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.

A recent study of pancreatic cancer among patients taking Victoza, a drug used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, reported by eHealthMe and based on FDA reports showed that as of June 14, 2013, 11,308 people have reported serious side effects while taking Victoza. Eighty-three of those patients have developed pancreatic cancer, with over 85% of those 83 people developing the pancreatic cancer within 12 months of beginning the drug. Of these 83 people, 40% were female, and 60% were male with an age range of 50-75.

Byetta is a drug marketed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. While some diabetes drugs come in pill form, Byetta is a pre-filled pen which the patient injects one hour prior to the morning and evening meal. Unlike some other diabetic drugs, Byetta (exenatide) is made from a synthetic form of a hormone—exendin 4—which naturally occurs in the saliva of the Southwestern Gila monster and was discovered in 1992. The synthesized version of the hormone is nearly 50% identical to another hormone which occurs naturally in the human digestive tract—GLP-1. This GLP-1 hormone increases the insulin in the body, enabling it to balance excessively high levels of blood sugar. The body of a diabetic may lose the ability to produce the necessary levels of GLP-1, allowing blood sugar levels to rise to potentially dangerous levels.

Metallosis occurs when a foreign object—such as metal ions which are produced by a metal hip implant—enter the tissues of the body. The body reacts by sending special types of white blood cells called macrophages to attack the area and fight the metal ions. While the goal of the body is to trap the metal shards and prevent them spreading to other parts of the body, in this particular case it is somewhat of a lost cause. The body is, of course, unable to remove the metal shards and inflammation, pain, tissue destruction or death and bone loss are the potential results. The longer the metal ions remain in the body, the more potential damage.