The FDA issued a communication claiming Viberzi — a medicine used for patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea — could increase pancreatitis risk in patients without gallbladders.
Here's what you should know.
1. For patients without gallbladders, Viberzi has increased pancreatitis risk resulting in hospitalization or death.
2. Parsippany-Troy Hills, N.J.-based Allergan manufactures the drug. The FDA and Allergan are addressing potential safety concerns.
3. The FDA recommends patients talk to their providers about managing IBS-D, especially if they are without a gallbladder. If patients begin experiencing pain in their stomach, abdomen, upper right stomach-area, back or shoulder they should stop taking Viberzi.
4. The FDA urges providers to stop prescribing Viberzi in patients without gallbladders. Pancreatitis symptoms emerged after one or two doses of Viberzi at 75mgs.
5. From May 2015 to February 2017, 120 patients reported series cases of pancreatitis or death. Seventy-six patients were hospitalized and two have died.