Exenatide

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Bydureon BCise; Bydureon [DSC]; Byetta 10 MCG Pen; Byetta 5 MCG Pen

Brand Names: Canada

Bydureon [DSC]; Byetta 10 MCG Pen [DSC]; Byetta 5 MCG Pen [DSC]

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

For all patients taking this drug:

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have stomach or bowel problems.
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you have type 1 diabetes. Do not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes.
• If you have ever had pancreatitis.
• If you have ever had a low platelet count caused by exenatide.
• If you are using insulin.
• If you are using another drug that has the same drug in it.

Children:

• If the patient is a child. Not all injection products are approved for use in children. Talk with the doctor to see if this product may be used in children.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Follow the diet and exercise plan that your doctor told you about.
• Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Birth control taken by mouth may not work as well to prevent pregnancy if taken at the same time as this drug. If you are taking birth control by mouth, take it at least 1 hour before taking this drug. If you must take your birth control with food, take it with a meal or snack at a time when you do not also take this drug.
• This drug may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If you take other drugs by mouth, you may need to take them at some other time than this drug. Talk with your doctor.
• It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Do not share with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing your tray or pen may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.
• Kidney problems have happened with this drug. Some people have needed dialysis or a kidney transplant. Talk with the doctor.
• If you cannot drink liquids by mouth or if you have upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away, you need to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to low blood pressure or to new or worsening kidney problems.
• Gallbladder problems have happened. In some cases, gallstones have led to having the gallbladder removed. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• If you will be having any surgery or procedure that uses anesthesia or deep sedation, talk with your doctor. This drug may raise the risk of food getting into the lungs during this type of surgery or other procedure.
• If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Bydureon and Bydureon BCise:

• Very bad skin problems have happened where the shot was given. Sometimes surgery was needed for these skin problems. Talk with the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; change in stools; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Area that feels hard, blisters, dark scab, lumps, open wound, pain, swelling, or other very bad skin irritation where the shot was given.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
• Low platelet counts and severe bleeding have rarely happened with this drug. Sometimes, severe bleeding may be deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Constipation, diarrhea, throwing up, or upset stomach.
• Heartburn.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Feeling jittery.
• Small bump where the shot is given.
• Itching where the shot is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm.
• If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with insulin.
• Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Byetta^®:

• Take within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meals (or before the two main meals of the day). Be sure your doses are taken at least 6 hours apart. Do not take after a meal.
• Prepare pen before first use.
• Dial the dose into the window before each use.
• Do not give if the solution is not clear and colorless.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.
• Attach new needle before each dose.

Bydureon and Bydureon BCise:

• This drug needs to be mixed before use. Follow how to mix as you were told by the doctor.
• If stored in a refrigerator, let this drug come to room temperature before mixing. Do not heat this drug.
• Use right away after mixing.
• Take the same day each week.
• Move site where you give the shot each time.
• If you are also using insulin, you may inject this drug and the insulin in the same area of the body but not right next to each other.
• Take with or without food.
• This drug will look cloudy and milky when ready to use. Do not use if the solution looks clear or has lumps in it. Do not use if powder is stuck to the sides of the container.
• Do not use if the solution is leaking or has particles.
• Do not use if solution changes color.
• Each container is for one use only. Use right after opening. Throw away any part of the opened container after the dose is given.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Byetta^®:

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Bydureon and Bydureon BCise:

• If it is 3 or more days to the time of your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you think about it and go back to your normal day.
• If it is 1 or 2 days to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal day.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Byetta^®:

• Store unopened pens in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Store opened pens at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• After opening, throw away any part not used after 30 days.
• Take off the needle after each shot. Do not store this device with the needle on it.
• Keep the cap on the pen when not in use.

Bydureon and Bydureon BCise:

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• You may store unopened vials at room temperature. If you store at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 28 days.

Bydureon BCise:

• This drug must be stored flat.

All products:

• Do not use if it has been frozen.
• Store in the original container to protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-11-26

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