Byetta is one among the many newer drugs which treat Type 2 diabetes, in a class known as incretin mimetics. Approved by the FDA in 2005, over thirty reports came into the FDA regarding adverse health events within the next two years. Those thirty people developed pancreatitis after taking Byetta; twenty-two of those had symptoms severe enough to result in hospitalization. Over half of these people saw their symptoms alleviated once Byetta was discontinued. Since that time there have been at least two deaths attributed to Byetta, and more reports sent to the FDA. Research has pointed to a link between Byetta and thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis, and while the drug has not been recalled, the number of lawsuits against the manufacturer of Byetta has been steadily increasing.
Byetta Thyroid Cancer Lawsuits
The lawsuits which have already been filed against the manufacturer of Byetta allege a failure to warn. The increased safety hazards regarding serious illnesses were not made readily available to the public initially—in fact, the FDA was forced to mandate updates to Byetta labeling in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Health care professionals were never advised to keep a careful watch on their Byetta changes to catch early pancreatic changes until the company was forced to add this wording to the Byetta label.
In other words, consumers took a drug they fully believed to be safe without having all the necessary information to make that decision. Many of the lawsuits may also allege that Amylin Pharmaceuticals exhibited a failure to sufficiently test Byetta prior to its release. It appears only one small clinical trial which tested only short-term Byetta treatment was performed before the drug was aggressively marketed to the public. Even when the risks of the drug might have outweighed the benefits, there was no recall of Byetta, leaving the public with more questions than answers.
Could You Be Part of a Byetta Thyroid Cancer MDL?
Your potential case requires a thorough, professional, experienced evaluation which takes your individual circumstances and the level of harm you suffered into account when determining your right to a settlement from the manufacturer of Byetta. Should you have already suffered a serious illness such as thyroid or pancreatic cancer, acute pancreatitis or a kidney disorder from taking Byetta, you may be entitled to a settlement which covers your medical expenses, lost wages and the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of taking Byetta.
While Byetta thyroid cancer lawsuits have been filed, there are currently no Byetta MDLs or mass torts in the works, although it is likely they may occur in the future. MDL and mass tort lawsuits allow resource sharing; while there is a team of common representation, each plaintiff remains an individual with individual circumstances and case facts. A Byetta potential class action suit is a bit different in that should there be a settlement, the plaintiffs must share equally rather than those who suffered more harm receiving a larger settlement. It is expected that we will be hearing about Byetta mass torts, MDLs and class action suits in the very near future.