The FDA announced yesterday that it has received 88 reports of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in patients taking the drugs Januvia (or Janumet). Many of these patients required hospitalization and 53% of the cases resolved once the drug was discontinued.
Since diabetics in general are at higher risk for pancreatitis, it remains unclear if the drug is to blame. A Merck official said reports that have emerged since the drug has been on the market don’t show an increased risk of pancreatitis associated with Januvia.
