Byetta® Medication for Diabetes
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Byetta® is a prescription medication designed to treat patients suffering from type-2 diabetes. Used to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels, Byetta® (exenatide) is administered via an injection, usually in the morning and evening before meals.
Each Byetta® pen contains 60 doses of exenatide, and a Byetta® medication dose can be injected under the skin of the thigh, upper arm or abdomen. Within about 10 minutes of injecting Byetta® drugs, a diabetic's insulin levels will increase.
The Byetta® drug was first approved by the FDA and widely distributed in the U.S in April 2005. Eli Lily and Amylin Pharmaceuticals are the two companies that make and distribute Byetta® medications.
Potential Byetta® Medication Side Effects
Although Byetta® medication for diabetics can be effective, it may be linked to variety of mild to serious, life-threatening side effects.
Various forms of pancreatitis (including acute, hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis) are among the potential side effects. Causing an inflammation of the pancreas, pancreatitis can be fatal without prompt treatment.
To date, nearly 40 Byetta® patients have alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they have developed some type of pancreatitis while using of the Byetta® drug.
Milder Byetta® Medication Side Effects
More commonly, patients will only experience mild Byetta® medication side effects. These, which are listed on Byetta® drug information labels, can include:
• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• feeling anxious
• headache
• heartburn
• indigestion
• nausea
• vomiting
Byetta® Warnings
Following mounting patient complaints and 6 deaths associated with Byetta® use, the FDA issued a national Byetta® drug warning in October 2007 and, again, in August 2008.
In addition to alerting the public about Byetta® medication side effects, the Byetta® FDA warnings also mandated that Eli Lily and Amylin Pharmaceuticals include stricter warning labels on Byetta's® packaging.
Byetta® Lawsuits
The first Byetta® lawsuit was filed in San Diego, California, Aug. 19, 2008. According to court documents, the plaintiff, a man from Virginia, was seeking compensation after developing pancreatitis.
Prospective plaintiffs can find out if they have a case by setting up a free initial consultation with a Byetta® attorney. During this meeting, injured Byetta® patients can:
• Learn more about the process of pursuing a Byetta® lawsuit.
• Find out about settlements in cases similar to their own.
If You Believe You Have Been Injured by Byetta®
If you believe that you’ve been harmed by Byetta®, contact our law offices for legal help.
