Byetta Side Effects Lawyers

FDA Warns Byetta is Related to Fatal pancreatitis.

After several August 2008 deaths, more victims hospitalized with hemorrhagic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas with bleeding) or necrotizing pancreatitis (in which the inflamed pancreas destroys itself) and well over thirty people hospitalized, the FDA saw the need to strengthen the warning label of the diabetes drug Byetta. All of the patients were on Byetta.

Doctors urge that Byetta should be promptly discontinued if pancreatitis is suspected. The label is currently in the process of being revamped, but currently warns that "Postmarketing cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported in patients treated with BYETTA. Patients should be informed that persistent severe abdominal pain, which may be accompanied by vomiting, is the hallmark symptom of acute pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, BYETTA and other potentially suspect drugs should be discontinued, confirmatory tests performed and appropriate treatment initiated. Resuming treatment with BYETTA is not recommended if pancreatitis is confirmed and an alternative etiology for the pancreatitis has not been identified."

The presence of unexplained, severe abdominal pain, with or without nausea and vomiting, raises the suspicion of acute pancreatitis, a potentially serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. Any patients taking Byetta should promptly seek medical care if they experience unexplained severe abdominal pain with or without nausea and vomiting.

What is pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas releases enzymes to help your body digest food and releases hormones, such as insulin, which help regulate your blood glucose (sugar).

• Acute pancreatitis usually begins soon after the damage to the pancreas begins. Attacks are typically very mild, but about 20% of them are very severe. An attack lasts for a short time and usually resolves completely as the pancreas returns to its normal state. Some people have only one attack, whereas other people have more than one attack, but the pancreas always returns to its normal state. Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly, usually with mild to severe pain in your upper abdomen that may radiate to your back and occasionally to your chest. The pain may be nearly constant for hours or even days. Other signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
  
  
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Rapid pulse
  • Swollen, tender abdomen
  • In severe cases, dehydration and low blood pressure, internal bleeding, and shock
  • Chronic pancreatitis begins as acute pancreatitis. If the pancreas becomes scarred during the attack of acute pancreatitis, it cannot return to its normal state. Damage continues, worsening over time, and symptoms can include those above, including weight loss.

    If you or a loved on has suffered from pancreatitis from taking Byetta, it is highly important you seek aggressive and experienced legal advice. The pharmaceutical litigation lawyers of Masry & Vititoe have many years of experience with dealing with the large pharmaceutical companies. You deserve monetary compensation for your injuries, and it is your duty as a consumer to hold the negligent company responsible. Please call today.

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