FDA Issues Further Warning on Diabetes Drug Byetta

Yesterday, the FDA issued additional warnings regarding the drug Byetta, which is an injectable drug used twice a day to help patients who have type 2 diabetes. This was reported in both the New York Times and by ABC News. Back in October of last year, the FDA issued its first Information to Healthcare Professionals alerting physicians to the concern that patients taking this drug were reported to come down with acute pancreatitis, which is a very painful and potentially deadly infection of the pancreas. At that time, the FDA had received 30 reports of patients taking Byetta contracting acute pancreatitis.
Since then the FDA has received another 6 reports of acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta. All of these patients had to be hospitalized and 2 died. The FDA has warned that if patients taking this drug come down with symptoms of unexplained and continuous severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, the use of Byetta should be stopped immediately. If you are taking this drug and do have any of these symptoms, contact your treating doctor immediately. At this time, the FDA is working with the maker of Byetta to add stronger and more prominent warnings.
Our firm assists individuals who have been injured by drugs or medical devices. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us. I will continue to keep you up to date on further information provided regarding Byetta.