Byetta FAQ

Byetta starts to work as soon as you inject a dose. Its effect builds up over the next couple of hours. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Byetta.

Byetta is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Byetta is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. Byetta can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Byetta. These lists do not include all possible side effects. For more information on the possible side effects of Byetta, refer to this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Type 1 diabetes has to be treated with insulin injections. Although Byetta is given by injection, it’s not the same as insulin. Byetta works primarily by making your pancreas produce more insulin. If you have type 1 diabetes, the cells in your pancreas can’t make insulin. Therefore, the main way that Byetta lowers blood sugar won’t work for you. Byetta is not approved for type 1 diabetes, and the current medical opinion is that it should not be used for type 1 diabetes. Byetta has other effects, such as making your stomach empty more slowly and helping with weight management. This means it could have potential as an add-on treatment for some people with type 1 diabetes. Specifically, people whose blood sugar is not well-managed by insulin and people who may need help with weight management could benefit from this drug. One study on treating type 1 diabetes found that adding Byetta to insulin improved blood sugar management more than insulin alone. However, Byetta is currently only approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

You won’t need to use insulin with Byetta unless your doctor prescribes it. This depends on your individual situation. If your blood sugar can be managed well enough by using Byetta, your doctor won’t need to prescribe other medication. If Byetta doesn’t manage your blood sugar well enough, your doctor may need to prescribe extra treatment to get your blood sugar down. They may prescribe one of the many type 2 diabetes drugs that are now available, or they may prescribe insulin. Insulin can be used for both type 2 and type 1 diabetes. If you’re already using insulin and your doctor suggests adding Byetta to your treatment, you’ll need to follow their instructions. Byetta can be used along with a long-acting insulin, such as insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo). However, Byetta is not recommended for use with mealtime insulins. Note that if you use drugs that increase your insulin levels in combination with Byetta, you’re more likely to develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). For more information, see the “Byetta interactions” section above.

Yes. You could switch from Byetta to Bydureon BCise if your doctor thinks it would work better for your specific health situation. Also, Bydureon BCise could be more convenient because you only have to inject it once per week instead of twice per day. Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in switching from Byetta to Bydureon BCise. It’s important to note that when you first switch to Bydureon BCise, your blood sugar levels may rise temporarily (for the first 2 to 4 weeks).

No. Byetta has a similar effect to mealtime insulin (fast-acting insulin) because it makes your body produce more insulin in response to a meal. However, it also has other effects that help manage your blood sugar between meals, as well as immediately after meals.

If you forget to have your injection before a meal, do not have it after the meal. Just leave out the missed dose and have your next injection as usual when it’s time. Never give yourself a double dose to make up for a missed dose. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. A medication timer may be useful, too.

Byetta is not FDA-approved to treat polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). However, exenatide was shown in one study to help with weight management, improve insulin sensitivity (the way cells respond to insulin), and improve menstrual regularity in people with PMOS.