Warnings


What may interact with Byetta?


-acetaminophen
-birth control pills
-digoxin
-insulin and other medicines for diabetes
-lisinopril
-lovastatin
-warfarin

Many medications may cause changes in blood sugar, these include:

-alcohol containing beverages
-antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS
-aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
-certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
-chromium
-diuretics
-female hormones, such as estrogens or progestins, birth control pills
-fenofibrate
-gemfibrozil
-isoniazid
-lanreotide
-male hormones or anabolic steroids
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-medicines for weight loss
-medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
-medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-niacin
-nicotine
-NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
-octreotide
-pasireotide
-pentamidine
-phenytoin
-probenecid
-quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin
-some herbal dietary supplements
-steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone
-sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim
-thyroid hormones

Some medications can hide the warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely if you are taking one of these medications. These include:

-beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
-clonidine
-guanethidine
-reserpine

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Byetta?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-history of pancreatitis
-kidney disease or if you are on dialysis
-low blood counts, like platelets
-stomach or intestine problems
-an unusual or allergic reaction to exenatide, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Byetta?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

A test called the HbA1C (A1C) will be monitored. This is a simple blood test. It measures your blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months. You will receive this test every 3 to 6 months.

Learn how to check your blood sugar. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.

Always carry a quick-source of sugar with you in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Examples include hard sugar candy or glucose tablets. Make sure others know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

Tell your doctor or health care professional if you have high blood sugar. You might need to change the dose of your medicine. If you are sick or exercising more than usual, you might need to change the dose of your medicine.

Do not skip meals. Ask your doctor or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. Many nonprescription cough and cold products contain sugar or alcohol. These can affect blood sugar.

Pens and cartridges should never be shared. Even if the needle is changed, sharing may result in passing of viruses like hepatitis or HIV.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store unopened pen in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Do not freeze or use if the medicine has been frozen. Protect from light and excessive heat. After you first use the pen, it should be kept at a temperature not to exceed 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Throw away your used pen after 30 days or after the expiration date, whichever comes first.

Do not store your pen with the needle attached. If the needle is left on, medicine may leak from the pen or air bubbles may form in the cartridge.