First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 to treat type 2 diabetes, evenatide is sold under the trade names of Byetta (2x a day) and Bydureon (once weekly), taken by injection. The medication mimics incretin, a gastrointestinal hormone that stimulates the release of insulin following meals. This helps to lower blood sugar levels and prevents “spiking.” Biologically, it is similar to the body’s own GLP-1, which regulates glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. In the treatment of diabetes, evenatide is meant for people who are not able to control their blood sugar with oral medications alone. Byetta raises insulin levels quickly and lasts for 6-8 hours. Bydureon gives 24 hour coverage, but Byetta is better for leveling blood sugar spikes that occur after eating. To control high glucose levels which can lead to diabetes, Exenatide works in several ways. It helps insulin release directly in response to food intake. It suppresses glucagon, which is released by the pancreas and causes the liver to produce sugar, often resulting in hyperglycemia. It slows the release of glucose into the blood, and creates a feeling of “fullness,” reducing appetite and helping with weight loss. Finally, it reduces fat content in the liver. All these processes contribute to lower blood sugar levels.
Exenatide Risks – What Are The Side Effects?
The most common Byetta (exenatide) side effects are gastrointestinal – indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Other symptoms may include headaches, allergic reactions, dizziness or jittery feelings. In rare cases, pancreas inflammation can occur, which prompted the FDA to issue a warning. Patients who take exenatide and experience severe abdominal pain for an extended time should seek immediate medical attention. In its treatment of diabetes, exenatide lowers blood sugar, so there may be a risk of hypoglycemia when it is first added to other diabetes medication. This may indicate the need to adjust the dosage. As the effects in women who are pregnant or nursing have not been studied, it is recommended that they instead take insulin at those times.
Learn About Exenatide Alternatives
As with any prescription medicine used to treat diabetes, exenatide should be used, if at all, as part of a treatment plan that includes diet and exercise. Removing unhealthy sugars, starches and fats from your diet can go a long way in lowering blood sugar and keeping levels well-balanced, as can daily exercise. There are also herbal supplements that may help stimulate insulin production and bring blood sugar under control. Some of the more well-known are gymnema sylvestre, ginseng, cinnamon, fenugreek, mulberry leaves and bitter melon. The latter two have been proven in clinical studies to as effective as or more effective than Glyburide (one of the sulfonylurease drugs) in increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar.
