Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN)

[surf1944]

2:53PM Amylin Pharms: FDA confirms Byetta label revised to include safety information on possible kidney problems (AMLN) 12.04 +1.00 : The U.S. Food and Drug Administration acted on new safety information about possible kidney function problems, including kidney failure, in patients taking Byetta (exenatide), a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes. From April 2005 through October 2008, the FDA received 78 reports of problems with kidney function in patients using Byetta. Some cases occurred in patients with pre-existing kidney disease or in patients with one or more risk factors for developing kidney problems. Nearly 7 million prescriptions for Byetta were dispensed between April 2005 and September 2008. The 78 cases represent a small percentage of the total number of patients using the drug to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. The most common side effects associated with Byetta include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects may have contributed to the development of altered kidney function. Kidney malfunction can result in a build-up of waste products in the blood, leading to serious illness or life-threatening conditions... Byetta is manufactured by San Diego-based Amylin Pharmaceuticals... See 14:18 prior comment.