There has been a decent amount of coverage on the prescription drugs Januvia and Byetta. Januvia (sitagliptin) and Byetta are both injectable drugs, and provide a new way of treating type 2 diabetes. They both help control blood sugar levels by encouraging production of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). They have potential advantages over older medications, said Dr. Peter Butler, director of the Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles
Every drug has side effects, even aspirin. These side effects are listed on the package insert, and are provided at the drug company’s discretion. As patients, people need to read the package insert and be aware of potential side effects that come with the use of the drugs they may be consuming.
Dr. Mary Ann Banerji, director of the Diabetes Treatment Center at SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn in New York City, said the concerns about Januvia and Byetta should not be blown out of proportion. Doctors prescribe drugs on an individual basis, because, in the end, all of medicine is individual. Banerji goes on to say that “we should use these drugs judiciously along with metformin” because epidemiological studies have not established a significantly increased risk of pancreatitis associated with Byetta.
For more on the USA Today article please look here.
While all drugs have many side effects, they do not affect all people. In most cases, the benefits of the drugs out weigh the potential side effects. That being said, if you or a loved one may be experiencing side effects while using Januvia or Byetta, stop taking the drug and talk to your doctor.
Technology and medical breakthroughs provide humans with more opportunity to live longer and handle health conditions in a safe and timely manner. The advancement in technology provides great advantages, but there are also many disadvantages. Today, physicians are using robots to do surgery and there are countless prescription drugs to help with health issues ranging from a headache to cancer. Although great things have come from medical discoveries, the large amounts of side effects are one disadvantage of all of the medications that pharmaceutical companies are producing.
Some side effects are unavoidable. However, as patients and consumers of prescription drugs, we need to be aware of the side effects. Reading the package insert, along with the directions for consumption is an essential step for even the simplest drugs. While not all of the side effects are serious nor will they all affect us, it is important to know what you are putting in your body and what the ratio is between the potential benefits and potential side effects.
If you or a loved one has been affected by Januvia, Byetta or any prescription drugs please call us for a free consultation. Even though the side effects are listed on the packaging, justice can still be sought.
Borchardt Law Firm represent clients in Texas in cases similar to this one. Feel free to give us a call.
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