What is exenatide (Bydureon)?
Exenatide is an injectable diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your pancreas produce insulin more efficiently. Bydureon is an extended-release form of exenatide.
Exenatide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with exenatide if needed.
This medication guide provides information about the Bydureon brand of exenatide. Byetta is another brand of exenatide that is not covered in this medication guide.
Exenatide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Bydureon?
This medication guide provides information about the Bydureon brand of exenatide. Byetta is another brand of exenatide that is not covered in this medication guide.
You should not use Bydureon if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (cancer that can affect the thyroid, parathryoid, and adrenal glands).
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.
In animal studies, Bydureon caused thyroid tumors. However, very high doses are used in animal studies. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using doses recommended for human use. Ask your doctor about your personal risk.
You should not use Bydureon together with insulin. Do not use Bydureon together with Byetta.
Bydureon is an extended-release form of exenatide that can be given with or without food and given at any time of the day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Bydureon?
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.
You should not use Bydureon if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (cancer that can affect the thyroid, parathryoid, and adrenal glands).
To make sure you can safely use this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease or a history of kidney transplant;
problems with digestion;
a history of pancreatitis or gall stones;
a history of alcoholism; or
a history of high triglycerides (a type of fat in blood).
In animal studies, Bydureon caused thyroid tumors. However, very high doses are used in animal studies. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using doses recommended for human use. Ask your doctor about your personal risk.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether exenatide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Bydureon.
It is not known whether exenatide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Bydureon.