Bydureon, benefits, weight loss, side effects and coupon

Bydureon, Byetta & Bydureon Bcise

Jimmy has seen his diabetes doctor this week. The doctor prescribed him Bydureon. On the other hand he has no idea how to use Bydureon. He goes to the pharmacy to find out that he needed the Bydureon coupon to save money.

Unfortunately, he did not have that. He picks up the medication and goes home. When he opens the box he has no idea how to use the Bydureon. He also is concerned about Bydureon side effects. Jimmy does quick research about Bydureon and finds this article. We will answer Jimmy's questions in today's article.

What is Bydureon?

BYDUREON is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor mimicker. The main molecule in Bydureon is exenatide. It is similar to Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza. We use Bydureon as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

How does Bydureon work?

Just like it assisted drugs Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza Bydureon is a GLP-1 hormone agonist. It is an intestinal hormone mimicker. Patients without diabetes also secrete these are months. These intestinal hormones are key to secreting after eating. Without these hormones, your pancreas will not know the presence of food in the intestinal system.

In patients with diabetes, these hormones do not function properly. As a result of medications such as Bydureon, Trulicity, Ozempic, Victoza mimic the intestinal hormones to make your body start making insulin again. The good thing about these medications is that they can help you lose weight with appetite reduction. As a result your A1c will go down.  They will reduce the need for insulin use. They also do not cause low blood sugar.

What is the difference between Bydureon and Bydureon bcise?

Bydureon BCise is a pen that is a lot easier to use than the older Bydureon pen. In most cases, Bydureon BCise is more expensive. The Bydureon coupon is available at our clinic for both pen types. Some plans do not cover Bydureon BCise and will only cover Bydureon older style pen.

What is the dose of Bydureon?

2 mg once weekly at any time of day, with or without meals.

What is the difference between Bydureon and Byetta?

Bydureon is the extended-release form of exenatide molecule. On the other hand, the immediate-release formula is called Byetta. Byetta is a medication you start with an initial dose of 5 mcg twice daily within 60 minutes prior to morning and evening meals or before the two main meals of the day, ≥6 hours apart. After 1 month, you can increase Byetta dose to 10 mcg twice daily based on response and diabetes doctor’s discretion.

What happens if I miss a dose of Bydureon or Byetta?

For Byetta, if you miss a dose resume the treatment regimen as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. For Bydureon you may administer a missed dose as soon as noticed if the next regularly scheduled dose is due in ≥3 days.

You can resume a normal schedule afterward. If a dose is missed and the next regularly scheduled dose is due 1 or 2 days later, do not administer the missed dose and instead resume treatment with the next regularly scheduled dose. To establish a new day of the week administration schedule, wait ≥3 days after the last dose given, then administer the next dose on the new desired day of the week.

How can I convert from Byetta to Bydureon?

You should start the weekly administration of Bydureon or Bydureon bcise the day after discontinuing Byetta. Make sure you ask for a Bydureon coupon from our doctors before you fill the new prescription.

Due to the time it takes for the weekly medication to achieve a steady-state you may experience increased blood glucose levels for 2 to 4 weeks after conversion. Your diabetes doctor can definitely help you manage your blood sugars in the meantime.

Can I use Bydureon or Byetta if I have kidney problems?

If you have GFR less than 30 which is chronic kidney disease stage IV we do not recommend using Bydureon, Bydureon BCise. If your GFR is less than 45 we do not recommend using Byetta either.

Can I use Bydureon, Bydureon BCise or Byetta with liver problem

Since these medications are not going through liver clearance there should be no problem with liver problems. The manufacturer also does not indicate any dose adjustments with liver dysfunction.

Have to take Bydureon, Bydureon BCise or Byetta?

Even if you had a coupon, you filled the drug easily, it may not be easy to use Bydureon. After reviewing how to use it we will talk about Bydureon side effects. Let's review it. It is administered under your skin (subcutaneous).

You can administer the medication in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.remember to rotate injection sites. If you are using concomitantly with insulin, administer as separate injections and do not mix.you may inject in the same body region as insulin, but not adjacent to one another. Do not inject into your muscle or vein.

Byetta:

Use only if clear, colorless, and free of particulate matter. Administer within 60 minutes prior to morning and evening meal (or prior to the 2 main meals of the day, approximately ≥6 hours apart). Set up each new pen before the first use by priming it. See pen user manual for further details. Dial the dose into the dose window before each administration. Regarding Bydureon and Bydureon bcise you may administer without regard to meals or time of day.

Bydureon single-dose tray

Administer immediately after reconstitution. The mixture should be white to off-white and cloudy. Take the pen out and bring it to room temperature. Meaning, wait at least 15 minutes after removal from the refrigerator prior to administration. Hold pen by the end with the orange label and tap firmly against palm of the hand to mix.

You may need to tap up to 80 times or more to thoroughly mix. Suspension should appear opaque and white to off-white and evenly mixed.Administer immediately after mixing. To ensure full dose is delivered, after insertion of needle press injection button until it clicks and hold for 10 seconds.

Bydureon BCise autoinjector

Allow autoinjector to come to room temperature (wait at least 15 minutes after removal from refrigerator) prior to administration. Shake autoinjector vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Suspension should appear opaque and white to off-white and evenly mixed. Administer immediately after mixing. To ensure full dose is delivered, press autoinjector against skin until it clicks and hold for 15 seconds.

What are the side effects of Bydureon/Bydureon BCise and Byetta?

Bydureon side effects are many. We will talk about the most common Bydureon side effect here. You should still discuss it with your online diabetes doctor or your local doctor.

• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common side effects.

