Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
Pharmaceutical name: Exenatide
Pack: 1 prefilled pen injection (1.2 ml (5 mcg))
Byetta is utilized for the treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is an injectable medication that aids in lowering blood sugar levels without contributing to weight gain.
Although administered via injection, Byetta is not insulin; it belongs to a group of diabetes medications known as incretin mimetics. It was the first drug in this category to be authorized for the management of type 2 diabetes.
Byetta functions by boosting insulin secretion from the pancreas, inhibiting glucagon (the hormone that elevates blood sugar levels), and slowing glucose absorption from the intestines. These combined effects help lower blood sugar levels and can lead to reduced appetite. Like other incretin mimetic drugs, Byetta has the added benefit of assisting with weight loss. It is injected subcutaneously twice daily, typically one hour prior to breakfast and dinner, with doses usually given in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
Side Effects: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; headache; nervousness; and stomach pain.