January 13, 2010
FDA Warning On Byetta – Is It Safe?
I had mentioned in a prior post that at the advice of my doctor I had begun taking Byetta to help control my Type2 Diabetes. I have just seen an FDA warning about Byetta causing Pancreatitis in 30 reported cases. So far, no deaths…but do I want to be the first?
Byetta works great for controlling my type 2 diabetes. Made as a synthetic version of the Gila Monster’s saliva, it assists in the way that your stomach empties, causing a slower release of glucose into your system and it also stimulates the part of the brain which sends the signal of feeling full to your stomach.
It has been shown that Byetta can cause modest weight loss in those who take it. Byetta is like an appetite suppressant and a diabetes medication all in one. To good to be true right? Right.
The FDA released a warning earlier this week advising that Byetta has been linked to 30 confirmed cases of acute inflamed pancreatitus. The drug companies, Amylin and Eli Lilly, who co-developed this product will need to add this warning to it’s Byetta warning labels.
Before we all get crazy about the FDA’s warning about Byetta let’s look at the facts:
- Over 700,000 people use Byetta twice daily and of that amount only 30 cases of pancreatitis have been presented so far
- Of the 30 cases…none involved death. That’s always a good thing.
- Only 5 of the 30 cases of pancreatitis involved more serious complications like kidney failure.
- 22 of the reported pancreatitis cases involved the patient returning to full health once the Byetta was stopped.
I also wonder if the diabetic people in India taking Byetta have been notified about this warning.
The FDA also went on to report that 27 of the 30 cases also had at least one other risk factor for pancreatitis…yeah, I think it’s called Diabetes? Anyway, it seems that while serious, pancreatitis is treatable. If you are aware of the possible risk for pancreatitis while taking Byetta you will be able to spot it at early onset.
Warning Signs Of Pancreatitis
- Pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen
- Pain in upper left or upper right of abdomen
- Pain throughout the abdomen
- Pain traveling straight to the mid-back region
A bit vague? Yes. So I guess the best advice to follow would be that if you are on Byetta and you start to experience any severe abdominal pain, in any area of the abdomen, that you contact your doctor immediately.
As for me, there was a period of a couple of days that I thought I was going to stop using Byetta all together. Then came the rise in my blood glucose level and I decided that for now, I will continue to use Byetta. The small risk of Byetta induced Pancreatitis seems acceptable faced with the alternative of having high glucose levels causing permanent damage to my organs.
Related Posts
- BYETTA Lets Talk in New York
- BYETTA Let’s Talk in Atlanta
- How Byetta Helped My Out of Control Diabetes
- What Does the Diabetes Drug Byetta and the Gila Monster Have in Common with Causes Weight Loss?
- BYETTA Let’s Talk in Boston
CJ
September 29, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I’ve only just heard of the problems showing up with Byetta.
My husband started Byetta, then soon began having regular abdominal pains. He always kept a drug list with dosages with him. Doctors diagnosed it originally as “gas” and after 8 months of being at doctors’ offices & urgent care facilities finally went to a local ER and they immediately saw the problem. Only later did we find out that the original CAT scan 8 months before did show a problem, but no doctors ever thought it was important or anything but “gas”. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (adenocarcinoma)in February 2006 and died in April 2007 at age 57.
He was a big proponent of Byetta, it had done so many good things for him. Never in all that time did we imagine pancreatic cancer could be a side-effect. To think that I lost him after 36 years of marriage due to a potential side-effect to a drug makes the pain and loss much worse.
Please don’t worry about weight – make the decision to take Byetta for the right reasons knowing the potential side-effects (which may include death). AND whatever you do, don’t let the doctor’s get away with making you feel like you’re a hypochondriac because they can’t figure out what’s causing the pain especially if you’re taking Byetta.
I had him for 14 months after diagnosis; maybe, just maybe, if the doctors had listened and diagnosed the disease before it was Stage IVb he may have had a chance. Obviously they didn’t know about the Byetta side-effects – or at least I hope so. They sure didn’t tell us.
One last thing – be vigilent – the average life expectancy for adenocarcinoma is less than 6 months – that’s not a lot of time. Don’t waste time if you don’t get a good answer from a doctor.
