Byetta (exenatide) is an injectable medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes – a health problem characterized by a person’s insulin resistance or insufficient levels of insulin in the body, medical experts say. Often used in conjunction with other diabetes drugs, Byetta essentially functions by helping the pancreas efficiently produce insulin – hormones that aid the body utilize glucose for energy, and responsible for the regulation of blood sugar levels in the body.
Prescribed to millions of diabetes patients in the United States, Byetta has reportedly become of one the most popular diabetes drugs following its release into the market in 2005. However, Byetta, along with other new diabetic drugs, has been the subject of several studies which suggest a possible link between Byetta intake and an increased risk for serious adverse effects, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, among users. Ever since then, a number of Byetta lawsuits have also started to mount, piling up against major drug manufacturer Amylin Pharmaceuticals.
Findings from a preliminary study by California-based researchers, which was published in the July 2011 issue of Gastroenterology, reportedly suggest that more than six-fold increase in reported cases of pancreatitis, and 2.9-fold increase in pancreatic cancer may be linked to Byetta intake by diabetic study participants. Byetta may also be linked to more reported cases of thyroid cancer, according to previous online media reports.
Another research team, whose findings were recently published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, also revealed that Byetta and other newer diabetes drugs from a class called glucagon-like peptide-1-based (GLP-1) may also double patients’ risk of developing pancreatitis, as do other medications formulated to help control blood sugar.
The research team further revealed that those who took the GLP-1 drugs may stand at a greater risk of acute pancreatitis within the first 60 days of taking the drugs than the other group of patients.
Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration reportedly released a health advisory informing patients and medical professionals their motion to probe safety concerns that ties Byetta and other newer diabetes drugs to pancreatic complications in patients. In the meantime, patients are still advised to adhere to their treatment unless their prescribing doctor advises otherwise.
Sources:
Prescribed to millions of diabetes patients in the United States, Byetta has reportedly become of one the most popular diabetes drugs following its release into the market in 2005. However, Byetta, along with other new diabetic drugs, has been the subject of several studies which suggest a possible link between Byetta intake and an increased risk for serious adverse effects, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, among users. Ever since then, a number of Byetta lawsuits have also started to mount, piling up against major drug manufacturer Amylin Pharmaceuticals.
Findings from a preliminary study by California-based researchers, which was published in the July 2011 issue of Gastroenterology, reportedly suggest that more than six-fold increase in reported cases of pancreatitis, and 2.9-fold increase in pancreatic cancer may be linked to Byetta intake by diabetic study participants. Byetta may also be linked to more reported cases of thyroid cancer, according to previous online media reports.
Another research team, whose findings were recently published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, also revealed that Byetta and other newer diabetes drugs from a class called glucagon-like peptide-1-based (GLP-1) may also double patients’ risk of developing pancreatitis, as do other medications formulated to help control blood sugar.
The research team further revealed that those who took the GLP-1 drugs may stand at a greater risk of acute pancreatitis within the first 60 days of taking the drugs than the other group of patients.
Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration reportedly released a health advisory informing patients and medical professionals their motion to probe safety concerns that ties Byetta and other newer diabetes drugs to pancreatic complications in patients. In the meantime, patients are still advised to adhere to their treatment unless their prescribing doctor advises otherwise.
Sources:
- diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/insulin/insulin-basics.html
- mayoclinic.org/diabetes/types.html
- drugs.com/byetta.html
- usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/medical/story/2011-09-23/Popular-diabetes-drugs-may-raise-pancreatic-cancer-risk-study-suggests/50531776/1
- nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_134341.html
- fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm343805.htm
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