Sales of Diabetes Treatment Byetta Continue to Fall

San Diego, CASales of the diabetes drug Byetta have continued to decline since it was linked to the development of acute pancreatitis in some cases.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Byetta, recently announced that the falling sales of the diabetes drug were slightly offset by lowered cost in terms of its second-quarter profits, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek. The drug company lost only $44.2 million, or 31 cents per share, during the second quarter, compared to the $62 million, or 44 cents per share, it lost in the first three-month period of the year.

In addition, the drugmaker's revenue fell by 17 percent from $198.6 million to $164.4 million. The losses might have been greater had Amylin not lowered its cost 21 percent to $203 million.

The sales of Byetta, a twice daily injectable diabetes medication, declined 20 percent, to $140.7 million.

In addition to the pancreatic problems that can occur from using Byetta, the drug has recently been linked to an increased risk of kidney problems.