WHAT IS BYDUREON® (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension)?

BYDUREON is an injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and should be used along with diet and exercise. BYDUREON is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes.

BYDUREON is a long-acting form of the medication in BYETTA® (exenatide) injection so both drugs should not be used together. BYDUREON is not a substitute for insulin and has not been studied in combination with insulin. BYDUREON is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition caused by very high blood sugar). BYDUREON is not recommended for use in children. It is not known if BYDUREON is safe and effective in people with a history of pancreatitis or severe kidney problems.

Bydureon (exenatide) is an extended-release version of the type-two antidiabetic medication more commonly known as Byetta. The medication comes in pre-filled, single-use pens each of which contains 2 mg exenatide per per pen, the recommended dose.

How it Works

Bydureon encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin, which is in turn used as-needed by the body to manage blood sugar. It also slows the blood sugar in the the stomach/digestive tract, further reducing blood glucose.

It does this through a 10-day period

While Bydureon is considered an effective and convenient medication, it is typically not the first-line choice for type-two diabetes. The medication is most commonly prescribed when Metformin fails to administer good results on its own. It should not be administered in children below age 18, as there are no studies demonstrating its helpfulness/absence of harm and is therefor not considered safe for young patients.

Safe Administration

Bydureon is typically administered by injection-pen every seven days. The day of administration may change without regard to time or meals, provided at least three days have passed since the last injection. There are a number of risks for certain individuals taking Bydureon, for whom it is very important any individuals listen closely to the doctor before taking this medication, or, in some cases, avoiding it altogether, particularly if there is any history of:

• Personal or family history of MTC
• Pancreatitis or symptoms of such
• Hypoglycemia while taking Bydureon
• Impaired renal function
• Impaired gastrointestinal disease
• Gallbladder disease

Again it is important for any patient with a history of the above to speak to a doctor prior to starting Bydureon and to seek medical attention if experiencing any symptoms. Doctors will likewise prefer to periodically check patients on Bydureon for developing side effects throughout treatment.

Bydureon can be co-administered with certain types of insulin, and in fact at the same time, however they should not be mixed together or injected into the same location. Common injection sites include:

• The stomach
• The thighs
• The upper arms

All patients taking Bydureon are also expected to make beneficial lifestyle changes regarding eating and exercise. A doctor can also help provide a patient with a comprehensive list of such. These changes often sound very unpleasant, and may be at first, but most patients quickly find they feel better, are less dependent on medications, and, in most cases, lifestyle modifications are ultimately the only way to eliminate dependency on medications and restore a diabetes-free lifestyle.

While Bydureon certainly offers a convenient medication for many patients, it is not without risk of severe side effects in some individuals. All patients are strongly advised to speak with a doctor, and read the information included with Bydureon, before use. Patients disinclined or unable to see a doctor before starting Bydureon are advised to select a less potentially serious antidiabetic medication.