Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
Pharmaceutical name: Exenatide
Pack: 1 prefilled pen injection (2.4 ml (10 mcg))
Byetta is utilized for the treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes. This injectable medication aids in reducing blood sugar levels without causing weight gain.
Although Byetta is administered via injection, it is not insulin; rather, it belongs to a class of diabetes medications known as incretin mimetics. It was the first drug of this class to receive approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Byetta functions by enhancing insulin secretion from the pancreas, diminishing the action of glucagon (the hormone that raises blood sugar levels), and decelerating the glucose absorption from the intestines. These combined effects lead to lower blood sugar levels and help reduce appetite. Compared to many other diabetes medications, Byetta and other incretin mimetic drugs offer the benefit of promoting weight loss. It is administered through subcutaneous injection twice daily, typically one hour before breakfast and dinner. Common injection sites include the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
Side Effects: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; headache; nervousness; and abdominal pain.