Byetta Kidney Failure Tests & Diagnosis

Experts recommend that people with type-2 diabetes who use Byetta (exenatide) should undergo periodic tests of kidney function, because Byetta may increase the risk of kidney failure and decrease kidney function (renal insufficiency). Medical tests for kidney failure include blood tests, urine tests, and non-invasive imaging tests (such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan).

What You Can Do & How a Byetta Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Byetta induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by Byetta, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Byetta and Kidney Failure

Byetta (exenatide) is an anti-diabetes medication that was created by Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co. Over 7 million prescriptions for Byetta have been dispensed since it was introduced to the U.S. market in 2005. It is unknown whether Byetta causes kidney failure. Studies have found that people with diabetes have about twice the risk of developing kidney problems as people without diabetes. Byetta may increase this risk further, but no one knows for sure.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a Safety Communication in 2009 to warn that Byetta was linked to nearly 80 cases of kidney failure — including 62 cases of kidney failure and 16 cases of renal insufficiency. The FDA also recommended that doctors should be cautious when prescribing Byetta to people at risk of kidney problems, and Byetta should not be used in people with kidney failure or chronic kidney disease.

Byetta Kidney Failure Tests & Diagnosis

Byetta patients with kidney disease may not show symptoms or complications in the early stages, which can delay diagnosis. In many cases, kidney disease is diagnosed when the patient undergoes tests for another medical condition. Experts recommend that people with risk factors for kidney disease (type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, family history, or those taking medications like Byetta) should undergo periodic tests to evaluate kidney function. The earlier kidney disease is diagnosed, the better the long-term outlook.

Byetta patients may need the following tests to diagnose kidney failure:

• Blood tests: A doctor will draw a sample of blood from a patient and check the GFR (glomerular filtration rate). This shows how efficiently the kidneys are filtering waste products from blood. The muscles produce a waste product called creatine. If the patient has high levels of creatine (or a low GFR), this may suggest kidney disease.
• Urine test: Doctors take a sample of urine and look for elevated levels of albumin, which is a blood protein. If the kidneys are damaged, albumin may pass into the urine. Doctors may be able to estimate the level of kidney damage depending on the amount of albumin in the blood.
• Imaging tests: These tests may include an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to create a picture of the kidneys. They can also help a doctor diagnose kidney disease that is acute, chronic, or caused by a blockage in the kidneys.

Do I have a Byetta Lawsuit for Kidney Failure?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Byetta induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by Byetta, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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