Sharon Conaway
September 30, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Dear CJ,
Am so very sorry for your devastating lose of your dear husband. Someone else on this site wrote a similar story earlier in the year. Yes, it can happen. For me, though, so far, so good, so VERY good, so I’ll stay with it. Isn’t it something how often the doctors “miss it”? And when they do, the consequences are catastrophic and permanently life-altering for the worse.
Polly
October 2, 2008 at 7:28 pm
My mother was prescribed Byetta about a year ago and has had nothing but problems – a steady decline in her health. As of the date of this post, the doctors are running tests to confirm pancreatic cancer. This is breaking my heart.
If you are taking ANYTHING that causes nausea,vomiting, and any other side effects, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Those negative responses are telling you that you are putting poison in your system. When it comes to your body, YOU are the expert, not the doctor.
Be well and many blessings -
Karen
October 2, 2008 at 10:40 pm
About two months ago, my endocrinologist recommended I take the lower dose of Byetta twice daily as my insulin and sugar levels are borderline for diabetes. I am also overweight. However, we have been fighting my insurance company since they state I have to try “other regimens” such as metformen, and other drugs first, and show they do not work for me before they will approve Byetta. After reading all the comments on this site regarding the side effects and possibility of death from pancreatitis, I am starting to wonder if maybe my insurance rejection might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe I shouldn’t be using this drug. I have already lost 11 lbs from cutting my food portions. Maybe that is the way to go. Any comments? I was going to pay for this drug myself just to get some serious weight off and hopefully get my blood levels back to normal, but now I am somewhat apprehensive about this drug. My doctor never said ANYTHING about side effects, except to take it right before a meal and he did warn me about possible pancreatitis – but that was with the higher dose.
Sarah
October 3, 2008 at 10:10 am
I’ve been taking Byetta since June, 2008. I started with the lower dose and had minimal nausea. The weight came off, which was good, but more importantly, my blood glucose readings, which had been incrementally increasing despite Metformin, dropped below 100 and stayed down.
I tried the 10mg and found it too strong (I’m small and female). My endocrinologist agreed that I could drop back to the 5 mg, which works just fine and doesn’t have the more devastating side effects. On the 10 mg I had much stronger nausea and stomach pains (a warning sign my doctor had said to immediately report). Since going back on the 5 mg, no problems.
No one knows what causes pancreatic cancer. Certainly I haven’t found any documented link between pancreatic cancer and Byetta. If anyone does find such a link, let us all know, but I worked with two guys in my office who died of pancreatic cancer at a young age, and neither had diabetes or took medications of any kind.
I’d recommend trying the 5 mg and staying there and seeing if it works. You’ve already got half the plan down well by cutting food portions. The Byetta should help immensely in reducing glucose levels. Exercise is another important factor–even a 20 minute walk per day is helpful.
Good luck–Sarah
Sharon Conaway
October 3, 2008 at 11:55 pm
It was only during that eight-week adjustment period when one first starts Byetta that I had those terrible side-effects (terrible nausea, the vomiting, the gas bloat, tiredness, etc.) and almost didn’t stay on the drug. For me to have given in then would have been such a terrible mistake, because I would never have lost all that weight and feel as good as I do now. I started on the 5 mcg. twice a day and when I hit a plateau with the weight loss, I moved it up to 10 mcg. once a day. Don’t know why, but the 10 mcg. once a day works better for me than the 5 twice a day did and I lost some more weight. No side-effects after upping it, either. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.
Polly, how’s your mother doing? I hope the tests didn’t come out positive for the pancreatic cancer.
Karen, it’s ironic about how you said your endocrinologist never told you about the possible side-effects one could have when one takes Byetta. Why? Because my endocrinologist never told me either when I first started the end of last year. Therefore, when I had them during that eight week period of adjustment, boy, did it flummox me! She “strongly recommended”, basically forced me to soldier it through those eight weeks. I did and am glad I did. In my case, it worked. What your doctor said are the general directions for how to take Byetta. I must admit I’m puzzled as to why neither of our doctors told us about those horrid side-effects that one might experience during the adjustment period. As for your taking the chance on Byetta, well, Karen, you’ll never know unless you do try it.
George Evans
October 4, 2008 at 1:15 am
Sharon:
Having just read your recent comment, I have to state that in October 2007 I was put on Byetta 5 mcg twice a day.
I did not want to go onto this medication but was told that I had “no choice” in this matter.
