Byetta (Exenatide) for Diabetes

Overview

Byetta is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat diabetes in adults. Byetta is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise. Byetta is also referred to by its drug name, Exenatide. Your doctor may prescribe a long-acting insulin such as Lantus along with Byetta.

Byetta is an incretin mimetic. Byetta mimes the effects of incretin, which signals the pancreas to make more insulin and prevents the liver from releasing glucose. Byetta is believed to work by normalizing blood glucose levels. Byetta also causes weight loss.

How do I take it?

Prescribing information states that Byetta should be administered via a subcutaneous injection. Byetta is usually taken within 60 minutes before morning and evening meals, at least six hours apart.

Byetta comes as a liquid in prefilled pens.

Side effects

The FDA-approved label for Byetta lists common side effects including hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Byetta include pancreatitis, which may be fatal.