Byetta Lawsuits
August 19th, 2008 • Filed Under: Featured, Lawsuits • 10 Comments
The use of the diabetes drug Byetta has been linked to the development of serious and potentially fatal pancreatitis. The FDA issued alerts in October 2007 and August 2008 warning doctors about the possible link between side effects of Byetta and pancreatitis.
BYETTA LAWSUIT STATUS: Based on reports of acute, hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis among users, potential Byetta lawsuits are being considered and reviewed by lawyers.
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MANUFACTURERS: Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co.
OVERVIEW: Byetta (exenatide) is a type 2 diabetes drug which was approved by the FDA in April 2005 to help reduce blood sugar levels. It is a subcutaneous injection administered twice a day, which has been taken by over 700,000 people in the United States.
The drug belongs to a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, which mimic the action of endogenous incretin hormones like GIP and GLP-1, which are found in the gastrointestinal tract. Byetta lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells.
BYETTA PANCREATITIS SIDE EFFECTS: In October 2007, the FDA issued an alert about an association between Byetta and pancreatitis, which could lead to fatal injuries for some users. At that time, the FDA had received at least 30 reports of acute pancreatitis associated with Byetta, and the manufacturer agreed to update the warning label about this potential Byetta side effect.
In August 2008, a second FDA alert was issued to inform healthcare providers about six additional cases of necrotizing pancreatitis or hemorrhagic pancreatitis which had been reported among Byetta users. At least two of these cases resulted in fatal injuries for the user.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause symptoms like:
- Severe upper abdominal pain which may radiate through the back
- Nausea and Vomiting
- High or Low Blood Pressure
- Elevated Heart or Respiratory Rates
Hemorrhagic pancreatitis is a severe form of the condition where massive erosion of blood vessels can lead to severe bleeding.
Necrotizing pancreatitis involves tissue damage, which leads to the release of toxins and enzymes into the blood stream and may cause multi-organ failure and death.
The FDA has recommended that healthcare providers monitor their patients who are receiving Byetta and the drug should be stopped if pancreatitis is suspected. If someone develops pancreatitis or has a history of the condition, the FDA indicates that a different diabetes treatment should be used. Individuals receiving the drug have also been urged to report any potential Byetta side effects, including unexplained severe abdominal pain, either with or without bleeding.
Pingback by FDA Warns of Additional Byetta Pancreatitis Reports : AboutLawsuits.com on 19 August 2008:
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Pingback by Byetta Lawsuit Filed For Pancreatitis : AboutLawsuits.com on 21 August 2008:
[...] PagesFDA Warns of Additional Byetta Pancreatitis Reports Byetta LawsuitsRapamune (sirolimus) Lawsuits Filed Under: News Tags: Byetta • Diabetes • [...]
Comment by Sonji on 8 October 2008:
I started Byetta in May 2008. I thought this was a wonder drug. My blood sugars were normal for a change. However, in June 2008, I developed severe abdominal pain and was hospitalized. I was dx with a small bowel obstruction and pancreatitis. The hospitalist stopped my byetta because of the reports he had heard regarding the use of Byetta and pancreatitis. Four month later, I still have GI problems and have been told this is probaly due to the Byetta.
Comment by Linda on 14 October 2008:
around october 2003 my dr. put me on byetta. In February 2005 I had to have my right kidney removed andon May 27, 2007 i had to go on dialysis.
Comment by Brigitte on 22 October 2008:
In 2006-2007 I was on Byetta. At first it really helped my blood sugar and I ate less. But I was always sick with abdominal pain which I thought it would pass but never did. I still have GI problems to this day.
Comment by Linda on 31 October 2008:
I being for the last five months having chest pains and my EKG test has being unnormal. I being recommed to go too a heart doctor. I’m 43 years of age and, I have never had problems, before taken Byetta.
Pingback by FDA Requires Additional Byetta Safety Data Before Considering Long-Acting Version : AboutLawsuits.com on 5 November 2008:
[...] Byetta (exenatide) is a synthetic hormone sold in a pre-filled pen by Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. The type 2 diabetes drug, which is currently administered twice a day as a subcutaneous injection, lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatitis cells. [...]
Pingback by Concerns About Byetta Deaths Require Amylin to Cut Work Force : AboutLawsuits.com on 12 November 2008:
[...] which has recently been associated with 6 deaths caused by severe cases of pancreatitis. Byetta (exenatide) is a synthetic incretin mimetic, which is sold in a pre-filled pen by Amylin [...]
Comment by Jennifer on 12 November 2008:
I began taking Byetta in December of 2007, and continued to take it until April of 2008. Though it worked wonders at lowering my blood sugar levels in combination with my Glipizide, it made me sick to my stomach with serious abdominal pain. In August of this year my pills completely stopped working, causing my sugar levels to soar into the 500’s on nearly a daily basis, and I was informed that my pancreas had completely stopped working, and there are threats of dialysis in the very near future. I am going to have additional tests run this week, but I need to know if anyone else has had issues like this after taking this drug?
Comment by patty on 13 November 2008:
I started taking byetta in july of 07. It worked wonderful until aug of 08 when i developed severe pain and was taken to a local hospital where they transferred me to a bigger hospital. I am still having pain of and on and have to take morphine when it is severe.