Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Byetta

Generic Name: exenatide (Pronunciation: ex EN a tide)

• What is exenatide (Byetta)?
• What are the possible side effects of exenatide (Byetta)?
• What is the most important information I should know about exenatide (Byetta)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using exenatide (Byetta)?
• How should I use exenatide (Byetta)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Byetta)?
• What happens if I overdose (Byetta)?
• What should I avoid while using exenatide (Byetta)?
• What other drugs will affect exenatide (Byetta)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is exenatide (Byetta)?

Exenatide is an injectable diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your pancreas produce insulin more efficiently.

Exenatide is used to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with exenatide if needed.

Exenatide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of exenatide (Byetta)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using exenatide and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst;
• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fast heart rate.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea;
• loss of appetite;
• weight loss; or
• dizziness, headache, or feeling jittery.

Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them:

• hunger, headache, confusion, irritability;
• drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors;
• sweating, fast heartbeat;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).

Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about exenatide (Byetta)?

Do not use exenatide to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Before using exenatide, tell your doctor if you use any of these oral diabetes medications: acetohexamide (Dymelor), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide (Orinase).

You must use this medication within 60 minutes (1 hour) before eating a meal. If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember, but only if you have not yet eaten a meal. If you have already eaten a meal, wait until your next scheduled dose (1 hour before a meal) to use the medicine. Your exenatide doses should be spaced at least 6 hours apart. Do not use exenatide after eating a meal.

Stop using exenatide and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with nausea, vomiting, and a fast heart rate. These could be symptoms of pancreatitis.

It is important to use exenatide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, you will need to check your blood sugar at home. Your blood will also need to be tested by your doctor on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

If you are using any type of antibiotic or birth control pill, take these medicines at least 1 hour before you use exenatide.