Q: Have a question that i would like to ask you about diabetes. What is the downside of using byetta for treating diabetes?
Thanks, B.
A: Dear B., After working with many patients that are taking Byetta, there seems to be just a few downsides:
1) This medication needs to be injected twice a day. (Even patients who did not want to inject any medication, have found that the injections do not hurt and are not hard to do) and
2) The biggest side effect seems to be nausea. (Many patients look at the nausea as a positive because they then don't eat as much). Nausea time varies from just the first few injections to several weeks, but for most patients it decreases over time. A very few patients have stopped the medication due to vomitting. Other side effects that have been noted are diarrhea, dizziness, headache, jittery feelings and an acid stomach.
If you also take an oral medication that contains a sulfonylura, be sure and discuss your dose and any possible low blood sugars with your doctor before you start your Byetta.
If you want additional information, also look at www.Byetta.com, check with your pharmacist or certified diabetes educator.
Take care, ginny
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