Byetta 10mcg Pen

Byetta 10mcg Pen is a medicine used to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes like kidney damage and blindness. Proper control of diabetes also helps to lower your chances of a heart attack or a stroke.

Byetta 10mcg Pen belongs to the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) group of diabetes medicines. It works by helping your body produce insulin and by reducing appetite. It also helps to reduce weight in some people. This medicine should be stored in a refrigerator until you need it but do not freeze it.

It is normally injected under the skin twice daily. The dose will depend on your condition and what other diabetes medicines you are taking. It is to be used 60 mins before the morning and evening meal (or two main meals of the day). Your doctor or nurse will show you how and where to inject the medicine. Follow the instructions carefully.

Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor. If you do, your blood sugar levels may increase and put you at risk of serious complications. Remember that it is only part of a treatment program that should also include a healthy diet and regular exercise as advised by your doctor. Your lifestyle plays a big part in controlling diabetes.

The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also lead to low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) especially if you are also taking other medicines like insulin or sulphonylureas for treatment of diabetes. To prevent this, it is important to have regular meals and always carry a fast-acting source of glucose such as sugary candy or glucose candy with you.

Before using it, let your doctor know if you have any pancreas or stomach problems or severe dehydration (loss of body water) or diabetic ketoacidosis (too much acid in your blood). This medicine may not be suitable. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before using this medicine. If you experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar, do not drive, use machinery or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can do them safely.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Your doctor or nurse will use this device to give medicine. You or your care giver may be taught on how to use this device at home.

Byetta 10mcg Pen is an anti-diabetic medication. It works by increasing the release of insulin from pancreas, decreases hormones that raise blood sugar levels, slows down digestion, and reduces appetite.

Q: What if you forget to take Byetta Pen?
A: If you miss a dose of Byetta 10mcg Pen, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.n

Store unused pens in the refrigerator. However, after the first use, you can store it at room temperature for 30 days.

Byetta 10mcg Pen may cause nausea. To avoid it, eat smaller meals, limit fatty food intake and stop eating when you feel full.

Notify your doctor immediately if you have severe and/or persistent upper abdominal pain.

Q. Is Byetta 10mcg Pen is the same as insulin?

No, Byetta 10mcg Pen is not the same as insulin. Byetta 10mcg Pen is a synthetic version of exendin-4 (a hormone). It attaches itself to beta-cells in the pancreas and releases insulin. This increased insulin helps to control blood sugar levels in patients with type II diabetes.

Q. Is Byetta 10mcg Pen safe?

Byetta 10mcg Pen is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Q. Does Byetta 10mcg Pen cause hypoglycemia?

Byetta 10mcg Pen itself does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, it may cause low blood sugar when taken with other anti diabetic medicines or insulin.

Q. Does Byetta 10mcg Pen cause pancreatitis?

Yes, Byetta 10mcg Pen may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in a few people. However, this is very rare and is one of the most serious side effects of Byetta 10mcg Pen. This can happen any time during the course of treatment and can lead to hospitalization or even death. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or inability to eat as these side effects may be signs and symptoms of pancreatitis.

Q. How is Byetta 10mcg Pen administered?

Byetta 10mcg Pen is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) twice daily, usually in the thigh, abdomen (stomach) or upper arm. The dose will depend on your condition and what other diabetes medicines you are taking. The injection should be administered within an hour prior to any meal of the day, once daily. Byetta 10mcg Pen is preferably given before the same meal every day to maintain a constant level of medicine in the body. If a dose is missed, it should be injected one hour before the next scheduled meal. Your doctor or nurse will show you how and where to inject the medicine. Follow the instructions carefully.

Diarrhea

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) in combination with insulin or sulphonylurea

Nausea

Vomiting

Alcohol:UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Byetta 10mcg Pen.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Byetta 10mcg Pen may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Byetta 10mcg Pen is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving:CAUTION

Your ability to drive may be affected if your blood sugar is too low or too high. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney:CAUTION

Byetta 10mcg Pen should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Byetta 10mcg Pen may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Byetta 10mcg Pen is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Byetta 10mcg Pen may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Powers AC, D’Alessio D. Endocrine Pancreas and Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypoglycemia. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1263.
Nolte MS. Pancreatic hormones and antidiabetic drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 744-45.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 528.