Januvia and Byetta

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people across the country. While those with type 2 diabetes must often worry about their health and well-being, the last thing that people want to worry about is another health issue. However, many of those battling the condition have had cause for concern due to the prescription drugs that they were taking. Prescription drugs like Januvia and Byetta used to treat type 2 diabetes have been found to cause dangerous side effects. If you or a loved one has been injured after taking Januvia or Byetta, you may need the help of a Tennessee Januvia attorney.

Both Januvia and Byetta are drugs prescribed to help treat adults with type 2 diabetes. Januvia comes in the form of a pill. It was one of the first in a new class of oral diabetes medications known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Januvia is typically taken once a day. Januvia works by lowering blood sugar in two ways. The drug helps the body to increase insulin to stabilize blood sugar while also decreasing sugars that are made in the liver.

Byetta is administered in the form of a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. It typically is used twice a day. Byetta is also known as Exenatide which is a class of drugs called glucogon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) antagonist. Byetta, similar to Januvia, helps to control blood sugar levels. It works by helping the pancreas to produce insulin levels more effectively.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Januvia in October of 2006. Manufactured by Merck, the drug quickly became one of the most popular type 2 diabetes drugs on the market. However, shortly after the introduction of the drug onto the market, the FDA began receiving reports of patients experiencing acute pancreatitis as well as necrotizing pancreatitis. In addition, there have been a number of cases alleging that the use of the drug led to pancreatic cancer.

The FDA approved Byetta in 2005. Manufactured by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Byetta has come to generate a majority of the company’s yearly sales. Recently, the FDA opened a review of type 2 diabetes medications including both Januvia and Byetta because of the increased reports of pancreatitis and other issues associated with the drugs.

Some of the potential side effects that have been seen in people taking Januvia may include:

• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Severe abdominal and back pain
• Abnormal blood pressure
• Elevated respiratory or heart rates
• Nausea or vomiting

Serious side effects linked to the drug may include:

• Acute pancreatitis
• Necrotizing pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer

If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects following the use of type 2 diabetes medication like Januvia or Byetta, we encourage you to contact one of our Tennessee Januvia attorneys. You may be entitled to compensation for the injuries that you have suffered. Our team of defective drug attorneys would be happy to answer any questions that you may have related to your Januvia or Byetta claim.

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