FDA Warning for Diabetes Drug Byetta

The Food and Drug Administration released a report on Monday announcing that they have received six new reports that patients had developed a dangerous form of pancreatitis from taking the prescription drug Byetta. Two of patients had actually died and four were in recovery. Pancreatitis is a swelling of the pancreas, which causes vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea. Back in October the FDA had 30 reports of Byetta patients who developed pancreas problems. Although, none were fatal, it was decided to add information regarding the reports to the drug labels.

The FDA is now warning doctors to stop prescribing Byetta to patients with a history of pancreas problems and prescribe something else. At least 700,000 patients are currently taking the injectable drug that suffer from type II diabetes, which was launched in June 2005. Eli Lilly and San Diego-based Amylin jointly manufacture it and Amylin enjoyed total revenue of 80 percent last year due to Byetta. If you currently take this medication and have a history of pancreatic problems, talk with your doctor about the risks and possibility of being switched to another medication for your diabetes.