Type of medicine: antihyperglycemic; incretin mimetic
Generic and brand names: exenatide, injection; Byetta
This medicine is given by injection (shots) along with metformin tablets or other diabetes medicines taken by mouth to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used along with a diet and exercise program to help maintain the proper amount of sugar in the blood. It is not given to take the place of insulin.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Follow exactly any instructions that are supplied in the medicine package. If you do not understand how to use the prefilled pen, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to demonstrate.
The shots are given just under the skin in your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully.
This medicine is injected up to 1 hour before your 2 main meals each day (at least 6 hours apart). This medicine should not be given after a meal. If you also take medicines such as birth control pills or antibiotics, take them at least 1 hour before you use this medicine. Do not take them with the meal or snack when you use this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider for specific instructions. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Your healthcare provider may adjust the dose of your other diabetes medicines while you are taking this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take.
Do not mix this medicine with insulin.
Do not use this medicine if it looks cloudy or colored.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the next prescribed time. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, dizziness, confusion, flushing, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremors.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have unexplained, severe stomach pain with or without vomiting, or nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that will not go away, or if you cannot take liquids by mouth. These may be signs of serious side effects.
Follow the diet and exercise program prescribed by your healthcare provider. Eat regular meals and do not skip meals, even when you travel or are sick. Your dosage of this medicine is based on your food intake. Also, your blood sugar tested must be tested regularly. Follow your healthcare provider's advice exactly.
Alcohol may affect your response to medicine and food. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you miss or delay meals, drink too much alcohol, use too much of this medicine or too much insulin, or exercise more than usual. Symptoms of low blood sugar include confusion, shaking, weakness, strong hunger, cold sweats, headache, nausea, vision problems, and feeling faint. Treat the condition quickly by eating or drinking something with sugar in it such as candy, juice, or nondiet soda. Taking glucose tablets or gels (available in drug stores) is another quick way to treat low blood sugar.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. Carry an ID card or a Medic Alert bracelet. If you become unconscious, the ID tells emergency healthcare providers that you are a diabetic and need special care.
This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report this to your healthcare provider if these symptoms happen often): Symptoms of hypoglycemia (confusion, shaking, weakness, strong hunger, cold sweats, headache, nausea, vision problems, and feeling faint); nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away; severe stomach or back pain; trouble urinating or decreased urination.
Other: Mild nausea, heartburn, loss of appetite, minor weight loss, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, mild headache, feeling jittery, redness or pain at the spot where an injection has been given.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you also take medicines such as birth control pills or antibiotics, take them at least 1 hour before you use this medicine.
Many nonprescription products contain sugar, alcohol, or other ingredients that may interfere with this medicine or increase your blood sugar. Check product labels for warnings for diabetics or ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Refrigerate the unused pen but do not freeze it. After first use, you may store the pen at room temperature away from heat and bright light. Do not store the pen with the needle attached. Discard the pen after 30 days, even if some medicine is left in the pen.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