• Appetite reduction: This is not necessarily an unwanted side effect. It can help patients lose weight.

• Injection site reaction: This is very common up to 20% of patients may get a nodule under the skin. This is not harmful however cosmetically unpleasing. The site can be itchy as well after the injection. Site can also be red sometimes as well.

• Central nervous system: Headache, dizziness can happen up to 5% of patients.

• Endocrine & metabolic: Hypoglycemia (4% to 5%), severe hypoglycemia (≤2%)

• Some other reported side effects are abdominal distention, abdominal pain, abscess at the injection site, acute pancreatitis, acute kidney failure, hair loss, anaphylaxis, angioedema, cellulitis at the injection site, drowsiness, change in taste, exacerbation of kidney failure, flatulence, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, hypersensitivity reaction, increased serum creatinine, kidney transplant dysfunction, macular eruption, necrotizing pancreatitis, papular rash, pruritus, renal function abnormality, renal insufficiency, tissue necrosis at injection site, urticaria

What are the contraindications for Bydureon, Bydureon BCise or Byetta?

Bydureon side effects are not necessarily a contraindication to its use. But, some things we will discuss now precludes the use of Bydureon. For example, If you have an allergy to any of these medications, use of any of the similar medications is contraindicated.

Also for Bydureon and Bydureon bcise you cannot use them if you have a history of or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, history of drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Byduroen contraindication also includes diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic coma/precoma or type 1 diabetes mellitus, end-stage kidney disease, and kidney function below GFR of 30.

My Bydureon is not working anymore. What is the reason?

Your Bydureon coupon just expired. Just kidding. Actually up to 20% of patients may develop antibodies against this medication. These are anti-exenatide antibodies and can neutralize the effect of the medication.

Does Bydureon cause gallbladder disease?

Possibly. There are cases of gallbladder stones and gallbladder inflammation such as cholecystitis .

Does Bydureon, Bydureon BCise and Byetta cause pancreatitis?

Possibly. Whether pancreatitis is one of Bydureon side effects or not is debatable. There are cases of acute pancreatitis including severe cases sometimes resulting in death. You and your diabetes doctor should monitor for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis.  Symptoms of pancreatitis are persistent severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back.

Sometimes vomiting may also happen with abdominal pain. If you have another risk of pancreatitis otherwise such as high triglycerides above 1000 milligrams per deciliter, alcohol abuse or gallbladder stones rethink twice before starting Bydureon or Bydureon BCise.

Does Low platelet count happen with Bydureon

That is also possible. There are cases of serious bleeding (may be fatal) from drug-induced immune-mediated low platelet count. Discontinue use and do not reinitiate therapy if the drug-induced low platelet count is suspected. Low platelet count may persist for ~10 weeks after discontinuation of therapy.

Does Bydureon cause thyroid tumors?

Thyroid C-cell tumors have developed in animal studies with Bydureon. On the other hand, we do not really know if the same is true for humans. Human studies do not indicate increased risk. We counseled patients on the potential risk of medullary thyroid cancer.

Medullary thyroid cancer is a very rare form of thyroid cancer. Having a thyroid nodule or history of papillary thyroid carcinoma is not the same. On the other hand, if you have a thyroid nodule your endocrinologist should evaluate you for the possibility of thyroid cancer.

What if I have a gastrointestinal disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

I would not recommend using Bydureon with patients who have gastroparesis or severe GI disease due to frequent GI adverse effects associated with use.

What are Drug-drug interactions with Bydureon or Bydureon bcise?

Drug interactions are possible. Your diabetes doctor should consider these before prescribing.

Can I take birth control pills while on taking Bydureon/Byetta?

One of the Bydureon side effects is slowing gastric emptying. Likewise,  Byetta may decrease the serum concentration of birth control pills containing estrogen and /or progesterone. If you are on birth control pills administer oral contraceptives at least one hour prior to Byetta.

Can I take Bydureon/Bydureon BCise with insulin or other diabetic medications?

Of course. Your diabetes doctor should consider insulin dose reductions when used in combination with glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists. Remember to inquire about Bydureon coupon when you get a prescription.

Can pregnant patients take Bydureon?

The short answer is no. Bydureon can have serious side effects during pregnancy. We know that poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy can be associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Diabetes during pregnancy can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, delivery complications, major birth defects, stillbirth, and large babies. To prevent adverse outcomes, prior to conception and throughout pregnancy, maternal blood glucose and HbA1c should be kept as close to target goals as possible but without causing significant low blood sugars. There are agents such as metformin, sulfonylurea, and insulin to use during pregnancy. However, Bydureon may not be used.

I have diabetes and I am breast-Feeding. Can I take Bydureon?

It is not known if exenatide is present in breast milk. According to the manufacturer, the decision to breastfeed during therapy should consider the risk of infant exposure, the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, and the benefits of treatment to the mother.

How expensive is Bydureon? Is Bydureon coupon available?

Although it is not the most effective agent in its class, Bydureon is still expensive. Bydureon coupon definitely can help reduce her out-of-pocket expense. Patients were enrolled in SugarMDs enjoyed significant cost savings up to $600 per prescription. If you are not one of our patients yet please consider us as your diabetes team.

We may be covered by your insurance plan. We can help you save hundreds of dollars in medication costs. We also provide you with 24/7 care with diabetes doctors and diabetes coaches. We work with you until your diabetes is under control and you are happy with your treatment and outcome. Ahmet Ergin, MD, FACE, CDCES, ECNU Endocrinologist and diabetes specialist Serving entire Florida via virtual diabetes care Headquartered in Jupiter, FL