Patients who take Byetta (exenatide) and develop kidney failure are at risk of life-threatening complications. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products and fluid from the bloodstream. If they stop working, complications can occur in nearly every organ system in the body. These complications may include heart failure, anemia, chemical imbalances in the blood, fluid-build up in the lungs, and more.
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 Complications
The injectable diabetes drug Byetta (exenatide) has been linked to nearly 80 cases of acute kidney failure and renal insufficiency (poor kidney function). These life-threatening kidney disorders can occur rapidly, within a matter of days. The kidneys may fail to remove waste products and fluid from the blood. They may also fail to balance salts, minerals, and electrolytes in the blood.
Byetta patients may develop kidney failure complications, including:
- Anemia: Normally, the kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates bone marrow to produce the right amount of red blood cells. Damaged kidneys may not produce enough EPO, which can lead to low red blood cell counts, anemia, and other complications.
- Fluid build-up: This can occur if the kidneys fail to remove excess fluids from the bloodstream. Fluid may accumulate in the chest and cause shortness of breath or pneumonia.
- Chest pain: This may be a complication of fluid retention or an infection in the heart.
- Infective endocarditis: This is a bacterial infection of the lining around the heart. It is significantly more likely in patients who undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Dialysis: Patients with end-stage kidney disease may need to visit a dialysis clinic to have their blood mechanically cleaned.
- High blood pressure: Healthy kidneys produce an enzyme called renin, which is involved in blood vessel tension and blood pressure. Without renin, hypertension (high blood pressure) may occur.
- Muscle weakness: If the kidneys fail to regulate the balance of salts and electrolytes in the body, muscle weakness can occur.
- High potassium (hyperkalemia): This is another complication that can occur if the kidneys are not balancing minerals and salts in the blood.
- Kidney transplant: Patients who have a damaged kidney replaced with a healthy kidney require life-long follow-up treatment.
- Death: Byetta kidney failure complications have been linked to at least 4 deaths.
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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