Byetta Lawsuit Information

Many Americans with type 2 diabetes rely on medications like Byetta to manage their symptoms. Unfortunately, these medications can also sometimes carry serious risks and side effects.

AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of the type 2 diabetes drug Byetta (Exenatide), has recently come under scrutiny. Plaintiffs in the Byetta product liability litigation have argued that Byetta causes:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Acute pancreatitis
• Other adverse health effects

Since 2003, more than 7,000 plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against the drug manufacturer. This page discusses the allegations Byetta patients have made in their cases. It also explains what to do if you believe this type 2 diabetes medication harmed you.

Pharmaceutical companies have a legal responsibility to ensure their medications carry adequate warnings and are safe to use. If you have developed an illness after using Byetta or another drug, you may have a legal claim. A product liability attorney near you can assess your situation and recommend next steps to protect your rights and pursue compensation.

How Does Byetta Treat Type 2 Diabetes?

Byetta is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Byetta in 2005. When the FDA first approved the drug, there was no evidence that it caused harm.

Patients inject Byetta twice daily to treat Type 2 diabetes. Its GLP-1 increases insulin production, which results in lower blood sugar levels. In addition, Byetta may assist type 2 diabetes patients with weight loss.

Who Manufactures Byetta?

Amylin Pharmaceuticals originally manufactured Byetta, but was subsequently acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca in a partnership. In 2014, AstraZeneca completed its full acquisition of Byetta from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

AstraZeneca discontinued Byetta in October 2024 for business reasons.

Adverse Health Effects of Byetta

As with other medications, there are several adverse side effects of Byetta. Some are minor, such as headaches, abdominal pain, and nausea. Others are much more serious. Some of the more severe side effects of the drug include:

• Pancreatitis
• Increased risk of pancreatic cancer
• Potential cause of thyroid cancer
• Dangerous low blood glucose levels

There is no concrete evidence that Byetta caused any of these adverse events. However, researchers have found a significant correlation between Byetta and these health issues in animal studies.

Does Byetta Cause Pancreatic Cancer?

Many of the Byetta lawsuits allege that the drug causes pancreatic cancer. Patients have made similar claims against other incretin mimetics.

In March 2013, the FDA announced it would investigate whether these medications increase the risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and pancreatic cancer.

After completing its investigation, the FDA stressed that it has not concluded whether incretin mimetics cause or contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer. According to the agency, they need more time to collect and analyze data. The drug maker insists that Byetta does not cause either cancer or pancreatitis.

The FDA recommends that Byetta users continue to take their medication as directed until they talk to their health care professionals. Physicians should monitor their patients to ensure they use the drugs as prescribed.

Byetta Gall Bladder Disease Warnings

There is evidence that Byetta may cause gallbladder issues. Specifically, researchers have found a significant link between the drug and gallstones and gallbladder inflammation.

It’s worth mentioning that evidence also shows a link between obesity, weight loss, and gallbladder problems. In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, patients who had lost significant weight after gastric bypass surgery were likely to develop gallstones.

Since some people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, the drug manufacturer claims that some plaintiffs’ weight caused their health issues and not Byetta.

Legal Implications for Byetta Manufacturer

You may have a valid product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer if Byetta caused you harm. 

Many Byetta lawsuits are based on product liability, which imposes a duty on manufacturers and sellers to ensure their products are free from unreasonable dangers or defects.

To win this type of lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove two things. First, they must show that the dangerous drug was defective. Second, they must show that the drug’s defect caused their injuries.

A personal injury lawyer can guide you through the claims process and help hold the manufacturer accountable for harm caused.

Byetta Lawsuits and Litigation

Most patients filed their Byetta pancreatic cancer lawsuits years ago. Plaintiffs filed Byetta lawsuits against Bristol-Myers Squibb in both state and federal courts. The federal court cases were consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) and overseen by a judge in California.

The judge dismissed more than 1,000 cases. The plaintiffs appealed and the appeals court reversed the decision. However, in 2021, the judge again dismissed many of these cases. The judge found that there wasn’t sufficient proof that Byetta caused cancer. The MDL for this case, MDL No. 2452, closed in late 2022.

Failure To Warn for Byetta Side Effects

Many patients sued the drug manufacturer for defective warnings. They alleged that the defendant knew their drug could cause cancer or pancreatitis and did not warn patients or their doctors.

The defendant argued that the FDA would not approve such warnings on Byetta and that they should not be held liable for any injuries. The drug manufacturer further argued that, even if they could issue a warning, no evidence showed that Byetta caused cancer or other serious side effects.

Byetta Wrongful Death Lawsuits

So far, only a handful of patients died from complications after taking Byetta. Family members of the victims may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the drug manufacturer, distributor, and pharmacies.

A wrongful death claim allows close relatives of a deceased individual to sue the party responsible for the death. Surviving relatives can recover medical and funeral expenses in a successful wrongful death suit. They can also demand compensation for the family’s financial and emotional support loss.

If the FDA concludes that there’s a link between drugs like Byetta and cancer, more plaintiffs may file wrongful death suits against the drug manufacturers.

Hold Drug Manufacturers Accountable: A Product Liability Attorney Can Help

If you have developed a serious illness or cancer after using Byetta, you may have a legal claim. It’s important to act swiftly, as some states have statutes of limitations (time limits) on product liability claims.

A local attorney can review your situation and explain your legal options. FindLaw’s directory of product liability attorneys can get you started by connecting you with qualified legal help in your area. Select your state or city to review contact and ratings information for local experts. Your search results will also link you to additional details about the attorneys’ experience with dangerous drug cases.