The type 2 diabetes drug Byetta has had its label changed, according to the Food and Drug Administration in America. The change will reflect a greater than previously thought risk of kidney problems as a result of taking the diabetes drug .
Byetta is also known as Exenatide, and is made by US company Amylin Pharmaceuticals . Byetta hit the news earlier this year with reports of kidney function problems amongst people with diabetes taking the drug. The FDA pointed out that some of these patients already had underlying kidney disease .
A minority of people with diabetes who take Byetta have suffered from haemorrhagic pancreatitis. Byetta is a large-scale diabetes drug, with seven million prescriptions dispensed between April 2005 and September 2008.
The FDA reportedly stated: "Kidney malfunction can result in a build-up of waste products in the blood, leading to serious illness or life-threatening conditions."
Label change for type 2 diabetes drug
Tue, 03 Nov 2009
Recommended links
Diabetes financeDiabetes books
Diabetes forum
Diabetes donate
Diabetes.co.uk Alert ID wristband
The Diet Plate for People with Diabetes
Type 2 diabetic women face heartbeat risk
Fat cell size can predict type 2 diabetes in women
Pancreatitis risk increased by type 2 diabetes
Diabetes company to cut 200 jobs
Learn about type 2 diabetes
Ethnic group influences type 2 diabetes risk
Testosterone lower amongst men with type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes patients should get CBT from nurses and GPs
Weekly injection could aid type 2 diabetes treatment
First saliva test for type 2 diabetes
Great 2008 for American diabetes association
Join us