Byetta (Exenatide) Injectable $197.50 – Canada Pharmacy

What is the Byetta Injection Pen?

The Byetta Injection Pen is an antidiabetic medication that contains 250mcg/ml of exenatide, a potent glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Exenatide is a synthetic peptide that belongs to a category of medication known as incretin mimetics. Its mechanism of action closely mimics the activity of incretin hormones like GLP-1. The incretin hormone is vital for promoting the release of insulin in a glucose-dependent manner, as well as other antihyperglycemic actions.

What is it used for?

Use this medication to help regulate blood sugar levels.

Why is the Byetta used?

Once administered, exenatide stimulates the pancreatic beta cells to release more glucose-dependent insulin; suppress elevated glucagon secretion; and delay gastric emptying. As a result, blood glucose levels are maintained within the normal range.

This medicine is indicated to be used as part of a comprehensive diabetes management program along with diet modification and adequate exercise for better glycemic regulation in type 2 diabetic patients. The Byetta Injection Pen is not a substitute for insulin and should not be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Dosage

Each Byetta Injection Pen is prefilled with sterile, clear, colorless, and particle-free solution. The pen comes in two sizes, 1.2ml (5mcg per dose) and 2.4ml (10mcg per dose). Both sizes deliver 60 doses for 30 days of use. The initial dosage of Byetta is 5mcg, which is administered twice daily via subcutaneous injection through the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. This injection can be given at any time within an hour before the morning or evening meals (or before two main meals, spaced six hours apart). The dosage may be increased to 10mcg twice daily based on patient’s response to the treatment.

Side effects

• Feeling jittery
• Dizziness and weakness
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea and constipation
  
  

What is Byetta?

Byetta contains exenatide, which is an antidiabetic medication that is also known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Byetta is supplied in prefilled pens containing 250mcg/ml of exenatide. It packaged in a 2.4ml prefilled pen that is capable of administering 60 doses at 10mcg per dose.

What is it used for?

It is used for adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to medical nutritional therapy and exercise to improve blood sugar control. Byetta can complement Lantus (insulin glargine), which is a long-acting insulin, and oral antidiabetic medications; however, it should not be paired with short- or rapid-acting insulin.

Why use this insulin?

Evidence has shown that Byetta is capable of reducing the average blood glucose (HbA1C) level by 1.13% compared to insulin lispro’s 1.10%. HbA1C is the metric used by healthcare professionals to monitor blood sugar control over the past three months. Furthermore, Byetta also helped reduce body weight by 5.5lbs compared to 4.6lbs with insulin lispro. Patients also only had fewer incidences of hypoglycemia compared to insulin lispro over 30 weeks of use.

Clinical studies using Byetta with diet, exercise, and insulin glargine, with or without any oral antidiabetic medication (metformin and/or thiazolidinedione), found 1.7% lower HbA1C levels compared to 1.0% in patients who did not use Byetta. There was also an average weight loss of 4lbs compared to only 2.2lbs in patients that did not use Byetta. Use of Byetta is further supported in studies examining the use of Byetta 10mcg with oral antidiabetic medications. Patients were similarly found to have reduced HbA1C levels by 0.7 to 0.9% more and weight loss of about 3.3 to 5.7lbs more as well compared to placebo.

• IMPORTANT NOTES:
  The information contained on this website is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you