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It is usually wonderful news when new prescription medications become available to the public to fight some of the most serious diseases.  When we hear about heart problems, high blood pressure, cancer, HIV, strokes or diabetes, the release of each new medication is a ray of hope for individuals who are suffering from and trying to overcome serious health issues.

As most of us know, however, there is often a plus side and a minus side when new medications are released.  Sometimes difficulties arise during various medical trials and medications don’t end up getting released to the public.  With other medications, there are no major problems and the release – and ultimate use of the medication – goes along smoothly and helps many people.

There can also be another result with new medications.  Sometimes, a medication comes out and after it has been released, problems begin to occur.  This is the case regarding Amylin and Eli Lilly who are co-creators of a new drug for diabetes called Byetta.

Byetta has been taken by over 1 million people for treatment of their diabetes.  Recently, however, there has been a development that has caused Amylin, Eli Lilly and the FDA a tremendous amount of concern. 

During the past two weeks several people who were taking Byetta developed acute pancreatitis and subsequently died.  Some of these individuals had other health issues, however, their symptoms were similar to the individuals who did not have their same health issues – except for diabetes – and developed the same symptoms as the others that developed pancreatitis and died.

It is important to note that individuals with diabetes develop pancreatitis about 3 times as much as individuals without diabetes.  Pancreatitis is a very painful swelling of the pancreas which can lead to internal bleeding and death.

Though there is not a clear and definite connection between Byetta and death from pancreatitis, there is still cause for concern and the issue is being studied and researched in depth.  The companies and the FDA are working hard to continue to keep physicians and consumers up to date with further developments.