The injectable medication Byetta is available by prescription only and is used to treat Type 2 diabetes that is poorly controlled with oral treatments. It is not a substitute for insulin. Byetta is used to help the pancreas function more effectively in producing insulin. It is administered one hour prior to meal consumption. The side effects of taking Byetta are usually minor and dose-dependent and resolve with continued usage of the drug. Consumers should be aware, however, of several dangerous side effects associated with Byetta.
Hypoglycemia
Low levels of glucose, or sugar, in the blood are potentially life-threatening if not remedied quickly. Because Byetta is used in combination with one or more oral medicines that also work to lower glucose levels, the drop in blood sugar can be extreme in some cases. According to Drugs.com, very low blood glucose may result in confusion, double vision, a rapid heartbeat or seizures. Hypoglycemia can be reversed with carbohydrate intake, usually by eating a piece of candy or drinking fruit juice. Dose adjustments may be necessary to avoid repeated episodes of this side effect.
Acute Pancreatitis
People taking Byetta should be on guard for severe abdominal pain that is persistent in nature. Sometimes the pain is associated with vomiting. These are considered characteristic signs of acute pancreatitis. The patient should be evaluated by a physician immediately and Byetta should be discontinued. If the pancreatitis is assessed to have a different etiology, the physician may decide to continue the patient on this medicine. If the pancreatitis is found to be caused by this medicine, Byetta use will be discontinued completely.
Precautions
Prescribing Byetta for patients with certain underlying diseases should be done with significant precaution. According to the package insert from Eli Lilly and Co., people with kidney dysfunction, gastrointestinal disease or hypersensitivity to exenatide, the active ingredient in Byetta, are not recommended candidates for this medication.
References
- "Proceedings: Baylor University Medical Center;" Exenatide (Byetta) as a Novel Treatment Option for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Aaron Bond, PharmD; July 2006
- Drugs: Hypoglycemia
- Eli Lilly and Co.: Byetta Package Insert
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