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“This medical records review is consistent with a related earlier analysis of claims data, which showed no evidence for a higher risk of acute pancreatitis associated with the use of BYETTA compared to other common antidiabetes therapies,”(i) said Orville G. Kolterman, M.D., senior vice president, chief medical officer, Amylin Pharmaceuticals.”The study suggested that cases of pancreatitis in past BYETTA users may be related to other risk factors, such as gall stones, past acute pancreatitis and obesity.”
Amylin and Lilly are continuing work to better understand the relationship between BYETTA and pancreatitis described in some spontaneously reported cases. In keeping with the companies’ focus on patient safety, Amylin and Lilly continue to pursue a drug safety program that includes thorough investigation of individual spontaneous case reports along with clinical and epidemiologic studies. Patients and healthcare professionals should refer to product labeling for guidance regarding the use of BYETTA.
Study Design and Findings
Eligible patients were enrolled in the healthcare plan for at least a continuous nine-month baseline period with no history of chronic or acute pancreatitis prior to initiation of a new antidiabetic therapy. Adjudication of 652 claims-identified acute pancreatitis cases resulted in 40 confirmed acute pancreatitis cases in the BYETTA initiators and 254 confirmed cases in the other antidiabetic drug initiators. The NCCS analysis incorporated covariates (claims- and chart-derived) temporally related to acute pancreatitis occurrence to account for differences in the prevalence of risk factors between patients who persisted on or discontinued the study drugs.
About Diabetes
Diabetes affects more than 24 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 285 million adults worldwide.(ii,iii) Approximately 90-95 percent of those affected have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the U.S. and costs approximately $174 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses.(iv)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, approximately 60 percent of people with diabetes do not achieve their target blood sugar levels with their current treatment regimen.(v) In addition, 85 percent of type 2 diabetes patients are overweight and 55 percent are considered obese.(vi) Data indicate that weight loss (even a modest amount) supports patients in their efforts to achieve and sustain glycemic control.(vii,viii)
About BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection
BYETTA is the first FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. BYETTA exhibits many of the same effects as the human incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 improves blood sugar after food intake through multiple effects that work in concert on the stomach, liver, pancreas and brain.
BYETTA is an injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, when used with a diet and exercise program. BYETTA is not insulin and should not be taken instead of insulin. BYETTA is not recommended to be taken with insulin. BYETTA is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis.
BYETTA provides sustained A1C control and low incidence of hypoglycemia when used alone or in combination with metformin or a thiazolidinedione, with potential weight loss. BYETTA is not a weight-loss product. BYETTA was approved in April 2005 and has been used by more than one million patients since its introduction. See important safety information below. Additional information about BYETTA is available at http://www.byetta.com/.
About Amylin and Lilly
Amylin Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving lives of patients through the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines. Amylin has developed and gained approval for two first-in-class medicines for diabetes, SYMLIN(R) (pramlintide acetate) injection and BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection. Amylin’s research and development activities leverage the Company’s expertise in metabolism to develop potential therapies to treat diabetes and obesity. Amylin is headquartered in San Diego, California. Further information on Amylin Pharmaceuticals is available at http://www.amylin.com/.
Through a long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly seeks to provide patients with breakthrough treatments that enable them to live longer, healthier and fuller lives. Since 1923, Lilly has been an industry leader in pioneering therapies to help healthcare professionals improve the lives of people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. For more information about Lilly’s current diabetes products, visit http://www.lillydiabetes.com/.
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world’s most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/.
