The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced an investigation into reports that Type 2 diabetes drugs Januvia and Byetta are associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
The FDA previously issued warnings related to these drugs over an increased risk of pancreatitis. Additionally, a recent study in JAMA's Internal Medicine reported data showing that patients taking the newest class of Type 2 diabetes drugs, including Januvia and Byetta, have double the risk of being hospitalized with acute pancreatitis.
More than 1 million patients have taken these drugs, and Januvia generated sales of more than $4 billion last year, while Byetta generated sales of $310 million.