Lawyers for Byetta Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits
Information has been available to Amylin Pharmaceuticals for years about the potential link between Byetta and pancreatic cancer and other complications, yet the drug maker has withheld information from users and the medical community.
Contact Our Lawyers About a BYETTA INJURY LAWSUIT
The Byetta lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States who have been diagnosed with:
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Hemorrhagic or Necortizing Pancreatitis
- Wrongful Death from Cancer
Research has suggested that side effects of the Byetta pen may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas and chronic pancreatitis, which may ultimately lead to pancreatic cancer and other severe injuries. It appears that Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb have withheld important information about the risk of health problems from Byetta.
Financial compensation may be available through a Byetta cancer lawsuit as a result of the drug maker’s failure to warn about side effects associated with the popular type 2 diabetes drug. To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Byetta Cancer Problems
Byetta (exenatide) is a subcutaneous injection administered twice a day to help reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Also commonly referred to as the “Byetta Pen”, the injection was approved by the FDA in April 2005, and has been used by millions of people throughout the United States.
Since it was introduced, evidence has emerged that links Byetta side effects to a potential risk of pancreatitis, involving an inflammation of the pancrease.
This Byetta problem may be asymptomatic, leading to chronic pancreatitis, which could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer from Byetta.
Amylin Pharmaceuticals has chosen to ignore clear evidence about the connection between Byetta and pancreatic cancer, failing to warn about the increased risk of asymptomatic pancreatitis, which could ultimately lead to the development of cancer of the pancreas as use of the Byetta pen continues.
Byetta and Bydureon Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits
Rather than recalling Byetta or providing adequate warnings for users and the medical community about the importance of monitoring for changes in the pancreas, Amylin continued to push use of Byetta and withheld information to gain approval of new variations of the drug.
A long acting once-weekly Byetta version was approved in early 2012, under the name Bydureon. Both Byetta and Bydureon side effects cause concern, as they both contain the active pharmaceutical ingredient exenatide and users may face a risk of pancreatic cancer from Bydureon exist.
The drugs are part of a new class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 based therapies, which lower blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells. The long-acting Byetta version may also expose users to a potential risk of thyroid cancer, according to data from animal studies involving Victoza, a similar medication from the same class.
Byetta Cancer Lawsuit Allegations
Byetta has been a critical drug for Amylin Pharmaceuticals, which was transformed by their successful marketing of the diabetes treatment.
In 2012, Amylin Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb for $5.3 billion. Byetta and Bydureon were two of only three drugs produced by Amylin at that time.
Individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after using Byetta or Bydureon may be entitled to financial compensation as a result of Amylin Pharmaceuticals decision to place their desire for profits before consumer safety.
According to allegations raised in Byetta lawsuits and Bydureon lawsuits filed by individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the drug maker:
- Failed to adequately warn about potential side effects, with no mention of pancreatic cancer from Byetta placed on the label;
- Failed to advise physicians about the importance of monitoring for first signs of changes to the pancreas, which may have helped users identify chronic asymptomatic pancreatitis that ultimately led to cancer following Byetta use;
- Failed to sufficiently test Byetta before introducing the diabetes pen, with only a small clinical trial involving only short-term treatment as the basis for approval of the medication, which is now used long-term by many diabetics;
- Failed to issue a Byetta recall after it became apparent that the risks outweigh the benefits provided over other, safer alternative diabetes medications;
Byetta Class Action Lawyers
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Byetta class action lawsuits, as well as individual injury lawsuits for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer following use of Byetta or Bydureon.
Potential litigation may also be available for individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer or other forms of cancer, as well as Byetta wrongful death lawsuits for families of individuals who have died for injuries associated with the pancreas.
All lawsuits are reviewed by the Byetta attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. However, every case does have a deadline or statute of limitations, so it is important to review any potential Byetta case as early as possible.