Is Byetta a safe drug for Type 2 diabetes?
I have recently been prescribed Byetta for my type 2 diabetes. Is this a safe drug? Are there any problems associated with this drug I should be aware of?
Expert Answer
Exanatide (brand name: Byetta) is a safe and effective medication for people with type 2 diabetes, writes Caring.com diabetes expert Karen Earle.
To learn more about what she has to say about the drug, read this answer.
One cautionary note about Byetta. There have been six recent reports of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis--a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas--in Byetta users. Two of these users died from complications related to the disease; all required hospitalization. Pancreatitis is rare and no definitive link has been established between Byetta and the disease. You should know that people with diabetes have higher rates of pancreatitis due to their diabetes than the regular population. Still, people using Byetta who experience potential signs of pancreatitis, including severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, should notify their health care providers. And, of course, people considering this medication should discuss any concerns they have with their doctor