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Last week the public learned of 6 more reported cases of pancreatitis and 2 deaths possibly connected to use of the type 2 diabetes drug Byetta. The first reports of a possible connection came in October of 2007. Now Amylin and Eli Lilly, makers of the drug, have announced the deaths of 4 more people who had been taking Byetta. Tuesday night, Amylin attempted to reassure patients and physicians of the drugs safety. Our expert, Dr. Bill Quick, believes they failed. Read more here: A Failure of Vigilance.
It is unclear whether or not these deaths were primarily related the use of Byetta. Lilly's medical director, James Malone, reported that, "All four patients had complicated medical conditions in addition to type 2 diabetes." These conditions ranged from leukemia to gallstones.
Eli Lilly and Amylin continue to look into the association between pancreatitis and Byetta. As of now, no causual relationship has been proven.
For the full story click here.
For more insights from our experts on this continuing story see:
A Byetta Pancreatitis Perspective by David Mendosa
Living Longer with Byetta by David Mendosa
and
FDA Warns of Possible Link Of Byetta and Pancreatitis by Dr. Bill Quick
Click here for a complete Byetta drug informationn guide.
Hi Laura,
Thank you for posting this warning. I was on Byetta a few years back. I stopped taking it because it was so expensive even with Insurance. I am T2 and now take 2,000 mg of Metformin and 45 mg of Actos daily.
In the article they said that the Byetta-pancreatitis was not the "primary cause of death." I don't believe that for one second.
Quote from the article-On Aug. 18, the FDA said two deaths had resulted from six recent cases of pancreatitis among Byetta users.
Plus six more! It is not coincidence (sp) that the patients were all on Byetta and they all suffered from pancreatits.
I feel very concerned that we as diabetics have to put our trust into the hands of the pharmaceutical companies. Who I believe with such high competition, that they rush to get the "newest-fastest" product on the market, and all the while we are used as guinea pigs.
Just my 2 cents worth.
HUGS~Donna