The FDA announced that the popular diabetes drug Byetta will receive a new warning label to highlight the potential risk of kidney-related side effects. The FDA has received 78 complaints of kidney problems from Byetta users. More than 60 of these patients suffered renal failure, which can lead to serious injury and even death.

The new Byetta warning label advises doctors to watch for signs of kidney problems, particularly when starting or changing doses in patients with moderate kidney disease. The new label will also stress that patients with end-stage kidney disease or serious renal impairment should not use Byetta. The FDA believes that some of the patients who reported Byetta kidney side effects suffered from pre-existing kidney disease or had one or more risk factors for developing such a condition.

Byetta (exenatide) is an injectable drug used to control blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Manufactured by Amylin Pharmacueticals and Eli Lilly and Co., Byetta has been prescribed to nearly 7 million people between April 2005 and Sept. 2008. While the percentage of patients who develop kidney problems is low in comparison to the total number of users, the drug can cause other bothersome side effects. The most common Byetta side effects reported by users include diarrhea and vomiting. The FDA believes that these Byetta side effects may have contributed to the development of altered kidney function in users. Kidney malfunction can lead to a build-up of waste products in the blood, which can lead to serious or possibly fatal complications.

Patients taking Byetta should be aware of the following symptoms, as they could be a sign of kidney problems:

• Changes in urine color
• Changes in the frequency of urination
• Changes in the amount of urine output
• Unexplained swelling of the feet or hands
• Fatigue
• Changes in digestion
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Dull aching in the mid or lower back

Patients experiencing symptoms of Byetta kidney problems should speak to their doctor immediately.

Have you or a loved one developed kidney problems while using Byetta? If so, contact a Byetta attorney today by filling out our free case review form below. Our Byetta lawyers may be able to recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries.