Byetta

If you have type 2 diabetes, a healthcare provider may prescribe Byetta to help lower blood sugar levels. Byetta comes in the form of an injection and is approved only for use in combination with certain oral diabetes medications. The medication works by increasing insulin production in response to meals and decreasing the amount of sugar produced by the liver. The Byetta injection is given twice a day and is administered just under the skin of the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. As with any medication, there are potential side effects of Byetta, such as nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.

 

What Is Byetta?

Byetta® (exenatide) is a prescription medication licensed to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). Although Byetta is taken by injection, it is not a form of insulin and is not intended to treat type 1 diabetes. Byetta is approved only for use in combination with certain oral diabetes drugs. Interestingly, Byetta was first discovered in the saliva of gila monster lizards.
 
(Click What is Byetta Used For? for more information on what Byetta is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Byetta?

Byetta is made by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 

How Does Byetta Work?

Byetta is an incretin mimetic.
 This means that Byetta mimics the actions of incretin hormones in the body. As an incretin mimetic, Byetta increases insulin production in response to meals and decreases the amount of glucose (sugar) that the liver produces. Byetta also slows the emptying of food from the stomach, which reduces the amount of food that people eat.
 
Because incretin hormones are more active in response to higher blood sugar levels (and are less active in response to low blood sugar), the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is low with Byetta. However, combining Byetta with other diabetes medications to lower blood sugar can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (see Byetta and Blood Sugar).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;