EXENATIDE EXTENDED-RELEASE

This drug belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists or incretin mimetics that helps improve your blood sugar levels. This drug works by increasing the amount of insulin and decreasing the amount of glucagon (which stops your body from releasing insulin) that your body releases. It also slows the emptying of your stomach and may decrease food intake and promote the growth of pancreas cells that make insulin.

Uses

It can be used alone to help improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It doesn’t have to be used with other diabetes drugs to help improve blood sugar levels.

Warnings

This drug has caused thyroid cancer in rats. It isn’t known whether this drug causes thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer in humans. If you or a member of your family has ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma, or if you have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, you can’t use this drug. Before starting this drug, talk to your doctor about the potential risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma. You should also know the symptoms of thyroid tumors, such as:

a lump or swelling in your neck
difficulty swallowing
shortness of breath
hoarseness

Side Effects

The most common side effects from using Exenatide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, indigestion, and constipation. You may get nausea when you first start using Exenatide, but it may decrease with time. Itching or a small bump may happen at the injection.

Precautions

Precautions

Some medical conditions may interact with exenatide extended-release. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions such as:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of stomach or bowel problems (eg, trouble digesting food, slowed emptying of the stomach), gallbladder problems (eg, gallstones), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), high blood triglyceride levels, alcohol abuse, kidney problems or kidney transplant, or if you receive dialysis
if you have never taken another medicine for type 2 diabetes
if you are also using insulin or if you use another exenatide medicine ( Byetta)

Interactions

Your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully because this drug can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. To know more about these interactions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose & Brands

Call emergency hotline right away if you think you have taken too much of this drug. Too much of this drug may increase the risk of severe nausea and vomiting and may rapidly decrease your blood glucose levels. You may need to go to the Emergency Room.

Available brands:

Exmet ER 500
Minidiab OD