Pharmaceutical Litigation Attorneys

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Byetta (active ingredient exenatide) for the treatment of type II diabetes in 2005. Given via injection, millions of individuals have taken Byetta in an effort to lower blood sugar levels. Despite its federal approval, Byetta has proven to be a drug that is both defective and dangerous. An attorney can help you to file a claim for damages if you have taken Byetta and suffered harm as a result.  

Byetta Linked to Pancreatic Cancer & Thyroid Cancer

Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC is currently investigating cases for patients who have been diagnosed pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer while taking or after taking Byetta. These are potentially life-threatening conditions that may have a tremendous impact on a patient and his or her family, and we are prepared to seek financial compensation that can cover medical bills, lost income and the other losses and injuries associate with these side effects. Contact our offices today, or continue reading to learn more about this type 2 diabetes medication and the side effects it may cause. One of the most recent developments in Byetta side effects involves pancreatic cancer. According to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), evidence of pre-cancerous cellular changes were found in diabetic patients taking incretin mimetics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Drug Safety Communication regarding this new study in March of 2013, stating that the agency would evaluate the findings of this study. Incretin mimetics are a class of diabetic drugs, including Byetta, Januvia, Victoza and several others.  

About Byetta

Since it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005, millions of prescriptions for Byetta (exenatide) have been dispensed across the nation. From 2005 through 2009 alone, 7 million Byetta prescriptions were dispensed. Byetta is an injectable prescription medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, injected twice daily within 60 minutes before the first and last meals of the day. It stimulates the production of insulin in the pancreas and causes the stomach to empty itself more slowly. Combined with diet and exercise and possibly other diabetes medications, Byetta is meant to bring blood sugar to a more optimum level. Byetta is not a cure for type 2 diabetes, a condition that has been diagnosed in millions of Americans. It is instead meant to control this type of diabetes by stimulating insulin production. It is estimated that many more Americans are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes or are unaware that they are in the early stages of the condition. With the number of patients currently suffering from type 2 diabetes, it is no wonder that so many Byetta prescriptions have been written and filled. Unfortunately, as the drug increased in popularity it became evident that patients were suffering from serious side effects.  

Dangerous Side Effects of Byetta

Byetta has been linked to a number of serious health concerns, some of which may be fatal if left untreated. These include:
  • Kidney problems, including kidney failure; and
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) severe enough to lead to death.
In fact, between the years of 2005 and 2008, the FDA received 78 reports of patients who had developed kidney problems as a direct result of taking Byetta. Of these, 18 required dialysis, two required kidney transplants, and four died.  

Do I Have a Cause of Action Against Byetta’s Manufacturer?

If you believe that you have been harmed as a direct result of taking Byetta, you may have a cause of action against Byetta’s manufacturer—Amylin Pharmaceuticals—or another party along the manufacturing or distribution chain. In order to recover damages in a civil action, you will have to prove the negligence of the drug’s manufacturer, and that the defective drug caused you harm. Examples of negligence may include:
  • Failure to adequately test Byetta prior to release;
  • Failure to disclose data illustrating Byetta’s risk;
  • Failure to make risks known (providing warning); or/and
  • Manufacturing and distributing a dangerous drug despite known risks.
You will also have to prove that your damages would not have been incurred but for taking Byetta.  

Take Legal Action Now to Recover Damages

Although Byetta is still approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults, it is possible that patients may experience serious and life-changing side effects. Some may even be at risk of losing their lives from these. Those who have suffered injury of this kind may be entitled to financial compensation for pain, suffering, medical care and lost earnings. Future medical expenses and loss of future earnings may also be covered, depending on the case. Since 2000 alone, the attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC have recovered in excess of $2 billion in settlements and awards. We are fully committed to representing the interests of the injured, helping them seek justice in the wake of the physical pain, emotional trauma and financial losses they have experienced. We go up against the most formidable opponents, negotiating fair settlements and fighting for favorable verdicts in order to help our clients begin rebuilding and moving on with their lives. We are ready to see how we can help with your Byetta lawsuit and welcome you to contact a pharmaceutical litigation lawyer at our law office to discuss your rights and options. Your initial consultation is free. Depending upon the state in which you live, the statute of limitations for filing a defective drug claim is usually between two and four years from the date of discovery of illness. To ensure that you file a claim within the time limits, make sure you contact the attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC as soon as possible. We are ready to meet with you today!
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