|
|
Learn about Exenatide (Byetta)
On 2005 April 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved exenatide injection
(Byetta) as adjunctive therapy to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are unable
to succeed an adequate control with metformin and/or a sulfonylurea.
The FDA will also consider approval of exenatide as monotherapy for patients with type 2 diabetes.
This drug, the first one in the new class of incretin mimetics. It will be available to pharmacies by June 1
in both a 5- and a 10-µg per dose prefilled pen-injector device. Exenatide is intended for self-administration
as a subcutaneous injection administrated before the morning and evening meals.
Exenatide (Byetta) produces a slowing in gastric emptying and improves satiety. The net benefit of these
effects is to provide a marked improvement in postprandial hyperglycemia, as well as in fasting glucose
and hemoglobin A1C, while not intrinsically increasing the risk of hypoglycemia and at the same time
producing modest weight loss.
The major disadvantage to this new drug is that it is injected twice daily. But this form of injected therapy
is more convenient than insulin because the volumes administered are tiny and, secondly, there is no need
to fumble with bottles and syringes as exenatide will be provided in pen form for administration.
The major advantage of exenatide over sulfonylurea and insulin is a lack of hypoglycemia as an adverse effect.
Versus metformin and glitazones, there is no need for clinical or laboratory assessments of vital organ
(kidney, liver, or heart) function before initiating therapy or in monitoring therapy. Versus all antidiabetic
agents, it is the first glucose-lowering drug to demonstrate substantial and sustained weight loss control.
The only contraindication for use of exenatide is known hypersensitivity to the product or its components.
NOTE: The Information on this site is provided for information only,
and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.
<< back to diabetes
| |
Diabetes does not kill anybody, but "complications" do.
Would you like to know what you may do to turn your body “complications” free?
Just Click Here
SPONSORED LINKS
Your advertisement here
|
|