I was originally told that this was to be a one month trial after which a decision would be made about placing me on the medication on a permanent basis.
In November of 2007, I returned to my PCP and was told that I again had no choice in this matter and that I would be on Byetta period and that there was never anything said about a one month trial.
At that time I handed my PCP a copy of the October 2007 FDA warning about Byetta. My PCP asked me how I got a copy of the FDA notice, and my reply was that I had gotten it from work. In fact to this very day, my PCP does not know that I have been taken off of Byetta by the Endocrinologist that she sent me to.
From everything that I have seen in recent years, it appears that a lot of Doctors get educated about medicines, like Byetta, by the Pharmacy Reps who visit their offices on a regular basis.
Also remember that with the most recent warning about Byetta, the FDA is also making Amylin and Eli Lilly place stronger warnings about a possible link between pancreatitis and Byetta in the packaging of Byetta.
George Evans
Karen
October 4, 2008 at 9:48 am
Thank you Sarah and Sharon for your responses to my apprehension about Byetta. It does make me wonder how my endocrinologist would not mention side effects. One thing I wanted to add is that my PCP has very strong feelings about me NOT taking Byetta because of the possible pancreatic ca side effects. I have been having as diplomatic a discussion with him as I can (without even having taking the drug yet!) defending Byetta and why I believe I should try it. It is so frustrating, but I guess like you said Sharon – I won’t know unless I try. My endocrinoligist is now appealing my insurance company, however it doesn’t look good. I might have to take some other medications first. This whole thing is just so upsetting. I just want to get started.
Eleanor DiGiovanni
October 22, 2008 at 9:22 am
I was on Byetta for one year 10 mg 2x day. After about 6 months I started getting abdominal pains, a few times so badly I missed work. I did lose weght and my sugar was controlled so I stayed on it. Finally my sister read about the side effects and said it sounded like me. I stopped the Byetta a couple of months ago and went to a Gastroenteroligist to find I had an inflamation in my pancreatic and gallbladder ducts. However every week now I feel better and finally am starting to feel normal. I did not regain the weight yet. I do eat less now.
Goobr
November 10, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hi Folks, thank-you very much for posting up your insights and comments on Byetta. My heart-felt condolences for those of you that have had bad dealings with this medication. From the bottom of my heart.
I’m a Byetta newbie. Just on my 2nd day of taking 5mg x2. After reading every one of these posts after waking up at 3am this morning with the worst indigestion, stomach pain, gas, burps, I’ve learned quickly, eat within 15 minutes of your injection,, for me anyway. Breakfast and supper today have been no problem except for gas and burps.
A little background, I’m 47 years old, diagnosed with Type II one year ago. Started with metformin, added Actos 3 months later, and just last Dr’s visit, she took me off the Actos, stayed with metformin and added Byetta. Other than really loose stools and a little bit of idigestion, I think I can hang with this till my body gets used to it.
I’m glad I found you folks at 3am this morning because I was hurtin’. I got some good tips from here too and thank-you all for your posts.
I know, Goobr is a weird name but it’s what all my motorcycle buddies call me.
Sharon Conaway
November 11, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Don’t worry about your nickname, Goobr, because a little good-natured fun and humor never hurt anybody. It’s really a sweet name. Your motorcycle buddies must really like you a lot.
I’ve been noticing, as I’ve written here before, that the appetite-suppressing effect of Byetta is “wearing off”. Been on it since the end of 2007. After the two-month adjustment process, there were no problems with side-effects, and the appetite-suppressing was great. I’ve gained a couple of pounds and that does scare me after having struggled so hard to lose all this weight, even having bought some new clothes. I don’t eat like I used to, as noted by Eleanor, who I’m so sorry to hear had such an adverse reaction to Byetta, but it does worry me. As I said in a previous posting, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to increase my dosage, but I want to. I will talk to her about it again when I see her later this month. She wants me to exercise – FAT chance of that happening…
lenalady
December 2, 2009 at 1:41 pm
It’s been interesting reading all the comments. My endo. wants to start me on byetta next week. Lots to consider.
