Brand Names: Byetta Prefilled Pen

Generic Name: exenatide (Pronunciation: ex EN a tide)

• What is exenatide (Byetta)?
• What are the possible side effects of exenatide (Byetta)?
• What is the most important information I should know about exenatide (Byetta)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using exenatide (Byetta)?
• How should I use exenatide (Byetta)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Byetta)?
• What happens if I overdose (Byetta)?
• What should I avoid while using exenatide (Byetta)?
• What other drugs will affect exenatide (Byetta)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is exenatide (Byetta)?

Exenatide is an injectable diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your pancreas produce insulin more efficiently.

Exenatide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with exenatide if needed.

Exenatide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of exenatide (Byetta)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using exenatide and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, diarrhea;
• dull pain in your middle or lower back; or
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, vomiting, fast heart rate.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation;
• weight loss; or
• dizziness, headache, or feeling jittery.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Byetta (exenatide injection) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about exenatide (Byetta)?

Do not use exenatide to treat type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). You should not use exenatide if you have severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), of if you have a severe stomach disorder that causes slow digestion.

Tell your doctor about all other oral diabetes medications you take.

You should not use exenatide together with a fast-acting or short-acting insulin, such as insulin aspart (NovoLOG), insulin glulisine (Apidra), insulin lispro (HumaLOG), or regular insulin (HumuLIN R, NovoLIN R, and others).

You must use this medication within 60 minutes (1 hour) BEFORE eating a meal. Do not use exenatide after eating a meal.

Stop using exenatide and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with nausea, vomiting, and a fast heart rate. These could be symptoms of pancreatitis.