Byetta® Linked to Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer
Byetta is a diabetes drug that may increase the possibility of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The FDA began issuing healthcare provider alerts in 2007 that Byetta may present an increased risk of pancreatitis in Byetta users. In 2011, University of California researchers found that Byetta users had three times the risk of pancreatic cancer.
How Byetta May Cause Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer
Byetta is also known as exenatide and helps the body control blood sugar levels. Byetta affects the GLP-1 metabolic pathway, which is in the pancreas. GLP-1 drugs can increase chronic inflammation, encourage cell proliferation, reduce normal cell degradation, change cell responses, inhibit the immune systems ability to fight cancer, reduce normal cell death, which make cancer more likely.
Byetta Lawsuits Already Filed
At this point, there have been no jury awards for Byetta causing pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. However, Byetta lawsuits have been filed in California, which is the MDL for Byetta litigation. An MDL is multidistrict litigation.
Legal Help for Victims of Byetta
Woods & Woods has partnered with law firms around the country to help victims of medicine injuries. Woods & Woods was founded in 1985 to help injured people. We offer free legal consultations on Byetta injuries. If you want justice for yourself or a loved one simply fill out the contact form or call toll-free 1-866-232-5777.
Sources
Food and Drug Administration
U.S. National Library of Medicine