Sharon…have you considered water fitness? I joined the YMCA and they have exercise classes in the water. I meet twice a week for 45 minutes or 1 hour depending on the night. I have lost almost two pant sizes and feel great.
madsy
November 12, 2008 at 9:55 am
My son who is 21 was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 15. He also has Autism which makes it harder for him to understand the devestating effects that uncontrolled diabetes can cause. He has been been on Metformin for years and until the last 9 months was doing realy well on this. His blood sugar levels are high. They added Avandia to see if it would help bring his number down. It didn’t help very much at all. Then his doctor said something about Byetta but told me this week that there was a new study out that it could possibly cause pancreatic cancer.
I have read all of the posts here so I have read the good and the bad experiences. I was just wondering and should have asked the Doctor at the time where this study is but wasn’t thinking straight after he told me that. So basically my question is has anyone else heard about this study or any news as far as Pancreatic cancer being caused by Byetta?
I have the prescription but have decided not to use it just yet. Since my son has Autism he has never been good with eating right or exercising. He will sneak food. I have talked to him and he does understand to a certain extent how important exercise and eating right is. He does much better if he has a schedule to go by. I have decided to put him on an eating schedule and an exercise program schedule. He said that would help him.
I think my husband and I have decided to go this route to see if it will bring his numbers down before trying the Byetta.
I was really excited when I first learned of Byetta but now I have alot of worries about it.
Anyway sorry for rambeling but if anyone has heard of this study please let me know. In the mean time I will continue to research. I am also going to call his Doc again and see where he heard it from. If I find anything out I will post it.
Thanks,
Madsy
adel
November 15, 2008 at 4:00 pm
i recently took my husband to er with bad stomache pains raiding to his back very scaring didnt know what was wrong with him finally they gave him a cat-scan showed kidey stones but im ready on the symtome on pancriatic cancer he has all those symtoms im wondering if he has that too cause the pain has not gone away he did have the stone remove but still has pain need some advise should i tell the dr to check for that
adel
November 15, 2008 at 4:04 pm
by the way he has been on byettta for about 6 months 5mcg
Sharon Conaway
November 17, 2008 at 12:15 am
Dear Adel, I would leave no stone unturned regarding your husband’s health especially if you want to have him around for a long time to come. No one will fight for his care better than you who love him, so make a pest of yourself, if need be. Have heard too many tragic stories of about people who didn’t follow through and found out too late a loved one had cancer. Maybe it’s all a big nothing, but you want to know and need to know – one way or the other. Follow your instincts.
Donna
November 18, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I have been on Byetta sinse March of 2008. In the beginning I got very ill.Always had a really bad stomach ache and diarria. I was asked to hang in there. I did.It brought my sugars way down and I lost a alot of weight. Once in a while I do get a tummy ache but not bad. If you can’t take it your body is telling you something. Do what you think is right. Only you know how you truly feel. Good Luck!
Goobr
November 19, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Good posting Donna. You said, “Do what you think is right. Only you know how you truly feel”.
That is so true. I’ve been on Byetta for 2 weeks now and I’ve seriously adjusted my eating habits. I am actually looking forward to my next blood test in a couple of weeks to see if any changes and what kind of changes.
Patty
November 24, 2008 at 10:46 am
WELL. I finally gave up the fight! I couldn’t take the nausea . all day everyday. Now on once a day insulin pen. After being on the insulin for two weeks I can look at food without nausea.
Sharon Conaway
November 24, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Hi, Patty,
Are you the same Patty who posted the comment below? If you are, it’s understandable you’d give up on Byetta after six months if you’re still getting the nausea. You have to listen to your body. That’s definitely not normal. I got used to it after two months, which is within the normal adjustment period, and haven’t had any trouble with it since. If this is not the same Patty and you haven’t been on Byetta that long, perhaps you gave up too quickly. You didn’t say how long you were on it before you quit. Glad you’re doing better on the insulin, but losing weight may be more difficult.
Comment by Patty on September 14, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
“I have been on Byetta since May, and doing OK, but my glucose levels still are higher than they should be, but lower than without Byetta. It seems like when I start a new pen, I get more reaction and as the 30 days go on ,less. Does anyone else have this problem?”
As I’ve posted before, I think I’ll need to get my doctor to allow me to take another shot per day in order to lose more weight, because the 10 mcg. once a day has now lost a lot of its punch. My lowest weight was 136 lbs. on a five-foot frame and now I’m 140.7 today. Still, it’s a lot better with Byetta than without it. Absolutely no side-effects, anymore. Am sure if I stopped Byetta entirely, my weight would creep back up in no time.
