Diabetes Drug Blamed for Deaths, FDA Works on New Warning

Federal regulators are working on a stronger warning label for a widely used diabetes drug after new deaths were reported despite earlier warnings.

The Food and Drug Administration says it has received six new reports of patients developing pancreatitis while taking Byetta, which is marketed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. Two of the patients died and four were recovering.

The announcement updates an October alert about pancreas-related problems with the drug. The FDA reiterated that patients should stop taking Byetta immediately if they develop signs of pancreatitis.