FDA Links Diabetes Drug Byetta To Deaths Of Two Patients

Washington (dbTechno) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Monday that the popular diabetes drug Byetta has been linked to deaths of two patients.

Byetta is from Eli Lilly & Co, as well as Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The two patients died due to an inflamed pancreas, according to the FDA.

With that said, the FDA is now hopeful that they can get stronger warnings for the medicine, to try and avoid more deaths in the future.

Since October 2007, there have been six patients who entered the hospital due to a reaction from Byetta. The reaction caused them to develop acute pancreatitis.

The FDA is now pushing for stronger labels, so that patients will know about the risks associated with Byetta.

The other patients who fell ill are said to be still recovering.

Upon the news, shares dropped for the drug companies.