Patty
November 26, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Yes, I had given byetta 6 months, and still so nausous, it was terrible! So far I haven’t found the right dose of insulin to handle my sugar, but I’m still adjusting.
Sharon Conaway
November 26, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hi, Patty,
Aha! So, you ARE the same Patty who posted the quote I put in my last comment! Well, it’s apparent Byetta and you could not develop a good working relationship after 6 months. If Byetta and me couldn’t have worked it out by the end of that second month, I don’t know if I could have stood it as long as six months the way you did. Obviously, this drug is not for you. Hope you get along with the insulin better. You must have a nasty case of Type 2. Mine isn’t so bad but it is bad enough so that I have to take the meds (Metformin and the Byetta). Keep us posted…
Judy
December 16, 2008 at 5:20 pm
My husband took Byetta for a few months in early 2007. He had severe abdominal pain, nausea and started having pain in his right rib cage when he would lie down at night. He was diagnosed with Stage IV unresectable pancreatic cancer in Sept 07. The mass was actually a cyst and the surgeon said he had necrosis. None of the doctors would believe a medicine would cause this. Since then, the warnings have been issued by the FDA. So called experts say Byetta doesn’t cause pancreatic cancer, however, I have seen several cases on the internet. My husband is still fighting the cancer and doing well. Perhaps these post will help someone decide not to take Byetta.
Melanie
December 20, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Wow! This is a great forum. I have enjoyed reading through everyone’s comments. I had heard that Byetta can cause pancreatitis in a small percentage of people, but I had not heard that it actually CAUSES pancreatic cancer. Is there, indeed, a direct correlation?
I have taken Byetta since April of 2008. When I went up to 10mcg’s, twice a day, I felt TERRIBLE! I tried for 7 months. Due to side effects, I’ve since lowered to 5mcg’s, twice a day. I feel much better. I have lost some weight. My numbers are better (bloodsugar, blood pressure, triglycerides, etc). However, I still don’t feel GREAT. I find that I still have trouble with WANTING to eat more. I take Depakote (antiseizure medication) which causes a huge appitite. My brain wants me to eat while my stomach says, “No More!!”
I am starting to exercise more, which I know will help. Until they find a direct correlation to cancer, I’ll continue on the Byetta. I’m finding the benefits of my blood sugar numbers and weight loss hard to overlook. Thanks to everyone for your comments. I’ll look forward to checking back occasionally!
Melanie
Elena
January 9, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I landed on this site looking for information about BYETTA because of the rapidly deteriorating condition of my mother. She started BYETTA in February of 2006 and took it successfully for 2 years. The doctor took her off her dosage because she had reached and maintained a healthy weight. She is 5’6” and started off weighing 213 lbs. However, she has not been able to stop the weight loss. She has every sign of pancreatitis and we are hoping that cancer is not at work. She now weighs 111 lbs and is still easily losing a pound a week. We are doing all we can to rally around her to remedy this health threat. There are warnings out there about BYETTA. Side effects can be delayed. Loss of life and diminished quality of life, currently the case with my mother, are reason enough for me to post. Be aware. Please be aware.
Michael
January 10, 2009 at 5:56 am
NO No NO No No. It has never been proven that Byetta causes Pancreatitis or Pancreatic Cancer. The 2 companies Amylin and Lilly are very open with all the reports. Out of the 1 million+ patients that have tried Byetta, 32 developed pancreatitis. The majority had other risk factors such as gall stones, diabetes, and alcoholism. 32 out of a million? That is less than what occurs in the general public. Byetta has helped my family dearly. My father lost 40 pounds and has never seen better control. It works so great he just takes 2 diabetes meds now. He eats right and his doctor halved his metformin since it has GI side effects too and can increase some of the GI side effects with Byetta. It is a great product for us and it was just added to the ADA’s recommendations. I saw that in a December 2008 Article in Diabetes Magazine at office I saw. My dad’s endo. said it is the best treatment for type 2 because it is the only product that gives weight loss and sugar control.
Kate
November 17, 2009 at 9:59 am
Michael,
Thank you for your post, after reading all of this it is really scaring me. I was just given Byetta yesterday. I take it along with Glumetza which is similar to the Metformin which I use to take but does not have any of the GI issues. You might want to look into the Glumetza it is wonderful, the same results with out the terrible side effects.
