Get Informed: Byetta
Active Ingredient(s)
Exenatide
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2. It is not a substitute for insulin, but it does stimulate the body to produce more insulin for itself.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-06 5:29 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-07 8:28 AM
Other Names
- Byetta
- Exenatide
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 28 Apr 2005
- Est US Patients*
- 975,900
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Byetta or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Byetta
There have been no alerts regarding Byetta during the past year.
Byetta Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Byetta interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Byetta used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 5,600 patients that use Byetta (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 96% | 
|
| Weight Loss | 16% |
|
| Other | 2% |
|
How well does Byetta work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 5,600 users taking Byetta (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 87%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Byetta outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Byetta.
Common Side Effects of Byetta
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 5,600 users taking Byetta (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
49% of patients experience side-effects on Byetta
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Byetta
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Weight Loss
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
Drowsiness
-
Diarrhea
-
Glucose Problems
-
Abdominal Pain
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bruising, Constipation, Dizziness, Hair Loss, Loss of Appetite
Global Patient Feedback for Byetta (Exenatide) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have lost almost 100Lbs. But the cost of it is over $200. 00, & I really can't afford to stay on it. But I have just learned about a program where Lilly will pay for it, or give it to you at a reduced cost. I haven't had any side effects, I take over 30 medicines per day. So I must watch my spending.This program will be saving us over $2,000.00 per month, and I will have the Byetta again & start losing weight again. I'm "62" years old male living on a very fixed income.
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59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-23 23:03:08
Question/Comment:
hi, I have been on BYETTA for about 6 months, I have lost almost 15#, when i started my doctor also had me on metformin and glipizide, but my sugar was going down to 40 when tested(i'm still new at this) so i quit taking the met and glip and am just on the 10mg am & pm and i am doing fine. I hav not had any side affects and am feeling more ambisious than ever and i don't really exercize. I do swim in pool and do some type of swimmng or arobics. I would recommend BYETTA t anyone.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-23 20:54:37
Question/Comment:
I was on Byetta for Type 2 for about 6 months. A new Dr put me on it along with Actos, having been on Metformin along with the usual diagnosis/good luck/don;t bother me of my previous physician.
I started on 5mg 2x per day then moved to 10 2x after about 60 days. My blood sugar got down below 100, I felt better, and I lost 20 pounds in forst 60 days. Lost another 10 in next four months. Dr had neen giving me samples until I got my dosage regualted, but my insurance carrier would not cover it because my A1C was under 7.
I did experieince, in time, a growing level of gastric discomfort. Pain in the stomach, severe gas cramping, tightness and pain in the gut. All symotoms ended in a week of quitting it.
Unfortuantely, niw on Januvia and Actos, and hace regained all weight lost and added more.
51 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-17 23:13:52
Answer/Reply:
I have been on byetta for about 1 year. I have had no side effects whatsoever from this medication. It has been the best medication I have used for 2 years. I was taking metformin with this and I did keep dirreaha and upset stomach until I stopped the metformin. I have learned to keep my blood sugar levels about 140-150 which I feel good at that level, however, the dr.'s do want it lower. If I go lower, then I really do feel bad.
55 Female
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 15:28:11
Question/Comment:
I have also been on Byetta for over two years. I am sure it helps some with my blood sugar. But I have been able to keep my HiAC around 5.4 so I feel good about that. In October I fell and Dr. is now putting that to neutophay (signals not getting to brain) in any event I tore my rotator cuff and had to have surgery. So I became inactive. I also have started to REGAIN the weight I had lost. I figured it was due to the inactive life I was and am now forced to lead. But reading your comments maybe it is afterall the medications! Sure we are #$^&@* if we due and #$^&@* if we don't! Many of my current meds are with the side effects of "weight gainers. I don't know if this will help or be of intrest to anyone but your not alone.
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-31 14:25:55
Question/Comment:
I started Byetta, the stuff was so high in price, my insurance, not pay. Dr. knew I told him, he was nice enough, gave me the first 3 pens, I had to buy the needles, ,weren,t high,priced. I got so sick every injection, twice a day, I had no appetite, b/s did fine, I did not lose my hair. But could get no help paying over $112.00 for every pen, so I had to stop, and after I heard it had not been approved by food and drug, that was it, ,and I sure did not want pancrrititis, misspelled,I,m sure, my son had it . I would not take it and lost weight, but I had to quit, I take metformin,and I am overweight, doctor complains every time I go. I have neuropathy in my feet and legs andd knees are arithictic, so I cannot exercise as I would need to, any sugesstions,but I would get off Byetta, if I were you. 61yr. female
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-12 20:59:18
Answer/Reply:
Local YMCA/YMCA usually have a water exercise program for seniors with arthritis. Also, try upper body exercise with resistance bands, work at your own speed.
70 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-12 12:19:23
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
48
Patient Comments about
Byetta