FDA receives reports of pancreatitis in Byetta patients

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration has reviewed 30 post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta, a drug used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes.

An association between Byetta and acute pancreatitis is suspected in some of these cases. Amylin Pharmaceuticals has agreed to include information about acute pancreatitis in the Precautions section of the product label.

According to the FDA, if pancreatitis is confirmed, Byetta should not be restarted unless an alternative etiology is identified.