Medication manufacturer Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. faces hundreds of lawsuits after reports linked its diabetes drug Byetta to a significantly increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The manufacturers of other comparable Type 2 diabetes drugs face similar suits. The plaintiffs allege they took Byetta to help manage their Type 2 diabetes and developed pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis as a result.
If your doctor prescribed Byetta to help you manage your diabetes and you suffered pancreatic cancer or other serious side effects, the Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. legal team is here to help you understand how to file a lawsuit to collect compensation. We can also help you file a claim against Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. if you lost a family member to this cancer while they took Byetta. Call us at 800-550-0000 to schedule your free case evaluation with a Byetta pancreatic cancer lawsuit lawyer today.
What Dangerous Side Effects Have People Reported While Taking Byetta?
Exenatide, better known by the brand name Byetta, helps manage Type 2 diabetes. It is one of the “new generation” diabetes drugs, working by decreasing the sugar produced in the liver while also increasing the pancreas’ insulin production.
Byetta is similar to Januvia and Janumet, two other popular Type 2 diabetes drugs.
These newer generation drugs also come with some serious side effects, though. There are currently thousands of lawsuits pending against the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture and market these drugs. All these suits center on issues with the pancreas.
(Merck & Co., Inc. is currently facing lawsuits regarding users receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis after taking Janumet and Januvia. If you suffered pancreatic cancer while taking Januvia or Janumet, you may have a case for compensation.)
Do Current Studies Link Byetta and a Higher Risk of Pancreatic Cancer?
Like other drugs, this type of diabetes drug underwent clinical trials before receiving
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. These trials did not show a significant increase in cases of acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. Soon after the drug hit the market, though, the FDA began receiving reports about these conditions from those who used the medication to help manage their diabetes.
This flood of reports inspired independent researchers to investigate the possible link between these medications and serious complications involving the pancreas, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The FDA announced it would follow this research and the reports closely in March of 2013, although it also announced there was no reason for patients to worry about developing pancreatic cancer. It says the review is ongoing, but has not released any further statements or issued new warnings for this medication.
Some studies do show the potential for an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in patients who take Byetta and other drugs similar to Byetta.
A 2013 study published in Diabetes looked at a number of pancreases postmortem and found links between pancreatic cancer and the new generation of diabetes medications. By looking closely at the pancreases of patients with Type 2 diabetes, the researchers found that these types of medications have complications such as an enlarged pancreas and the potential increased risk for pancreatic cancer. They recommend much closer monitoring of patients while taking these drugs.
What is the Current Status of the Byetta Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits?
The courts consolidated the Byetta lawsuits, along with those pertaining to other similar Type 2 diabetes drugs such as Januvia, Janumet, and Victoza, into multidistrict litigation in California Federal Court. Known as MDL No. 2452, Judge Anthony J. Battaglia presided.
In November of 2015, he approved a summary judgement on behalf of Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the other drug companies involved in the suits. This summary judgment effectively dismissed all cases in the MDL. This was not the end of the road for these plaintiffs, though. They filed an appeal the following September. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the court’s decision in December 2017.
If you believe Byetta caused you to suffer acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or other serious health conditions, or if you believe your loved one died because of one of these complications, give us a call as soon as possible. We continue to evaluate Byetta-related pancreatic cancer cases, and can file a lawsuit on your behalf if you have a viable claim.
How Can I Talk to a Byetta Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer?
We know what it takes to prove a defective drug case, and can help you win the compensation you deserve. We can help you link your use of Byetta to your pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, and show that you could have avoided these serious conditions if you did not take this medication. Call us today, and we can get to work building a strong case in your favor.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates P.C., our Byetta pancreatic cancer attorneys are ready to go to work for you. We can prove liability and collect evidence of your related damages. We will fight for compensation for you, or help you recover the money you deserve if your loved one died from a serious Byetta side effect. You can reach us today at 800-550-0000. We offer free case reviews.
