Delta Burke to Americans: Let's Talk about Managing Diabetes
SAN DIEGO and INDIANAPOLIS, March 14, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Stage, screen and film actress Delta Burke is leading the BYETTA Let's Talk campaign, sponsored by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). The BYETTA Let's Talk campaign is designed to educate people with type 2 diabetes about the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle, including taking the right medications. To learn more about the campaign, type 2 diabetes and BYETTA, log on to www.ByettaLetsTalk.com.
Did you know that there are more than 20 million Americans who have diabetes -- the majority of whom are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? That's enough people to fill all 31 professional football stadiums nearly 10 times! People who have type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin and/or the cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults over the age of 40, but is increasingly common in younger people.
"I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 41," said Ms. Burke, who has recently appeared on the ABC television show "Boston Legal." "I want to get people talking about better management of this disease. By addressing diabetes head on, I'm in better control of my blood sugar, and I'm able to pursue my love of acting. So let's talk about proper eating, let's talk about ways to increase activity, and let's talk about how medication can play an important role. For me, adding BYETTA has made a real difference, and I am excited to have the opportunity to share my story with others who live with type 2 diabetes."
The BYETTA Let's Talk campaign will launch in Boston on March 17 at the New England Spring Flower Show. Over the summer, the campaign will visit 10 cities throughout the United States. At most events, attendees will hear firsthand from Delta Burke about her experience with type 2 diabetes and how BYETTA helps her manage the disease. Other exciting components to the campaign include:
-- Chris Smith, The Diabetic Chef, will be sharing recipes of and
preparing healthy, delicious dishes.
-- Nikki Kimbrough, fitness trainer from Bally Total Fitness,
demonstrating easy ways to incorporate physical activity into your
daily life.
-- Virginia Valentine, a certified diabetes educator, will be available to
talk one-on-one with attendees about the disease and BYETTA(R)
(exenatide) injection as a treatment option.
-- Booth giveaways including FlashCarbs flashcards that help people with
type 2 diabetes count carbohydrates.
"As a certified diabetes educator and someone with type 2 diabetes, I know what it takes to manage diabetes successfully. Every day, I talk with people with diabetes about leading a healthy, active lifestyle and taking the right medications," said certified diabetes educator Virginia Valentine, who will accompany Ms. Burke during the BYETTA Let's Talk campaign. "This campaign is designed to reach people with type 2 diabetes who may not know the best way to control their condition!"
For more information about the campaign, type 2 diabetes and BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection, and for a list of campaign events and dates, go to www.ByettaLetsTalk.com.
About the BYETTA Let's Talk campaign
The BYETTA Let's Talk campaign, sponsored by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company, is designed to educate people with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers about the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle, including taking the right medications, such as adding treatment with BYETTA, to help successfully manage type 2 diabetes. The campaign, featuring stage, screen and film actress Delta Burke, will travel to ten cities across the United States. Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with fitness experts, chefs, healthcare professionals and others with diabetes, including Ms. Burke, about diabetes management. For more information about the BYETTA Let's Talk campaign, to download recipes, watch exercise demonstrations, and read Delta's Diary, go to www.ByettaLetsTalk.com.
About BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection
BYETTA is the first in a new class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes called incretin mimetics. BYETTA exhibits many of the same effects as the human incretin hormone glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 improves blood sugar after food intake through multiple effects that work in concert on the stomach, liver, pancreas and brain. BYETTA is approved by the FDA for use by people with type 2 diabetes who are unsuccessful at controlling their blood sugar levels. BYETTA is an add-on therapy for people currently using metformin, a sulfonylurea, or a thiazolidinedione. For full prescribing information, visit www.BYETTA.com.
About Diabetes
Diabetes affects more than 20 million in the United States and an estimated 194 million adults worldwide.(1,2) Approximately 90-95 percent of those affected have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States and costs approximately $132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses.(3)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, approximately 60 percent of people with diabetes do not achieve their target blood sugar levels with their current treatment regimen.(4)
Important Safety Information for BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection
BYETTA improves glucose (blood sugar) control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are taking metformin, a sulfonylurea, or a thiazolidinedione. BYETTA is not a substitute for insulin in patients whose diabetes requires insulin treatment. BYETTA is not recommended for use in patients with severe problems with the stomach or food digestion, or those who have severe kidney disease. Before using BYETTA, patients should tell their healthcare provider if they are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. BYETTA has not been studied in children.
When BYETTA is used with a medicine that contains a sulfonylurea, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a possible side effect. To reduce this possibility, the dose of sulfonylurea medicine may need to be reduced while using BYETTA. Other common side effects with BYETTA include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, feeling jittery, and acid stomach. Nausea is most common when first starting BYETTA, but decreases over time in most patients. BYETTA may reduce appetite, the amount of food eaten, and body weight. No changes in dose are needed for these side effects. These are not all the side effects with BYETTA. A healthcare provider should be consulted about any side effect that is bothersome or does not go away.
For complete safety profile and other important prescribing considerations, visit www.BYETTA.com.
About Amylin and Lilly
Amylin Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving lives through the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines. Amylin has developed and gained approval for two first-in-class medicines for diabetes. Amylin's research and development activities leverage the company's expertise in metabolism to develop potential therapies to treat diabetes and obesity. Amylin is located in San Diego, California with over 1,500 employees nationwide. For more information about Amylin and the company's diabetes products, visit www.amylin.com.
Through a long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly provides patients with breakthrough treatments that enable them to live longer, healthier and fuller lives. Since 1923, Lilly has been the industry leader in pioneering therapies to help health care professionals improve the lives of people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. For more information about Lilly's current diabetes products visit www.lillydiabetes.com.
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.
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(1) The International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas. Available at: http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?unode=3B96906B-C026-2FD3-87B73F80BC22682A.
Accessed April 12, 2005.
(2) "All About Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. Available at
http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp. Accessed November 9, 2006.
(3) "Direct and Indirect Costs of Diabetes in the United States." American
Diabetes Association. Available at
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/cost-of-diabetes-in-us.jsp.
Accessed November 9, 2006.
(4) Harris MI, Eastman RC, Cowie CC, Flegal KM, Eberhardt MS. Racial and
ethnic differences in glycemic control of adults with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Care. 1999;22:403-408.
02-07-4220-A
BYETTA is a registered trademark of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Media contacts: Lilly - Jamaison Schuler
(317) 655-2111
Amylin - Alice Bahner
(858) 642-7272
SOURCE Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company
Jamaison Schuler for Lilly, +1-317-655-2111; or Alice Bahner for Amylin, +1-858-642-7272
http://www.lilly.com
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