Byetta Studies

Numerous studies of Byetta (exenatide), an injectable anti-diabetes drug, have found higher risks of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Some studies also indicate increased risks of pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, and kidney failure associated with Byetta.

Do I Have a Texas Byetta Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by Byetta, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Byetta lawsuit in Texas.

Study of Byetta and Pancreatitis

In May 2010, the Annals of Pharmacotherapy published a study that associated pancreatitis with Byetta and other drugs that mimic GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). These drugs treat diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to secrete extra insulin, which could potentially cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in some patients. At the time of publication, Byetta was linked to 8 cases of acute pancreatitis in clinical trials and 36 post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis.

Study of Byetta Risks in Gastroenterology

In 2011, the journal Gastroenterology published a Byetta study that investigated the risk of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer. Researchers from UCLA looked at adverse events submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch program between 2004 and 2009.

They found the following diseases and odds ratios associated with Byetta vs. other therapies:

• Pancreatitis: 971 events, 10.7-fold increased risk
• Pancreatitis (2006 and prior): 152 events, 2.57-fold increased risk
• Pancreatic cancer: 81 events, 2.95-fold increased risk
• Thyroid cancer: 30 events, 4.73-fold increased risk
• All cancer events: 375 events, 1.08-fold increased risk

This study was published online in February 2011. Two weeks after its publication, drug-makers Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co. sent a letter to the editor-in-chief of the paper. The letters expressed concern that the conclusions of the paper were “unjustified” and could spark an unnecessary health scare. This resulted in the withdrawal of the article.

FDA Requires More Byetta Studies

In 2008, the U.S. Food and Administration (FDA) published a Safety Communication to warn about the potential risk of pancreatitis (including hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis). They also required the drug-maker, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, to conduct six post-marketing surveillance studies to investigate the link between Byetta and pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. These studies may take several years to complete, because pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer are very rare, and diabetes itself is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Do I have a Byetta Lawsuit in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free Texas Byetta lawsuit review.