Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly released Byetta, a prescription drug, in June 2005. The use of Byetta for diabetes is limited to type 2 and should not be used for type 1 patients who require insulin therapy. Byetta is normally prescribed to type 2 patients who are unable to control their blood sugar with metformin. The active ingredient in Byetta is the synthetic protein exenatide, which encourages digestion and the production of insulin by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1. The patient administers doses of Byetta, at home, twice daily, injecting into the skin of the arm, belly or thigh. Byetta should never be injected after a meal. Initial doses are 5 mcg with the possibility of increasing the dose to 10 mcg after one month of treatment.

Byetta for Diabetes – Weight Loss

One of the unexpected side effects of Byetta is significant weight loss, an attractive idea …