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Exenatide Injection

Pronounced

"ex-EN-a-tide"

Common brand names:

Byetta

Uses

Exenatide is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar. It is used by people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Exenatide is a diabetes drug that is similar to a natural hormone in your body (incretin). It works by increasing insulin release (especially after a meal) and decreasing the amount of sugar your liver makes. It also slows down food digestion in your stomach, decreases the amount of sugar absorbed from food, and may help decrease your appetite.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use provided by your pharmacist before you start using exenatide and each time you get a refill. Ask your health care professional how to prepare and use this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Inject this medication under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day. Injection should be done within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meals (or before the two main meals of the day, at least 6 hours apart). Exenatide should not be used after a meal since it will not work as well. The injection is given in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the skin you are going to inject into (the injection site) with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. If you are also using insulin, give exenatide and insulin as separate injections. Do not mix them. You may inject these medications in the same area of the body, but the injection sites should not be next to each other. To lessen bruising, do not rub the injection site after a shot. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

Since exenatide slows down digestion of food/drugs in your stomach, certain medications (such as birth control pills, antibiotics taken by mouth) may not work as well if you take them at the same time. Take birth control pills or antibiotics at least 1 hour before using exenatide. If you must take these medications with food, take them with a meal or snack when you do not also take exenatide. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about when to take your medications.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.

Do not share your pen device with another person, even if the needle is changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (your blood sugar is too high or too low).

RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted combined product from TraceGains and First DataBank, Inc.

Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2024.