Byetta is a brand-name version in the United States of the generic drug exenatide. It is a prescription-level medication administered as an injection to help in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It functions, the Mayo Clinic reports, in more than one way: It helps your blood process glucose more efficiently, it aids pancreatic cells to produce insulin and it lowers the amount of sugar your liver puts into your blood. There appear to be no common serious side effects of Byetta.
Discomfort
One of the more common side effects of Byetta that is temporary and not serious is discomfort in your stomach. This can include feeling queasy or nauseous, or a sensation that you are going to throw up. It also can mean having a sour or acidic stomach, which can in turn produce another side effect of Byetta, the sensation of having heartburn or indigestion. This feeling typically can be handled with over-the-counter antacid medications such as ranitidine (Pepcid) or cimetidine (Tagamet), or with the use of oral chewable tablets such as calcium carbonate (Tums) or the combination of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids). In any event, this stomach discomfort, Drugs.com reports, should only last a few days after taking the Byetta injection. If it lasts longer, explain it to your physician for some advice and help.
Appetite Decreases
Because Byetta makes your body function more efficiently in its use of glucose, it does not need the normal intake of food you may be used to. This may result in a decrease in your desire for food and decrease your appetite. This also can cause another side effect of Byetta, which is losing weight. Losing weight, however, can be separate from your appetite decreases because not as much sugar remains in your system, causing weight gain or maintenance. Again, these are temporary, common side effects that will vanish shortly.
Diarrhea and Dizziness
Byetta also may change your digestion in such a way that you get cramps in your abdominal region and the resulting diarrhea. This, too, should be temporary. Vertigo or dizziness also may occur, but will not last long after the injection of Byetta. This is a condition in which your balance is thrown off because everything around you may appear to be spinning.
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