Exenatide

A healthcare provider may prescribe exenatide injections to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Exenatide works by increasing insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of sugar produced by the liver. Prior to taking exenatide, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems, any allergies, or diabetic gastroparesis. The dosage of exenatide that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on several factors, such as how well your diabetes is controlled, other medical conditions you may have, and other medications you may be taking.

 

What Is Exenatide?

Exenatide (Byetta®) is a prescription medication licensed to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). Although exenatide is taken by injection, it is not a form of insulin and is not intended to treat type 1 diabetes. Exenatide is approved only for use in combination with certain oral diabetes drugs. Interestingly, exenatide was first discovered in the saliva of gila monster lizards.
 
(Click Exenatide Uses for more information on what exenatide is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Side Effects of Exenatide

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with exenatide. However, not everyone who takes exenatide will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate exenatide well. When exenatide side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
The most common side effects of exenatide include:
 
(Click Side Effects of Exenatide to learn about the specific side effects of exenatide, including serious side effects to look out for. You can also read about other possible side effects by going to Byetta for Weight Loss.)
 
(Exenatide Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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