sold by U.S. pharmaceutical company Allergan for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea in adults.
Viberzi is a controlled substance that reduces diarrhea by activating receptors in the stomach and intestines to limit bowel contractions.
Viberzi was approved by the FDA in May of 2015. Since then, it has been prescribed to more than 100,000 patients.
In March of 2017, the FDA warned that Viberzi should no longer be prescribed to those patients who’ve had their gallbladder removed, as it may increase the risk of serious pancreatitis.
Already, the FDA has received over 120 reports of patient hospitalization or death from taking Viberzi. The majority of victims did not have a gallbladder and, in many cases, the onset of symptoms started within days of taking the medication.
Allergan marketed Viberzi as a safe treatment for IBS in those patients with no gallbladder, and even recommended a specific dose for these patients. However, they didn’t perform the necessary studies to determine if there were special risks for these patients, and failed to tell them about the dangers.
Since Allergan marketed a dangerous product, and didn’t properly warn patients about the risks, they have a responsibility to compensate those who were harmed. Lawyers are now helping those affected by pancreatitis after taking Viberzi file lawsuits.
Patients who’ve taken Actemra and experienced any of the following side effects may qualify for a lawsuit:
The FDA has warned that anyone noticing symptoms of pancreatitis after taking Viberzi should stop taking the drug and seek immediate medical attention.
So far, lawyers are only filing individual claims for those affected, rather than one single Viberzi class action lawsuit. This is done for several reasons. First, individual lawsuits can be consolidated into a central federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) court once there is sufficient volume, which gives victims many of the advantages of a class action without the limitations.
Second, by filing individual cases, plaintiffs may still make important decisions such as which lawyer to choose and whether to proceed to trial or settle. Lastly, individual lawsuits filed in an MDL often result in greater compensation to victims than class action lawsuits.
Since the FDA warning affects several thousand patients, a large number of claims are expected.
Lawsuit values change depending on a number of factors, and this is the same with each Viberzi lawsuit. First, value depends heavily on the severity of the victims pancreatitis, and how much treatment is needed. Obviously, claims for death from pancreatitis are worth substantially more.
Also, the patient’s age and how long they took the medication will be a factor. Finally, the court district chosen for the lawsuit, the rulings of the judge and the aggressiveness of the victims lawyer can all affect the outcome of the case.
Due to the severity of pancreatitis and risk of death, lawyers expect some of these lawsuits will seek compensation into the millions of dollars.
The first step in filing a claim starts with talking to a lawyer. By contacting DrugNews, you can speak with a lawyer today at no cost. They can ask a few important questions and determine if your case qualifies for further investigation that same day.
After you talk with a lawyer specializing in these cases and agree to let them represent you, they can begin gathering evidence such as pharmacy, insurance and medical records. This is all in preparation for filing a formal lawsuit. Due to busy court dockets, it may take a year or more to reach trial or negotiate a settlement.
Remember, though, it is usually not necessary for you to travel anywhere during the process, you won’t be responsible for any attorney’s fees or case costs unless you receive compensation.
Lawsuits against the Viberzi maker Allergan.
This case, along with nearly 200 others filed in Florida during 2016, alleges that Allergan was complicit in defrauding women into undergoing unnecessary breast revision surgery after doctors told them their implants had developed leaks.
Court records show that, although the failure rate of the company’s implants was only around 1.2%, they continued to support warranty claims for revision surgeries by local doctors who performed more than 5,500 of these procedures.
In 2016 Allergan agreed to pay $38 million to settle federal charges against subsidiary Forest Pharmaceuticals of paying kickbacks to doctors in order to promote three different medications between 2008 and 2011.
The company allegedly compensated doctors with lucrative speaking engagements for prescribing the drugs Bystolic, Namenda and Savella.
In 2015, the parents of 21-year-old Mandy Fortuna filed a lawsuit in Vermont against Allergan alleging that the company’s drug Botox contributed to her death. She had been given Botox injections to control leg spasms associated with her cerebral palsy.
The suit followed a 2014 jury award in Vermont of $6.75 million to a family whose son developed epilepsy after receiving Botox injections for his cerebral palsy from the same doctor.
Latest news on Viberzi.
A dedicated lawyer will offer to come to your home for a meeting, collect all important records and evidence for you, and appear at all court meetings on your behalf. So the chances of you ever having to leave home for your case are slim.
Lastly, you should choose the lawyer that earns your trust. This means taking the time to talk with you, returning your calls in a reasonable time, and keeping you updated on the status of your case.
Above all, DO NOT SIGN anything from the maker of Viberzi or their representatives before first talking to a lawyer. While agreeing to a quick release, or settlement may seem convenient, this could prevent you from recovering the substantial compensation you may be owed.
DrugNews has spent years finding law firms that specialize only in pharmaceutical injury lawsuits, and have handled thousands of these cases across the country. Contact us today to learn more, and to talk with a lawyer.
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