Bydureon Dosage

As a prescription medicine, Bydureon is used in treating symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes. It can either be prescribed alone or used in combination with other medications.

Bydureon is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist. 

Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists are a class of drugs used to treat diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) and obesity. They help stimulate the release of glucose-dependent insulin from the pancreas, slow stomach emptying, and reduce food intake.

Description

Bydureon (containing exenatide extended-release) injectable suspension comes in the form of sterile powder. It is administered by injection in a diluted form. 

The drug takes the form of white-to-off-white powder with a dosage strength of 2mg exenatide per pen or per vial. Exenatide is infused as an extended-release formulation that contains lactide-co-glycolide polymer and sucrose. It is meant to be combined with a diluent before being administered to patients through injection.

Indications

According to its manufacturer (AstraZeneca), Bydureon is indicated as a supplement to a good diet and physical exercise to boost blood sugar control in patients. It can be used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in adult and pediatric patients aged 10 and above. Its usage limitations include the following:

• Not suitable for patients with inadequate blood sugar control on exercise and diet

• Not suitable for patients with type 1 diabetes

• Incompatible with other products that contain exenatide as their active ingredients

• Insufficient research for use in patients with a history of diseases such as pancreatitis

Recommended Dosage

Bydureon should be prescribed in a 2mg dose once a week. It can be administered at any time, whether you have eaten or not. Your healthcare provider will assist you with any issues concerning the dosage.

You can switch from an extended-release or immediate-release exenatide product to Bydureon. However, expect to experience elevations in blood sugar levels that may last between 2 and 4 weeks.

Your healthcare provider can change the weekly administration of Bydureon if necessary. However, they need to have administered the last dose three or more days before making the change.

If you skip a dose, it’s advisable to have it administered as soon as you notice it. For this to work, the next regularly-scheduled dose should be due not less than 3 days later. You can thereafter resume your usual dosing schedule once a week.

In the event you miss a dose and the next regularly-scheduled dose or take it two days later, you are advised not to have the missed dose administered. Instead, you should resume the medication with your next regularly-scheduled dose.