From the Guidelines
Byetta (exenatide) is not an insulin pen, but rather a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, as indicated in the 2023 standards of care in diabetes 1.
Key Characteristics of Byetta
- Byetta is administered via a pen, but it contains exenatide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, not insulin.
- The medication is typically administered once weekly, with a dose of 2 mg, as listed in the table of noninsulin glucose-lowering agents 1.
- Byetta works by stimulating insulin release when blood sugar is high, reducing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and promoting satiety.
Important Considerations
- Byetta is not a substitute for insulin in insulin-dependent patients and should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for type 2 diabetes.
- Common side effects of Byetta include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often improve over time.
- The medication should be injected subcutaneously in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm, and patients should be advised to store the pen in the refrigerator before first use and keep it at room temperature for up to 30 days.
Clinical Context
- The use of Byetta and other GLP-1 receptor agonists should be individualized based on patient needs and response to treatment, as outlined in the 2023 standards of care in diabetes 1.
- Healthcare providers should consider the potential benefits and risks of Byetta, including its effects on blood sugar control, weight, and cardiovascular outcomes, when making treatment decisions.
From the FDA Drug Label
Exenatide injection, USP is supplied for subcutaneous administration as a sterile, preserved isotonic solution in a glass cartridge that has been assembled in a pen-injector (pen). Each milliliter (mL) contains 250 micrograms (mcg) synthetic exenatide, USP, 2. 2 mg metacresol as an antimicrobial preservative, mannitol as a tonicity-adjusting agent, and glacial acetic acid and sodium acetate trihydrate in water for injection as a buffering solution at pH 4. 5. Two prefilled pens are available to deliver unit doses of 5 mcg or 10 mcg. Each prefilled pen will deliver 60 doses to provide for 30 days of twice daily administration (BID).
The insulin pen that starts with the letter B is Byetta (exenatide), which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, not an insulin. It is supplied as a sterile, preserved isotonic solution in a glass cartridge assembled in a pen-injector (pen) 2.
- Key points:
- Byetta (exenatide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
- It is supplied in a pen-injector for subcutaneous administration.
- Two prefilled pens are available to deliver unit doses of 5 mcg or 10 mcg.
- Each prefilled pen will deliver 60 doses for 30 days of twice daily administration (BID).
From the Research
Insulin Pen Starting with the Letter B
- Byetta (exenatide) is a medication that starts with the letter B, but it is not an insulin pen in the classical sense. Instead, it is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes 3.
- Byetta (exenatide) is administered via injection, but it is not a traditional insulin pen. It is used to improve glycemic control, promote weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes 4, 5.
Characteristics of Byetta (Exenatide)
- Byetta (exenatide) is a twice-daily injection that can be used in combination with basal insulin, such as insulin glargine, to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes 5.
- Byetta (exenatide) has been shown to reduce HbA1c levels, promote weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes 3, 4, 5.
- Common adverse events associated with Byetta (exenatide) include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and constipation 4, 5.
Comparison to Other Treatments
- Byetta (exenatide) has been compared to other treatments, such as biphasic insulin aspart 70/30, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that Byetta (exenatide) can be an effective alternative to traditional insulin therapy, especially in patients who have not achieved adequate glycemic control with other treatments 4.
- Byetta (exenatide) has also been compared to placebo in patients receiving insulin glargine. Studies have shown that adding Byetta (exenatide) to insulin glargine can improve glycemic control without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or weight gain 5.