August 19, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration issued a MedWatch alert this week urging physicians to discontinue the use of Byetta in patients suspected to be suffering from pancreatitis.  Since October 2007, the FDA has received reports of six cases of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta.  Of these six cases, all patients required hospitalization, two patients died, and four patients were recovering at the time of reporting.  These cases are in addition to the 30 postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta reviewed by the FDA in 2007.

 
For further information, please contact Stephanie Kutler, Associate Director, Government & Professional Affairs at 301-941-0254 or via e-mail at skutler@endo-society.org.