Bydureon (extended release exenatide) Dose, Side Effects, Cost, Weight Loss

Bydureon Injection is an extended-release (once weekly injection) formulation of Byetta (exenatide). It belongs to a group of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists because they resemble and mimic the action of human GLP-1 hormone (incretin hormone). They are also called incretin mimetics. It is an injectable drug that reduces blood glucose by increasing insulin production by the pancreas, slows the absorption of glucose from the gut, reduces the activity of glucagon (a hormone that increases release of glucose from the liver), and reduces appetite.Exenatide acetate powder,Exenatide powder

What does Bydureon treat

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in conjunction with diet and exercise. It is not used for treating type-1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis and it should not be used in place of insulin when patients require insulin. It should also not be used as the first option in patients with type 2 diabetes whose blood glucose are not well controlled with diet and exercise.

How effective is Bydureon

Bydureon 2 mg injected once weekly significantly reduced HbA1c better than Byetta 10 mcg twice daily after 24 weeks of treatment in patients whose blood glucose was not well controlled with diet and exercise, or with metformin, sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, or a combination of medications.
Bydureon reduced HbA1c by an average of 1.6% while Byetta reduced HbA1c by 0.9%. More patients in the Bydureon group (58%) achieved an HbA1c less than 7%. Only 30% of Byetta treated patients achieved an HbA1c less than 7%.
Bydureon reduced fasting blood glucose by an average of 25 mg/dl compared to a reduction of 5 mg/dl in the Byetta group.
Weight loss was an average of 2.3 kg in the Bydureon group and 1.4 kg in the Byetta group.
What are interesting facts about Bydureon

First FDA approved long acting incretin mimetic
It is a long acting formulation of Byetta and is the only diabetes treatment that is given once-weekly.
It was more effective than Byetta in a 24-week clinical study.
Patients can develop antibodies which may reduce the effect of Bydureon.
Bydureon may reduce appetite and causes weight loss.
What are the side effects of Bydureon

Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, acid reflux, reduced appetite, stomach discomfort, and injection site reactions. The risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is increased when combined with a sulfonylurea.

Serious: Pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, severely low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), kidney failure.