Byetta Side EffectsThe most common side effects of Byetta (exenatide) include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects can lead to dehydration, kidney damage, or kidney failure. Byetta side effects also include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Researchers are currently investigating the risk of cancer, including pancreatic cancer or thyroid cancer.

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.

What is Byetta?

Byetta (exenatide) was developed by the drug companies Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co. It was released on the U.S. market in 2005, and more than 7 million prescriptions for Byetta were written by 2009. Byetta mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps lower blood-sugar levels. This prevents spikes in blood-sugar after a diabetic person eats a meal.

Byetta Side Effect Information

Common Byetta side effects include:

  • Low blood-sugar levels
  • Upset stomach
  • Acid reflux
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Dizziness, headache, jitteriness
  • Hair loss
  • Weakness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss

Severe Byetta side effects include:

  • Pancreatitis
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Kidney damage
  • Kidney failure, renal impairment
  • Death

Byetta and Pancreatitis

In October 2007 and August 2008, FDA published two Drug Safety Communications to warn about the potential risk of pancreatitis in Byetta patients, including the most life-threatening forms of the disease:

  • Acute Pancreatitis: Sudden, severe inflammation of the pancreas. Requires hospitalization.
  • Hemorrhagic pancreatitis: Inflammation that also causes bleeding in the pancreas.
  • Necrotizing pancreatitis: Death of pancreatic tissue. High risk of infection, tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

In 2007, the FDA warned that they had received 30 reports of pancreatitis in Byetta patients. In 2008, this warning was updated because they received 6 more reports of the most severe forms of pancreatitis linked to Byetta. Most people who suffered this severe Byetta side effect required hospitalization. Furthermore, at least 2 deaths have been attributed to Byetta-induced pancreatitis.

Byetta and Cancer

One of the most serious potential Byetta side effects is cancer. The link between Byetta and cancer is still under investigation. In 2009, the FDA asked the drug companies that sell Byetta to conduct 6 studies to research the risk of pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.

Furthermore, according to a 2011 study published in Gastroenterology, there were 375 cases of cancer reported in patients who were taking Byetta between 2004 and 2009. The most commonly reported types of cancer were:

  • Pancreatic cancer: This cancer was found to be 2.9-times more common in Byetta patients; 81 cases were reported.
  • Thyroid cancer: This cancer was found to be 4.7-times more common in Byetta patients; 30 cases were reported.

However, the lead researcher on the study, Dr. Peter Butler, cautioned:

“This analysis of the FDA database does not establish that pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer are caused by GLP-1 therapy. It simply raises the level of concern that they may be, and that the appropriate prospective studies are required to rule them out.”

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.

Meet Your Attorney

Collen A. Clark

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.”

To contact Collen, please fill out the contact form below:

Free Confidential Case Evaluation

Verified 100% Secure SiteTo contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (866) 879-3040.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.