Byetta Attorneys | Arizona Lawyers | Defective Drugs

Millions of people suffer from type 2 diabetes, which is a difficult condition to manage and one that requires constant vigilance. The number of people who have been diagnosed with this medical problem in recent years has exploded, and this rapid growth has created a demand for medication that has prompted many pharmaceutical companies to work towards formulating a medication designed to help these patients.

One of the leading type 2 diabetes medications to be released in recent years is known as Byetta. Unfortunately, patients who used this medication began to experience Byetta side effects. Below youll find information regarding Byettas use and history, the Byetta side effects that were reported and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of Byetta side effects.

Byetta A Brief History and Description

Byetta was originally approved for sale and distribution in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. The drug is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co., and since its release it has gained a strong position in the type 2 diabetes medication market. Early results with Byetta were seen as positive, and that was partly due to the innovative formula used to build this medication.

Specifically, Byetta is known in medical terms as an incretin mimetic. This basically means that Byetta mimics the function of a hormone. Byettas formula is similar to that of a synthetic lizard hormone, and its main function is to boost the bodys production of insulin in response to meals eaten by patients with type 2 diabetes.

Byetta also performs two other important functions as it helps to manage this health condition:

1. Glucose reduction Byetta reduces the amount of glucose the body of a diabetic produces in the liver after a patient ingests food. If the body produces too much glucose, the blood sugar rises because of the imbalance of this substance when compared to insulin. This imbalance creates danger and risk for the patient.

2. Slowing food movement Byetta also slows the process by which food thats ingested moves from the stomach and into the intestinal tract. This slowing process leads to a feeling of being full sooner in the eating process, and thereby tends to lead to the patient eating less. This not only helps the patient lose weight, but reduces the risk that a glucose/insulin imbalance will arise after a meal is eaten.

Reports of Byetta Side Effects Surface

Approximately one year after Byetta was approved for release onto the market, reports of Byetta side effects began to arise. As is usually the case with a new medication, the initial reports of Byetta side effects were relatively minor and temporary in nature. Unfortunately, these initial Byetta side effects were only the beginning of the problems associated with this medication.

In 2006, the FDA received reports of approximately 30 patients who had used Byetta who had developed an otherwise rare condition known as acute necrotizing pancreatitis. As the name suggests, acute necrotizing pancreatitis attacks the pancreas in a progressive manner. The danger with this condition is that it must be diagnosed early in order to prevent extreme risk to the patient.

This urgency is only made more difficult by the fact that the initial symptoms of acute necrotizing pancreatitis are very common and can easily be confused with other, less serious conditions. Examples of early symptoms of acute necrotizing pancreatitis include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Severe abdominal pains

These symptoms could be seen as nothing more than a virus, and they are also common problems for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes. Regardless of whether the diagnosis of acute necrotizing pancreatitis is initially missed or the patient does not seek medical attention because he or she thinks these symptoms are not serious, this condition will eventually destroy the pancreas and lead to the eventual shutdown of other internal organs. If the progress of acute necrotizing pancreatitis continues beyond that point, its possible that the patient will not survive.

Byetta Side Effects Lawyers and Your Legal Rights

If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of using Byetta, you need to contact the Byetta side effects lawyers at Phillips Law Group as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm has decades of collective experience in holding drug companies accountable for the dangerous products they release onto the marketplace. Contact the firm today to make sure your legal rights are protected.