Duane
January 21, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I’ve been taking Byetta for close to two years now and have had no side effects. At first there were times that I’ve felt a bit naseous if I over eat, but that’s about the extent of it. I take Glyburide, 5mg/day and I’ve found that the Byetta levels out my glucose readings over the day. I take 10 mcg before breakfast and 10 mcg before dinner. I have found that if you give it 20 to 30 minutes before you eat it helps you feel fuller and you’re not apt to eat as much.
Penny
January 22, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I have been on Byetta for at least 2 years now(5mcg BID). I too had some GI problems at first but never to the point of vomiting. I adjusted my eating habits to small meals or snacks more frequently (I called it grazing) in an effort to control GI symptoms and low blood sugars. I was also on glipizide and metforman at the time. That worked well for me and the ensuing weight loss encouraged me to choose my foods more wisely(nothing succeeds like success). This last year I started having more GI symptoms again. My doctor stopped the metformin and I am doing great now. I lost 80 pounds then hit a stand still but am now slowly loosing again. My hemoglobin A1C’s are very good even without the metformin and I no longer have those awful blood sugar drops.
I appreciate knowing what symptoms to watch for but am going to stay on the Byetta for now as the side efects from diabetes are also life threatening and this is the only thing that has worked for me.
Goor
January 22, 2009 at 7:19 pm
To Sharon Conway,
What a lovely and nice lady you are.
3 or 4 months ago I was big proponent of Byetta but now, my stomach will just not handle it. Moreso my esophagus, the spitting up, regurgitation, even up-chucking.
I was cool with it for the first couple of weeks but it just got worse with me. I made it for 2 months, that last week or so I was skipping doses because I was tired of puking. Me having Type 2 diabetes, I’m thinking I don’t need to be skipping my meds. Anyway, after 2 months of that I called my Doctor and she put me back on Metformin and Actos. My A1C is still 6.1 but I feel normal now. Blood test last week and follow-up today with my Doctor.
I’m not complaining about Byetta here but it just isn’t for me.
In retrospect, my diet is my savior. I just gotta make my “butt” stick to it.
Ben
Sharon Conaway
January 22, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hi, Ben/Goobr, and thanks for the compliment about my being such a nice lady! I remember your posting of 11/10 when you were a “newbie” on Byetta. Hey, if it hasn’t worked well for you, different strokes for different folks. As with any drug, there are bound to be many variations in how people react to it.
I’ve gained back about ten lbs. of the weight I lost on Byetta because it’s lost some of it’s kick as an appetite suppressant as time went by. I expressed my dismay about the few pounds I had gained back in my 11/11/08, and now I’ve gained more. It’s such a struggle. I was taking Byetta 10mg. once a day but now after having seen my doctor, I can up it to twice a day. Problem is I don’t always eat twice a day which she’s upset with me about, usually just once a day. It hasn’t been easy, either, because the fridge in our apartment isn’t working, the landlord is slow in responding to my pleas, and we have to eat out just about every day. That doesn’t help matters. Other than that, Byetta is still not bothering me, anymore, with side effects. So, until something better comes along, I’ll stay with it. — Sharon
Goor
January 22, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Good posting Sharon.
We are creatures of habit,,,, our “downfalls” have to be dealt with on a personal basis. (Don’t ya just hearing this kind of crud? LOL) It’s the truth though.
Yeah, my “regiment” for eating lacks a lot to be desired too.
Funny, I started off with Byetta wonderfully. Yep, bit of stomach bloating, a little “burps” in my throat. In my case, it got worse. Two months later I was up-chucking everything I ate. Yeah, great for my weight loss but was terrible for my “activeness in life”. For the time I was on Byetta, I felt like I was on “something”. I don’t like that,
fyi, I just had my 3 mos check up today. Healthy as a horse albeit a fat butt I am.
I’m quite proud of myself from a year ago and working with a really cool doctor,, Dr Patricia Eseverri. She talks to me like one of my sisters.
She’s cool as they come.
Goor
January 22, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Oops, I’m sorry.
I’m back on 1000mg Metformin/twice a day and 15mg Actos/day.
