DrugNews Alerts of New Study Linking Pancreatic Cancer to Byetta
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 31, 2013 -- The diabetes drug resource center at DrugNews.net is announcing updated information for patients taking the medication Byetta. A new study shows that a majority of reports to the FDA last year linking diabetes medications to pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or thyroid cancer were attributed to Byetta*.
The news comes as a federal panel is deciding where to consolidate a growing number of Byetta lawsuits alleging pancreatic cancer**.
DrugNews provides patients taking popular prescription drugs with the latest recalls, alerts, research and litigation news. Visitors can see if others are experiencing similar side effects and decide if they need legal advice.
Byetta is an injectable medication prescribed to those with type-II diabetes to lower blood sugar levels. Last year the drug sold over $300 million for maker Bristol-Myers Squibb***.
DrugNews has added warnings about a possible Byetta relation to cancer. A 2011 study from UCLA suggested the drug could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer****. This year, the Journal for the American Medical Association also advised that drugs like Byetta can double the risk of pancreatitis, a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer*****.
Now, the resource center has learned of a report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, which found that, of 1,069 cases reported to the FDA in 2012 of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer or a hypersensitivity reaction, 612 were linked to Byetta*.
Due to the number of patients filing a Byetta lawsuit alleging cancer, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is deciding whether to consolidate cases to a special federal court**. (In Re: Incretins Products Liability, Sales and Marketing Litigation, MDL 2452, United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation).
Anyone affected by cancer after taking Byetta is encouraged to visit the DrugNews center or speak with a lawyer about their legal options. However, due to the specialized nature of federal drug injury cases, DrugNews only recommends lawyers who have already handled Byetta lawsuits.
For more information on the research, side effects and litigation news related to Byetta and other drugs, or to speak with a lawyer, visit http://www.DrugNews.net.
*ISMP QuarterWatch April, 2013.ismp.org/QuarterWatch/pdfs/2012Q3.pdf
**JPML, 6/12/13; jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Hearing_Order-7-25-13.pdf
***Bloomberg, 2/25/13; bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-25/merck-bristol-diabetes-drugs-linked-to-pancreatitis-risk.html
****Gastroenterology, July 2011; ctsi.ucla.edu/education/files/publicview/training/docs/FDA-analysis.pdf
*****JAMA Internal Medicine, 2/25/13; archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1656537
Patient Advocate, DrugNews, http://www.DrugNews.net, 888-987-4866, [email protected]
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