Byetta Side Effects
The diabetes drug Byetta has been linked to an increased risk of a serious and potentially deadly form of pancreatitis. The Food and Drug Administration has received reports of at least 36 patients who developed acute pancreatitis while using Byetta. Six of these patients were diagnosed with a more severe form of the disease, known as hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. Two of these patients later died as a result of their illnesses.
The pancreas is a gland located near the liver that is responsible releasing insulin into the bloodstream to regulate the body’s blood-sugar levels. The pancreas also releases enzymes into the small intestines that help with the digestive process. Ordinarily, these enzymes do not become active until they reach the intestines. However, when the pancreas is inflamed, it can cause the enzymes to attack and damage the tissues of pancreas. This condition is known as pancreatitis.
A more severe form of the disease is known as hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. Hemorrhagic pancreatitis describes cases in which the inflammation of the pancreas leads to bleeding. In cases of necrotizing pancreatitis, tissue in the pancreas is actually attacked by enzymes which are normally released into the small intestines, destroying tissue in the pancreas itself. Both of these conditions can be fatal in some cases.
The most common symptoms of pancreatitis include fever, severe abdominal or back pain, nausea and vomiting. The FDA has advised patients who are taking Byetta to seek prompt medical attention if they develop any of these symptoms, which may be an indication of pancreatitis.
Many patients who are diagnosed with acute pancreatitis are admitted to the hospital in order to treat their condition. Your doctor may also place you on a special diet in order to allow your pancreas and intestines to heal. You may also be prescribed antibiotics, pain medication or anti-nausea drugs, depending on your condition.
After receiving reports of six patients who developed hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis while using Byetta, the FDA said that it would work with Amylin Pharmaceuticals, the drug’s manufacturer, to create a “stronger and more prominent” Byetta warning label to alert patients of the risk of this more serious form of pancreatitis. The drugs current label lists pancreatitis in its precautions section among several potential Byetta side effects.
In the week following the FDA’s call for a stronger Byetta warning label, Amylin announced that an additional four Byetta deaths had been uncovered among patients taking the drug. Despite the six Byetta deaths reported in less than a month, neither the FDA nor Amylin have announced plans to issue a Byetta recall.