Failure to Warn About Risk of Byetta Pancreas Cancer
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that may have been caused by side effects of Byetta or Bydureon.
Contact Our Lawyers About a BYETTA INJURY LAWSUIT
Information has been available to Amylin Pharmaceuticals for years about the potential link between Byetta and pancreatic cancer, yet the drug maker has withheld information from users and the medical community. Financial compensation may be available through a Byetta pancreatic cancer lawsuit as a result of the failure to warn about the potential risks associated with the type-2 diabetes drug,
To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Side Effects of Byetta and Pancreatic Cancer
Since Byetta (exenatide) was first introduced in April 2005, signs have existed that suggest there is a connection between pancreatic cancer and Byetta pen treatment. Amylin Pharmaceuticals knew or should have known that Byetta side effects increase the risk of asymptomatic, chronic pancreas inflammation, which could ultimately lead to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer for some users.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer of the diabetes injection has chosen to ignore safety signals and has failed to provide adequate warnings about the risk of pancreas cancer from Byetta.
▸ Chronic Pancreatitis from Byetta
Within a few years of Byetta being introduced in the United States, an increasing number of reports began to surface of users developing pancreatitis.
While Amylin Pharmaceuticals has attempted to protect their blockbuster medication by indicating that there is no connection between Byetta and pancreatitis, hundreds of users were developing severe and potentially life-threatening health problems.
▸ Byetta Pancreatitis Side Effects
Pancreatitis involves an inflammation of the pancrease, and chronic pancreatitis could substantially increase the risk of developing pancreas cancer, yet Amylin has failed to adequately warn about this potential side effect.
▸ Byetta Pancreas Cancer Risk following Chronic Pancreatitis
As a result of asymptomatic chronic pancreatitis risks associated with Byetta, which often go undiagnosed while the diabetes drug continues to be used, individuals may face an increased risk of developing cancer of the pancreas.
The pancreatic cancer risk from Byetta may be increased the longer an individual stays on the drug, highlighting the devastating effects of Amylin Pharmaceuticals’ failure to provide proper warnings to consumers about the risk of pancreas injury and the possible connection between Byetta and cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and many families are now considering Byetta wrongful death lawsuits against Amylin Pharmaceuticals as a result of their decision to place profits before consumers safety.
Information on Byetta Pancreatic Cancer Side Effects
A number of studies and reports have raised serious concerns about the link between Byetta and pancreatic cancer.
- In October 2007 and August 2008, the FDA issued warnings about adverse event reports submitted by patients and doctors involving pancreatitis problems from Byetta. Rather than taking immediate steps to recall Byetta or further research the potential side effects of Byetta on the pancreas, the drug maker attempted to minimize and downplay any connection.
- In February 2010, a study published in the medical journal Diabetes Care raised further concerns about evidence that suggested side effects of Byetta may cause asymptomatic pancreatitis, which could remain present while individuals continue to use Byetta and develop pancreatic cancer over time.
- Another study published in February 2011, in the medical journal Gastroenterology, provides further evidence of the potential link between Byetta and pancreatic cancer, as well as concerns about a possible risk of thyroid cancer. After analyzing adverse event reports submitted to the FDA between 2004 and 2009, researchers found that when compared to a control group, users of Byetta developed pancreatitis 10 times more frequently, and pancreatic cancer with Byetta pen use was 3 times greater.
A potential concern about the risk of thyroid cancer from Byetta was also identified, with users of Byetta diagnosed with thyroid cancer being 4.73 times greater when compared to a control group.
- In May 2011, data identified by the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association from adverse event reports in Germany indicated that there was an unusually high association between Byetta and pancreatic cancer. The period of time the start of Byetta and diagnosis of pancreas cancer was approximately 12.2 months.
- A February 2013 study published in in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine has raised further concerns about the lack of research done by the manufacturer on the potential Byetta pancreatic cancer risk.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins conducted a case controlled study of 2,538 adults with type 2 diabetes, half of whom were hospitalized with acute pancratitis. After adjusting for other risk factors for pancreatitis, researchers concluded that individuals who had used Byetta within the prior 30 days were twice as likely to be hospitalized with pancreatitis, indicating that the findings demonstrate the need for further research to evaluate the link between Byetta and pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Lawyers for Byetta Pen Users
Individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after use of the Byetta Pen, as well as family members of those who have died as a result of the cancer, may have important legal rights. To review a potential claim with the Byetta pancreatic cancer lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A., request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
All cases are being reviewed and evaluated on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no out of pocket expenses to hire our law firm, and there are no fees or expenses charged unless we are successful obtaining a recovery. However, every case does have a deadline, known as a statute of limitations, which requires that any lawsuit be filed by a certain date. Therefore, it is important to take steps to review any potential case as early as possible following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis following Byetta use.