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  Dr Stephen Leow (General Medical Practitioner)
  Health Professional

  GP with an interest in Pain Medicine. Currently Clinical Director of GP+ Elizabeth in Suburban SA. Chair of RACGP Special Interest Group of Pain Management. ... View profile

  I am not on Byetta but am familiar with the medication. It is a GLP agonist, which means that it mimics a hormone called “Glucagon Like Peptide”. GLP is normally secreted by the gut, when you eat but it is broken down quite quickly. Byetta (Exenatide) is resistant to breakdown and it lasts a lot longer, when injected. Interestingly, it was first discovered in the saliva of a Gila Monster (a large lizard), as scientists were interested in how the lizard could go for long periods of time without eating. It has many actions in the body including stimulating your pancreas to produce insulin, inhibiting the production of Glucagon (a hormone which increases your blood sugar), making you feel full and stopping the tummy from emptying. Feeling sick is a common side effect. People generally lose weight when on the medication but the amount of weight loss varies. It is an injected medication (like insulin) and there are some long acting forms of the medication on the way. Reply to this post  |  Report
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  Peta Tauchmann (Diabetes Educator, Health Coach, Public Education Professional, Registered Nurse)
  Health Professional

  I have a special interest in Type 1 Diabetes, optimising insulin therapy and Insulin pump therapy. I focus on the private sector including private clinics ... View profile

  May 2012
  Hello Julie,
       Nausea is a common side effect of Byetta but is usually settles after a while.  We recommend you try to stay on it for at least one month if you can. 
      Studies have shown us that eventually the nausea does disappear, but sometimes that can take a few months.  If the nausea is bearable, stick with the treatment.  Byetta is a modern medication that has wonderful potential for people with type 2 diabetes.  Dr Leow has outlined concisely how it works above.  By reducing yoru weight your body should start to manage it's own glucose control far better, and overall your health will improve.  Keep up the other healthy lifestyle aspects of you diabetes like exercise and healthy eating. 
  Good Luck! Reply to this post  |  Report
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