Byetta on the wrong end of pancreatitis claims

A new class of diabetes drugs, tipped to rake in billions of dollars, faces an uncertain future following six cases of severe pancreas inflammation linked to Amylin and Eli Lilly’s Byetta. So-called GLP-1 drugs like Byetta — and similar products being developed by firms including Novo Nordisk and Roche — are seen as a promising new way to fight the growing problem of diabetes, which is closely linked to obesity.

This is the first I have heard of these concerns. Byetta is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and is also known to help persons shed a lot of pounds. I feared this when Byetta first appeared last year. I was concerned that Byetta would be abused as a weight loss drug, While there is no proof or claims that this is happening here, I do wonder what the exact situations that led to pancreatitis in the patients that are suing.

Recent Byetta sales have been lackluster so far this year and I am sure this will not help any.

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