Pharmacist to Thank for Januvia Warning

La Crosse, WIWhen Robert was in the hospital with pneumonia two years ago, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and given a prescription for Januvia. Just five days after taking the diabetes drug, Robert was back in the hospital, this time in agony.

“I had only taken 50 mg of Januvia five times - just lucky for me that my pharmacist checked my medical history,” says Robert. “While I was in hospital, my pharmacy had mailed me a letter. Thank god my wife read it: she immediately called urgent care and told them not to give me any more Januvia.”

The letter said that Januvia should not be taken if you have gallstones or kidney stones. Robert’s pharmacist knew that he suffers from the latter. Meanwhile, the hospital diagnosed Robert with acute renal failure. “They must have spent thousands of dollars on tests: a number of CAT Scans and x-rays and even had an MRI,” he explains. “They released me on the third day and still had no answers regarding how I wound up with this diagnosis so I figured I had better do something. I requested a full medical examination and that was done the following month.”

Robert’s doctor said he should never have been prescribed Januvia, given his existing condition. So is the doctor or the manufacturer at fault?

“My understanding is that the doctor who prescribed Januvia should have had enough sense to look at my record before prescribing. Perhaps the manufacturer didn’t warn the medical community and patients about this issue - who is at risk. Errors are human but this is a big error. Four doctors didn’t know what was going on, and if it weren’t for that pharmacy phoning my wife, I would still be on Januvia and possibly wind up with Januvia pancreatitis. I sure thanked my pharmacist - I gave him an A+ for that call.

“I didn’t get cancer but someone has to pay this hospital bill. Sure, my insurance company covered it but ultimately I think the Januvia manufacturer should be held responsible.

“Years ago I was prescribed Lipitor; it took only two days before I had a negative reaction: this drug made me feel worse than before. I called my doctor and asked what I should do with the remaining pills; should I flush them down the toilet? She said don’t do that because they are toxic and they could kill fish. Well what does that do for humans? I certainly didn’t flush Januvia down the toilet.

“Lucky for me, I didn’t get Januvia cancer. I just hope those people who are worse off than me for taking this drug get some satisfaction from a Januvia lawsuit.”