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?

Bydureon and Bydureon BCise:

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

Byetta^®:

• This drug is not approved for use in children. However, the doctor may decide the benefits of taking this drug outweigh the risks. If your child has been given this drug, ask the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

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

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

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

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Have your child follow the diet and workout plan your child’s doctor told you about.
• If your child is old enough to drive, do not let your child drive if their blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of having a crash.
• Check your child’s blood sugar as you have been told by the doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Birth control taken by mouth may not work as well to prevent pregnancy if taken at the same time as this drug. If your child is taking birth control by mouth, give it at least 1 hour before giving this drug. If your child must take birth control with food, give it with a meal or snack at a time when your child does not also take this drug.
• This drug may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If your child takes other drugs by mouth, you may need to give them at some other time than this drug. Talk with the 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 your child’s blood sugar.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• Do not share with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing your child’s tray or pen may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know your child has.
• Kidney problems have happened with this drug. Some people have needed dialysis or a kidney transplant. Talk with the doctor.
• If your child cannot drink liquids by mouth or has upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away; your child needs to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your child’s doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to new or worse 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.
• Very bad skin problems have happened where the shot was given. Sometimes surgery was needed for these skin problems. Talk with the doctor.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s 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 child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has 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, dark scab, lump, or 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 the doctor right away if your child has any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include giving your child 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 the doctor right away if your child has any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has 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 child’s doctor or get medical help if your child has any side effects that bother your child 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 child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• 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 your child the shot, your child’s doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
• Give on the same day each week.
• Give this drug with or without food.
• Move site where you give the shot each time.
• This drug needs to be mixed before use. Follow how to mix as you were told by the doctor.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• If stored in a refrigerator, let this drug come to room temperature before mixing. Do not heat this drug.
• Use right away after mixing.
• 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.
• If your child is 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.
• Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with insulin.
• Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.
• Each container is for one use only. Use right after opening. Throw away any part of the opened container after the dose is given.
• 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.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

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

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

All products:

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Do not use if it has been frozen.
• Store in the original container to protect from light.
• You may store unopened vials at room temperature. If you store at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 28 days.
• 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.

Bydureon BCise:

• This drug must be stored flat.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, 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

2022-07-13

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