Byetta Side Effects

Although most people tolerate Byetta well, there are some potential side effects of the medication, such as dizziness, diarrhea, and nausea. In many cases, the Byetta side effects are minor and may be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. However, there are some more serious side effects of Byetta that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider, including severe diarrhea, symptoms of low or high blood sugar, or signs of an allergic reaction.

 

Byetta Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Byetta® (exenatide). However, not everyone who takes Byetta will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(The Byetta side effects discussed below are not a complete list of the side effects reported with Byetta. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
 

Common Byetta Side Effects

Byetta has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated.
 In these studies, the side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, the most common Byetta side effects include:
 
  • Nausea -- occurring in up to 44 percent of people

 

 

  • Vomiting -- in up to 13 percent

 

 

  • Feeling jittery -- in up to 9 percent

 

  • Dizziness -- in up to 9 percent

 

  • Headache -- in up to 9 percent

 

  • Upset stomach or heartburn -- in up to 6 percent.
     
Other side effects that occur in 1 to 5 percent of people taking Byetta include:
 
  • Weakness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Increased sweating.
     
(You can also read about another possible Byetta side effect by going to Byetta for Weight Loss.)
 
(Byetta Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;