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Editor's Note: While this article is intended to inform patients about this new medicine, we feel that updates on pharmaceutical products also benefit working nurses.
BYETTA - New Class of Diabetic Drugs
by F. Kuhn, RN
Byetta is a drug derived from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard. I do know one person who is taking Byetta and has better control of her blood sugar levels. The medication has even decreased her appetite. That is a benefit for her since she is overweight.
Byetta (exenatide) is the first among a new class of diabetes drugs for Type 2 Diabetes called incretin mimetics -- synthetic medications that mimic action of a hormone that spurs insulin production after a person eats and blood sugar levels rise above a certain threshold.
Traditional diabetes drugs that promote insulin production do so even if glucose levels aren't high enough, which could cause hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).
Byetta, derived from the lizard's saliva, mimics that action of the human hormone GLP-1, which prompts the body to secrete insulin and is also thought to play a role in deciding when a person feels full. This is great because it almost acts like an appetite suppressant. Common side effects of the drug were nausea and decreased appetite.
Byetta is very unique and supposedly works in a different way than pills or insulin. By helping your body produce the right amount of insulin at the right time, Byetta helps take the guesswork out of type 2 diabetes.
Byetta is used in combination with Metformin (Glucophage) and Sulfonylurea like AmarylŽ (glimepiride), GlucotrolŽ (glipizide), MicronaseŽ (glyburide), and others.
Byetta is an injectable medication and comes in prefilled insulin pens where you just add a small needle and inject yourself.
The price tag is not small, but with the New Medicare Prescription Plan D, you can check out your prescription plan to see if this medication is covered.
If you are on oral diabetic medications and you are not controlled, this may be an option for you. Ask your doctor. It doesn't hurt to ask.
Please remember that primary physicians don't know everything. That is not saying they are not great doctors. No one person can know everything. Just like us nurses, some specialize in heart disease or diabetes or wound care, etc. That also applies to doctors.
If you have heart problems, you should probably get a referral to a cardiologist if your doctor thinks it is appropriate for you. The same thing with Diabetes. You may want to get a referral to an endocrinologist. Check with your primary doctor and see if a referral to an endocrinologist is right for you.
About the Author
F. Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes
http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com
http://www.heartnewscenter.com
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