What is the most important information I should know about exenatide?
Do not use exenatide to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent)
diabetes, or if you are in a
state of
diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with
insulin).
You must use this medication within 60 minutes (1 hour) before eating a meal. If you
miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember, but only if you have not yet eaten a
meal. If you have already eaten a meal, wait until your next scheduled dose (1 hour before a
meal) to use the medicine. Do not use exenatide after eating a meal.
It is important to use exenatide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, you will need to check your blood
sugar at home. Your blood will also need to be tested by your doctor on a regular basis. Do not
miss any scheduled appointments.
Use the exenatide pen for only 30 days and then throw it away, even if it still has
medicine in it. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed.
Before using exenatide, tell your doctor if you use any of these oral diabetes medications:
acetohexamide (Dymelor), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide
(Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide (Orinase).
If you are using any type of antibiotic or birth control pill, take these medicines at least 1
hour before you use exenatide.
What is exenatide?
Exenatide is an injectable diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This
medication helps your pancreas produce insulin more efficiently.
Exenatide is used to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Other diabetes
medicines are sometimes used in combination with exenatide if needed.
Exenatide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking exenatide?
Do not use exenatide to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes, or if you are in a
state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Before taking exenatide, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use exenatide.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether exenatide passes into breast milk or if it could be harmful to
a nursing baby. Do not take exenatide without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a
baby.
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