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Byetta Update
posted 04/27/2006
After eleven months the results are
in.
Eleven months later, Byetta is meeting expectations for better glucose control
and weight loss in type 2 diabetics. While you may have read that Byetta can
cause low blood sugar episodes (hypoglycemia) the patient population is
reporting this side effect in small numbers. To date, Byetta is giving patients
better blood sugar control (indicated by CGMS Values) and is still less likely
to cause low blood sugar when compared to insulin. Approximately 20% of patients
report Byetta cause them to feel nausea. For some of them, it subsides, but for
others, the side effect of nausea will persist, making Byetta a poor choice for
them. The majority of patients are losing weight and when the scale does not
indicate it, measurements indicate they are losing inches. Many of the patients
report having more energy and strength than they have had in years. Another
benefit of this weight loss is that it reduces risks of other diabetic
complications (high blood pressure, blindness, neuropathy, kidney failure, etc.)
contributing to overall well-being.
Other versions of Byetta are currently being tested, including one to be used only once a week, a nice contrast to the current twice daily injection.
Source: Amylin pharmaceuticals
From the EMMC clinic in California comes these expectations from their patients after 1-2 and 3 months usage.
