The Law Firm of Motley Rice LLC

On October 16, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration asked the makers of Byetta (generic: exenatide), a diabetes drug manufactured and distributed by Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, to alert users that the drug may be linked to the development of acute pancreatitis. Suspicions of the relationship between the sickness and the drug stem from more than 30 reports of symptoms of acute pancreatitis after use of the drug. More than 20 of these users were hospitalized, and at least five developed serious complications.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can develop quickly and can cause bleeding, tissue damage, and infection. In the worst cases, acute pancreatitis can release toxins and injure the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs. If left untreated, it may destroy pancreatic function.

Byetta was first marketed in the United States in 2005 for the treatment of Type II diabetes. It is administered by injection twice daily. The drug carries differs from other diabetic drugs in that it helps users shed excess pounds. Over 700,000 people world-wide use Byetta.

Motley Rice is investigating cases in which individuals took Byetta and experienced persistent and/or severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, severe diarrhea, and painful and persistent indigestion. Please contact Carmen Scott at cscott@motleyrice.com for more information.

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