• Brand Names: U.S.: Byetta®
• Pharmacologic Category: Antidiabetic Agent, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonist

• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
• Exenatide works like incretin, a hormone needed for the body's use of food.

How to take

• This drug is most often taken with at least 2 other drugs. Use as you have been told, even if you are feeling better.
• Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with the insulin.
• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Take within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meals.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Prepare pen before first use.
• Shoot 1 test dose into the air.
• Dial the dose into the window before each use.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box and take the box back to your doctor when it is full.
• Attach new needle before each dose.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.

Missed Dose

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.

Storage

• Do not store pen with the needle on it.
• Store unopened and opened pens in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Protect from light.
• Throw away any part not used after 1 month.

Warnings

• Please read the medication guide.

Avoid

• If you have an allergy to exenatide or any other part of this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem, very bad kidney disease, or type 1 diabetes.

Precautions

• Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Do not run out of this drug.
• If you are 80 or older, use this drug with care. You could be more sensitive to low blood sugar.
• Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with your doctor.
• If you have pancreatitis, talk with your doctor.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have your blood work checked often. Talk with your doctor.
• Have an eye exam and visit the foot doctor every year.
• Check all drugs you are taking with your doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Limit your drinking of wine, beer, or mixed drinks.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Side Effects

• Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals, good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Weight loss.
• Hard stools (constipation).
• Loose stools.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• Kidney function that gets worse may rarely happen.

Contact a healthcare provider

• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Very loose stools.
• A big weight gain.
• Swelling in your legs or belly.
• Not able to pass urine.
• Any rash.
• Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.

General Statements

• If you have a very bad allergy, wear an allergy ID at all times.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Read the package insert for more details.

• Copyright © 1978-2010 Lexi-Comp Inc. All rights reserved.