48 year old big boy that feels like I’m 28.
Dawn
February 27, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Well I don’t know if this drug is directly related to Pancreatic Cancer or not but I do belive more of a study should me made. My dad was on it till Dec when he was told he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He did not have the risk factors for it. He was on it just about 2 years.
Judy
March 1, 2009 at 4:23 am
Hey Dawn,
I’m sorry to hear that your dad is having to deal with pancreatic cancer. John, my husband, has been dealing with cancer since Sept 07. He started at Stage IV. If he were restaged, it would only be locally advanced (stage II). We know it was the Byetta. Just know I’m praying for you, your dad and your family. Don’t ever give up. John was given 3 to 6 months … he’s still here.
DEL
March 1, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Check out the FDA.gov site yourself and you’ll see there are no warnings on Byetta (if there are I couldn’t find it). People with Diabetes (which I am one) have a higher chance of getting pancreatitis to begin with. Therefore, 30 people out or let’s say a million or so people taking Byetta is hardly a representable population in establishing a link between Byetta and Pancreatitis. I’ve been taking Byetta for two years, and after having blood work done a week ago there was no change in those two years. I will continue to take the Byetta.
Sue
March 1, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I have written before and I am a little frustrated as I keep reading notices from people regarding Pancreatic Cancer and no one seems to care. I lost my husband in September of 2006 just 8 months after starting Byetta. By the time it was diagnosed it was Stage 4. I spoke to a law firm who is handling the Pacreatitis case but are not at all interested if someone had pancreatic cancer unless they had Pancreatitis first. My concern is to prevent others from getting this deadly cancer. This drug is so new that they really don’t know the outcome. Suppose in 4 or 5 years they realize it is a problem? How many people will die because of their “greed” ? Granted there are some who do not seem to have any problems but a lot more that do. A medicne that makes people feel so sick cannot be good. My best to all of you.
Brian
March 10, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Spent 30days on Byetta 5mg twice a day. Lowered my gls to high acceptable levels. Nausea was common but decreasing.
After the initial trial of 30 days I was increased to 10mg twice a day. It’s been 8 days on the new dose and the nausea is horrible. I’am ready to throw in the towel. Gls are coming down but at what price? What foods and or vitamins are u finding trigger the nausea? Taking metformin 1000mg twice a day along with Byetta. Type II, 56,5′8″ 200#
Sharon Conaway
March 11, 2009 at 5:57 am
For Brian: Here’s my suggestion. You must be new to Byetta. I’ve been on it for over a year now. You said you were on 5 mg twice a day for 30 days and that the nausea was decreasing. That means you were getting used to that dosage and the nausea would have eventually ceased. At that point, you could have been increased to the 10 mg and not had such a bad reaction. Perhaps the doc didn’t give you enough time before he raised you. You should speak to your doctor about this. I also take Metformin 1,000 mg twice a day along with the Byetta. The reason I’m making this suggestion is because of what happened with me. It took me the full two-month adjustment period to get over the nausea on 5 mg twice a day, and I, too, was going to throw in the towel. Now I’m glad I didn’t. Lost a lot of weight. Then after a while, I noticed the 5 mg twice a day kind of lost its punch. The old appetite was returning to some degree, and I put on some weight. So, my doctor raised me to 10 mg twice a day. No nausea and the results are better.
renae
March 12, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I just started byetta 10mcg bid. I have no side eff nausa etc but my sugars are going up to 300 or better. I also take glucophage bid. anyone ever have this prob?
Melanie
March 12, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Perhaps you have not yet given it enough time? OR: perhaps you need to take something like metformin instead of glucophage. The final thought I had: perhaps you need to be on insulin instead of Byetta? I really don’t know, I’m not at all a medical person. Keep your diary, share your numbers with your doctor, and keep trying. Good Luck to you!
Sharon Conaway
March 13, 2009 at 1:13 am
Melanie, metformin is the generic/chemical name for Glucophage (brand name for the drug metformin)so it’s the same drug. I’m not a medical person, either, just someone who takes metformin now and who took the brand name Glucophage before it went generic.
Renae, it’s not unusual during the adjustment period with Byetta for sugar levels to go a little wild before they settle down. It happened with me, although not as extreme as it seems to have done with you. I’d give it some time, but, of course, ask your doctor about this.
