Bydureon (Exenatide)

Product Information:

Bydureon comes under the category of extended release injectable medications, which help regulate blood sugar. It works by enabling your pancreas to make insulin more readily.

Bydureon is used in combination with diet and exercise to function as an effective blood sugar controller for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The medications are intended for those above 10 years or in adults.

Bydureon is not used in treating type 1 diabetes.

The Bydureon Pen was withdrawn from the market in March 2021. The Bydureon BCise Pen is currently available. The Bydureon BCise product line is an auto-injector and a pre-filled pen that requires no mixing. The product has a hidden needle and the active pharmaceutical ingredient is the same as that of the Bydureon pen.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Follow the prescription guidelines carefully. Take Bydureon as your doctor has directed. Follow the directions on the prescription label.

Bydureon is administered via injection under the skin.

You can ask your physician or your pharmacist if you don’t know how to give an injection. You must not let a young child give this medication by himself.

Bydureon is typically administered through injection once every 7 days. It is possible to administer the injection regardless of food intake and the time of the day chosen. You should follow the advice provided by the healthcare provider. When changing the date of the injection from one week to another, you should select the date at least 3 days after the injection.

Bydureon should be injected in a part of your body as directed by your health provider. The same injection site should not be used two times in a row.

Factors that could affect blood sugar include stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol, and missing meal intervals.

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, may cause you to feel hungry, dizzy, irritable, or trembly. For a quick fix for a hypoglycemic episode, you can choose to consume any of these: hard candies, crackers, raisins, fruits, or soda. For hypoglycemic episodes, your physician may advise you to use a gluc

If you often feel the side effects of having elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia), like thirst or urination, let your healthcare provider know. Always consult your healthcare provider before adjusting your medication dose.

Refrain from sharing your injection pen and/or syringe, even if you use a new needle. This is because you may transfer some infection when you share your equipment.

Bydureon may affect your platelet count for up to 10 weeks after you stop taking this medication. Frequent laboratory testing may be required while using this medication and for a few weeks afterward.

Your treatment can also include diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and specialized medical attention.

Storage:

Store this drug in its original packaging. Store in the refrigerator and use until the date of expiration. Avoid light exposure.

Do not freeze the medication and discard it if it has been frozen.
You can also keep the Bydureon BCise medication at a room temperature condition for a maximum of 4 weeks.

Dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose of Bydureon for Diabetes Type 2:
Extended-release: Starting dose – 2 mg subcutaneously once a week, every 7 days
–Taken any time of day, with or without food; regarding missed doses and changed time of administration, 
-No pretreatment with the immediate-release product is needed, but for patients who switch, stop the immediate-release medication at the start of the extended-release regimen because it is expected that a transient change in blood glucose levels can take about 2 to 4 weeks to revert back

-Can switch extended-release formulations at next regularly scheduled dose.

Warnings:

You should not use Bydureon if: You have a family history of thyroid cancer. You have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) syndrome. This cancer can occur in the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. You have previously experienced a low platelet count when taking exenatide.

Notify your physician immediately if you develop symptoms of thyroid cancer, which include swelling or lump on the neck, difficulty swallowing food, voice change or hoarseness, and difficulty breathing.

Do not use Bydureon injection and solution if you have had low platelet levels in the blood due to the use of exenatide. Do not use Bydureon and contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pains in the upper abdominal part that radiates to your back, nausea, vomiting, and rapid heart rate.
There could be pancreatitis behind your condition. Do NOT use this medication for type 1 diabetic problems, or if you have a condition of diabetic ketoacidosis: call your physician for a prescription of insulin. Bydureon BCise is an extended-release formulation of exenatide that is injected every seven days. The preparation may be taken at any time of day, and it may or may not be accompanied by food, as instructed by your physician.