Those living with type 2 diabetes are often prescribed a medication known as an incretin mimetic to help control their blood glucose levels. Byetta, one of those medications, was initially approved in April 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and many have reported success with little to no side effects while taking the drug.
However, others are currently filing lawsuits against the manufacturer, alleging that Byetta increased their risk of developing pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer and other health conditions. You may be entitled to file your own Louisiana Byetta lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries with the help of an experienced attorney.
What is Byetta?
Byetta stimulates the pancreas in those living with type 2 diabetes. By forcing the pancreas to produce more insulin, the patient can better regulate his or her blood glucose levels. Amylin Pharmaceuticals, after receiving word of the medication’s approval, allegedly stated that patients would be able to better control their blood sugar levels as Byetta helped their bodies to use the insulin in a more efficient manner.
However, those filing lawsuits allege that Amylin used aggressive marketing tactics to promote its product, generating over $700 million between 2005 and 2008. Additionally, court documents show that physicians have written over seven million prescriptions for the medication since its release to consumers.
Consider seeking legal counsel and filing a Louisiana Byetta lawsuit if you have suffered from a cancer diagnosis or other adverse side effects while taking the medication. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your condition.
Side Effects of Byetta
Compared to patients taking non-incretin mimetics, those taking Byetta may be six times more likely to suffer from pancreatic cancer, according to results suggested by both adverse event reports and clinical trials. Additionally, a study published in February 2013 concluded that Byetta users may be twice as likely to need hospitalization for an acute pancreatitis diagnosis as those who did not take the medication to treat their conditions.
If you or someone you know noticed one of the following side effects, consider seeking medical attention and learning more about filing a Louisiana Byetta lawsuit to seek compensation for damages including medical bills, loss of income, lost wages and pain and suffering:
- Chest pain
- Immunogenicity
- Allergic reactions
- Nausea
- Renal impairment
- Hypersensitivity
- Kidney damage
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Hypoglycemia
Are There Current Lawsuits?
According to court documents, pending lawsuits alleging that Byetta, Victoza, Januvia and Janumet, among other incretin mimetics, caused serious and adverse health conditions have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.
Records show that 60 claims were filed on September 11, 2013. While that may not seem like a high number to some, the number of lawsuits more than doubled to 150 in the following month by October 17, 2013. A judge has also scheduled five bellwether trials to be held over the next two years that will help both parties to help predict how future cases may settle.
Additionally, lawyers suspect that such a high increase in the number of lawsuits over the course of one month may suggest that more allegedly injured patients will step forward to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, wrongful death or other injuries, depending on each plaintiff’s individual circumstances.
Need More Information about Filing a Louisiana Byetta Lawsuit?
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer or renal impairment after or while taking Byetta, you may be able to seek compensation through a Louisiana Byetta lawsuit. At Attorney Group for Louisiana, we can answer your questions about the legal process to the best of our ability and help you to determine if you have a valid claim. If we feel you have a case, we will connect you with an experienced attorney who will handle your Louisiana Byetta lawsuit from here on out.
