Byetta

What is it? Is it a medication? Just curious, haven't heard of it before. However, I'm not a nurse... YET!.

What is it? Is it a medication? Just curious, haven't heard of it before. However, I'm not a nurse... YET!.

Your time is coming! :)

Byetta is an injectable protein that's used for type 2 diabetics. I guess they're trying it before moving from PO meds to insulin. It isn't approved up here yet, and it's new to the US. I was just wondering if anyone had used it or seen any results.

http://www.byetta.com/consumer/300_byetta_patient_information.jsp?reqNavId=3

We started one patient on it before discharge.

But one of our staff reports that her husband is totally under control with Byetta and no problems.

Byetta's come in a prefilled 'pen', and dosing was not a problem.

Recently my friend was asked to go on Byetta by her doc and diabetic educator. I posted about it and never received a response. She has decided not to take it right now , because she is afraid that it is still too new and she isn't sure if it would affect her heart. She has had bypass surgery in her early 50's. Her endicrinologist and diabetic educator told her to take it, because her sugar was up to 300, and they thought she could use it before having to go to insulin. Her cardiologist told her not to use it, because it is so new, and he is unsure if it could adversely affect her heart. I guess people are cautious about new meds. So she is taking something else which seems to be helping. Unfortunately, I forgot what it was, but I will post it as soon as I find out. I was happy to see this post, because she had asked me to post it on allnurses.com and see what other people (diabetics and professionals) were thinking in terms of it. I will refer all posts to her. Thank you.

Regarding the prefilled pen, that was another issue with my friend. She was afraid to inject herself with the pen. New things and changes can be difficult. Fear can be a big factor. It is interesting how different people have different fears. My friend is afraid to use the pen and afraid of the side effects, but she isn't afriad of her sugar being at 300-still consumes sugar!

My friend is afraid to use the pen and afraid of the side effects, but she isn't afriad of her sugar being at 300-still consumes sugar!

It always amazes me when patients think like this. Maybe she doesn't understand all of the consequences that can come with that 300?

Hopefully the pre-filled pen will eliminate any potential errors.

I was just hoping that this was some "miracle" drug. DW and alot of her family are diabetic, and this was the most recent drug I've heard about. The islet cell transplant sounds good too, except for the immunosuppressants.

Oh she knows the consequences of not dealing with her diabetus-she already has heart problems. The eating is like an addiction. She was told to see a psychologist who specializes in working with diabetics-would not go. I am convinced that everyone has their own issues. And the /dr. told her that the Byetta would curb the food craving too. So it could have helped in that way too. I will let you know what she did decide to take-she says it is helping-that the sugar is down.

Had a pt. the past couple days who has been newly started on Byetta- and it is very effective for him. He is still taking his glucophage in addition to it as he transitions from the po to the pen, and his glucose level has been consistent 80s ac/hs. I am interested to see if how they will change when the glucophage is stopped.

Had a pt. the past couple days who has been newly started on Byetta- and it is very effective for him. He is still taking his glucophage in addition to it as he transitions from the po to the pen, and his glucose level has been consistent 80s ac/hs. I am interested to see if how they will change when the glucophage is stopped.

That's pretty good. I'd be interested to know how his numbers are once the glucophage is gone too.

My friend was on Amaryl, and it only helped moderately. Her Dr. is insisting on her taking the Byetta with Glocophage, not ever dropping the Glucophage. He has had great results with Byetta as far as weight loss and complication prevention. She has decided to try it.