Byetta: Dangerous Diabetes Medication

Special Alert: August 2008

Byetta Pancreas Problems

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it wants to strengthen warning labels on the type 2 diabetes drug, Byetta. The agency received reports of six patients dying after suffering from either hemorrhagic pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas with bleeding - or necrotizing pancreatitis, where the inflamed pancreas destroys itself.

These label changes come months after October 2007 reports of 30 Byetta users developing potentially deadly pancreatitis. At the time, the FDA announced that one of the drug's manufacturers, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, would include information on acute pancreatitis in the "precautions" section of the drug's label. The FDA is now seeking stronger, more prominent warning labels.

What is Byetta?

Byetta, known generically as exenatide, is an injectable diabetes medication that controls blood sugar levels. The drug is intended to aid the pancreas in efficiently producing insulin. Byetta is manufactured and marketed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company. The medication was approved by the FDA in 2005.

Possible Side Effects of Taking Byetta

The following symptoms can indicate an allergic reaction to Byetta and require emergency medical care:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, face, or throat
• Severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with nausea, vomiting, and a fast heart rate

Less Serious Side Effects Associated With Byetta:

• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling jittery

Overview of Byetta

Byetta first received widespread public attention in October 2007 after 30 patients developed pancreatitis after using the drug. Twenty-one people were hospitalized, and as a result, Amylin Pharmaceuticals announced that it would include information on pancreatitis in the "precautions" section of Byetta's label.

On August 19, 2008, the FDA announced that it had received six new reports of pancreatic hemorrhaging in Byetta users. Two of the patients died and the remaining four had to be hospitalized. The FDA said that it was working on drafting stronger label warnings with Amylin and Eli Lilly.

Two days later, the first lawsuit against Byetta's manufacturers was filed in San Diego by a Virginia man. The lawsuit claims that the companies failed to adequately test for and monitor the side effects of the dangerous medication. Furthermore, it alleges that Amylin and Eli Lilly did not warn doctors and patients about the risk of developing pancreatitis because information on the deadly side effect was initially placed in the "precautions" section of the drug label and not the "warnings" section.

On August 26, 2008, Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals reported four additional deaths in patients using Byetta. The patients suffered from milder forms of pancreatitis.

You Need Experienced Lawyers Who Understand Dangerous Drug Cases to Fight On Your Side

If you or a loved one have been hurt due to taking Byetta, you need to act quickly. When our drug injury attorneys and staff get involved with your case, we immediately get to work investigating the cause of your drug reaction and fighting for your legal rights to fair compensation.