Byetta

Byetta Injury Lawyers

Have you or a loved one suffered from negative health effects from using the prescription drug Byetta? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Since opening our doors in 1981, our attorneys have built a reputation for success in pharmaceutical litigation cases. We are here to stand up for the rights of people harmed by the negligence of drug companies. Let us stand for you. We are available to serve clients in our home city of Houston, Texas and throughout the country.

Overview

Byetta® (exenatide) is an injectable medication used to treat Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Byetta is manufactured by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April 2005 to help reduce blood sugar levels. Byetta reduces blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells.

The use of Byetta has recently been linked to reports of serious and potentially life threatening injuries, including pancreatitis, impaired kidney dysfunction and kidney failure.  Read our Byetta Frequently Asked Questions. 

Byetta and Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, infection, and/or death may occur. Symptoms of pancreatitis may include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Swollen or tender abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Rapid pulse
• High or low blood pressure

In October 2007, following the receipt of at least 30 reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta, the FDA issued an alert about an association between Byetta use and pancreatitis. The manufacturers agreed to update the Byetta product label to warn of this potential side effect. In August 2008, the FDA issued a second alert about an additional six reports of necrotizing pancreatitis or hemorrhagic pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta, two of which were fatal. 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. Hemorrhagic pancreatitis is a severe form of the condition where erosion of blood vessels can lead to severe bleeding.

The FDA warned healthcare professionals to discontinue Byetta if pancreatitis is suspected. If pancreatitis is confirmed, the FDA advised healthcare professionals not to restart Byetta following treatment.

Byetta and Kidney Failure

Kidney (renal) failure occurs when the kidneys fail to function adequately. In November 2009, the FDA announced that the Byetta label would be revised to include new safety information about possible kidney function problems, including kidney failure in patients taking Byetta. The FDA received 78 reports of problems with kidney function, including 62 reports of kidney failure, in patients using Byetta between April 2005 and October 2008. The FDA announced new safety information relating to these post-marketing reports of altered kidney function, including acute renal failure and insufficiency, would be added to the Byetta label. The most common side effects suffered by those taking Byetta were nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which may have contributed to the development of altered kidney function. The FDA warned healthcare providers and patients to watch for signs of Byetta-related kidney problems, which may include:

• Changes in urination (color, frequency, amount)
• Unexplained swelling in the extremities
• Changes in blood pressure
• Lethargy
• Changes in appetite or digestion
• Dull ache in mid to lower back

The FDA also warned healthcare professionals to use caution when initiating Byetta treatment in patients with moderate renal impairment and to monitor patients carefully for the development of kidney dysfunction.

To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced pharmaceutical product liability attorney, e-mail or call us at 866-941-1947.

We handle all Byetta-related injury cases on a contingency basis.