Bydureon is a type-2 diabetes drug that has been linked to reports of pancreatitis, which is a serious inflammation in the pancreas. Experts are concerned that low-level inflammation could also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest types of cancer.
Do I Have a Texas Bydureon 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 diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: 84 Byetta/Bydureon Lawsuit Settlements Awarded in California
August 20, 2014 — AstraZeneca and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, LLC have agreed to an undisclosed settlement in 84 lawsuits involving Byetta and Bydureon. Approximately 409 lawsuits have been filed by people injured by pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer. Click here to read more.
Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits Centralized in Multi-District Litigation (MDL)
In August 2013, federal judges centralized pancreatic cancer lawsuits involving Byetta (exenatide), Januvia (sitagliptin), Janumet (sitagliptin and metformin), and Victoza (liraglutide). The Multi-District Litigation (MDL), which is similar to a class action, was established in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Plaintiffs in the litigation allege that drug-makers downplayed the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Bydureon Overview
Bydureon (exenatide) is the once-weekly, extended-release version of Byetta, which is a twice-daily injection drug. Both drugs are used to treat type-2 diabetes. The active ingredient, exenatide, works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). Bydureon is designed to make the pancreas secrete more insulin, which lowers blood-sugar levels and helps prevent hyperglycemia.
Black Box Warning: Bydureon Linked to Thyroid Cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a “Black Box” warning on the Prescribing Information for Bydureon to warn about the risk of thyroid cancer:
“Exenatide extended-release causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in rats. It is unknown whether Bydureon causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans.”
Bydureon Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
One of the first studies linking exenatide and pancreatic cancer was published in Gastroenterology in 2010. Researchers from UCLA reviewed the FDA adverse event database and found a 2.9-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Although the study had major limitations, it raised concern because exenatide directly targets the pancreas. In 2007, the FDA warned about reports of life-threatening pancreatitis in patients treated with exenatide. Pancreatitis is a risk-factor for pancreatic cancer.
In March 2013, the FDA issued yet another Drug Safety Communication after reviewing a study published in Diabetes. Researchers found evidence of extremely abnormal cell proliferation and pre-cancerous growths (microadenomas and a neuroendocrine tumor) in pancreases of diabetics who used drugs in the incretin mimetic class (such as exenatide) for at least one year.
Bydureon Side Effects
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic inflammation
- Hemorrhagic pancreatitis
- Necrotizing pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
Need a Byduron Lawyer in Texas?
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