,
Barbara
April 2, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I was just told about byetta by my doctor so decide to research the drug. All these posts are really informative and many mention the nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite being like gastric bypass.
Has anyone with gastric bypass taken byetta? I had gastric bypass 10 yrs ago and was very sucessful but wonder if with the smaller stomach and absorption issues I have with iron this might not be good for me.
Ken
April 2, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Barbara, 10 years ago you had the bypass surgery and you still have Type2 diabetes today?
Beth
April 29, 2009 at 8:51 am
Barbara,
I recently had gastric bypass surgery (2 years ago) and have the same question. I still have issues with my blood sugar being too high so my doctor put me on Byetta.
Since we no longer use our “stomach”, I wondered if Byetta works the same as those that do use their stomach.
Judy Cush
April 30, 2009 at 9:22 am
Sue,
I too have now lost my huband to pancreatic cancer that started with the Byetta. I understand your frustration. When links appear about the possibility of cancer they are quickly broken. I miss him greatly. I hope others are paying attention.
Judy
Suz
July 13, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hi, I never post on sites like this but I feel Compelled to at this time. My husband (45), was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 2 yrs ago. It took him 3 months to get his numbers below 500! He has kept it under control with diet change and committed exercise for 2 yrs now. My father was told he was borderline diabetic (numbers in the 150-180 range) the same year. His Dr. put him on Byetta. He lost weight and thought it was great. He tried to get my husband to take it several times. Over the last year my father has had a lot of abdominal pain and almost chronic diarhea. He was in and out of the Dr. being tested for everything from chrones disease to colon cancer. They couldn’t figure it out. They never told him it could be from the Byetta. In March of this year he had severe pains in his ribs and back. He went to the Dr,.. only to be sent to the chiropractor…. twice. The pain was so bad that he thought the chiro. had broken his ribs. The next morning he went to the ER. where they recognized it as pancreatitis. (Never drank alchohol in his life) On March 27th he was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I just got back from his funeral. He died on June 28th. 90 days. He was 62. For those of you that enjoy taking Byetta… fine. Please don’t encourage others to take it. Before we left my mother last week she took two perscriptions of Byetta out of the fridge and asked my husband if he had ever thought of taking it, and that if he had, he should get the perscription and that she would give it to him because it is expensive and she didn’t want to throw it away. I had a VERY strong impression that he shouldn’t, but I didn’t say anything. I talked with my sister later and said ” I just don’t feel good about that RX. Who knows, there could be some link between it and his Pancreatic cancer” We got home today and I decieded to google byetta. I have spent the last 6 hrs reading posts from people with similar stories as mine. Sometimes it takes yrs to find out how many people a drug affected. Many people (like my mom) don’t even suspect something like that so it isn’t researched or reported. Anyway, thanks for everyones info. and listening ear.
It’s hard to loose a dad at 37. Of course we don’t know, but is it worth the risk?
sbsumners
July 23, 2009 at 5:07 am
Hello all, I lost my mother in febuary of 2009 to pancreatic cancer, which i believe was caused by byetta. I am contacting a lawyer to see what if anything can be done. This stuff is made from the saliva of a gila monster, which is basically sticking a poison into your body. if anyone would like to pursue a lawyer with me contact me at fnsumners@yahoo.com. thanks. good luck to you all..
RC
November 2, 2009 at 7:58 am
I have been on Byetta for 4 months and love it. I have lost 40 lbs. and counting. I had the nausea etc. and didn’t think I could stay on it. My daughter had been on it, too. She lost 60 lbs. with it. She said I was experiencing nausea because I was eating too much or too fast. She was right. I now eat kid’s meals when I take my shot. Even then I don’t eat it all. I also like Smart Ones by Weight Watchers. I eat 1/2 a meal at a time. I also am on a multi-vitamin since I probably am not getting enough nutrients from what I eat. I feel better than I have for years. I plan to stay on it as long as I don’t have any of the dangerous symptoms or until I meet my weight loss goal of 80 lbs. My sugars no longer test in the diabetic range.
sonja
December 4, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Today I read on the Net that Byetta is also linked with KIDNEY PROBLEMS like failure or stones. If you suspect this, get your creatinine clearance checked. I have been on Byetta less than a month but am considering getting off it until this medicine will have been tested a lot more. Be aware, people.