Exenatide Injection
Exenatide extended-release injection (Bydureon BCISE) may increase the risk that you will develop tumors of the thyroid gland, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC; a type of thyroid cancer). Laboratory animals who were given exenatide extended-release injection developed tumors, but it is not known if this medication increases the risk of tumors in humans. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2; condition that causes tumors in more than one gland in the body). If so, your doctor will probably tell you not to use exenatide extended-release injection. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: a lump or swelling in the neck; hoarseness; difficulty swallowing; or shortness of breath.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body’s response to exenatide.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with exenatide injection and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of using exenatide injection.
🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?
Exenatide is used along with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) in adults (Byetta) and in adults and children 10 years of age and older (Bydureon BCISE). Exenatide is in a class of medications called incretin mimetics. It works by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. Exenatide also slows the emptying of the stomach and causes a decrease in appetite. Exenatide is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Exenatide is not used instead of insulin to treat people with diabetes who need insulin.
Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Using medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.
The average length of the portion of a doctor appointment in which the patient actually sees the doctor is up from previous years, rising by about 12 seconds per year, according to Reuters. However, 60% of physicians report dissatisfaction with the amount of time they spend with their patients, athenaInsight Many doctors now spend more time on paperwork than seeing patients, and a primary care physician who spends 5 minutes of face-to-face time with a patient will spend another 19.3 minutes, on average, working on that patient’s electronic health records (EHRs).
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Exenatide immediate-release (Byetta ® ) comes as a solution (liquid) in a prefilled dosing pen to inject subcutaneously (just under the skin). Exenatide extended-release (long-acting) (Bydureon ® BCISE) comes as a suspension (liquid) in a prefilled autoinjector to inject subcutaneously. Exenatide immediate-release solution is usually injected twice a day within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meals (or the two main meals of the day, approximately 6 hours apart). Do not inject it after meals. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of exenatide immediate-release injection and may switch you to a pen with a higher dose of medication if your blood sugar control has not improved after you have used exenatide for 1 month. Exenatide extended-release suspension is injected once weekly at any time of day without regard to meals. Use exenatide extended-release on the same day each week at any time of day. You may change the day of the week that you use exenatide extended-release suspension if it has been 3 or more days since you used your last dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use exenatide injection products exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are changing from exenatide immediate-release solution to exenatide extended-release suspension, your glucose (sugar) levels may temporarily increase for 2 to 4 weeks after this change.
Exenatide controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to use exenatide even if you feel well. Do not stop using exenatide without talking to your doctor.
Be sure to read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions for injecting exenatide injection products. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use the pen or autoinjector. Follow these directions carefully.
If you are using exenatide immediate-release (Byetta ® ) prefilled dosing pens, you will need to buy needles separately. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what type of needles you will need to inject your medication. Never reuse needles and never share needles or pens. Always remove the needle right after you inject your dose. Dispose of needles in a puncture-resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture resistant container.
Always look at your exenatide immediate-release solution before you inject it. It should be as clear, colorless, and free of particles. Do not use exenatide immediated-release injection if it is colored, cloudy, contains solid particles, or if the expiration date has passed.
Remove the exenatide extended-release (Bydureon BCISE ® ) prefilled autoinjector from the refrigerator and allow it warm to room temperature for 15 minutes before you inject the medication. Mix the prefilled autoinjector by shaking vigorously for at least 15 seconds before use.
Always look at your exenatide extended-release suspension before you inject it. After shaking for 15 seconds, it should white to off-white and cloudy. Do not use if it is discolored, contains solid particles, or if the expiration date has passed.
Do not mix insulin with exenatide products to combine into a single injection.
Exenatide injection products can be administered in the thigh (upper leg), abdomen (stomach), or upper arm. Never inject exenatide into a vein or muscle. Change (rotate) the injection site within the chosen area with each dose of the exenatide extended-release suspension.
You can inject extended release exenatide and insulin in the same general area of the body, but the injections should not be given right next to each other.
