Byetta injections

[amberlites]

My  fasting glucose level has increased in the last month. I've been taking my meds as directed and my diet has remained the same. I've been injecting Byetta for nearly two years (twice a day). My husband saw that there is a class action suit against the manufacturer because of side effects, damage to the pancreas. I did some reserch on line and found there are all kinds of side effects, damage to the kidneys, liver and G.I. issues. For the last year I have had IBS and now my blood sugar is climbing, (only my fasting). Needless to say I have quit taking the injections because I'm afraid it has caused these changes. Has anyone else had these sort of problems?  I'm going to see my Dr. in a few weeks and I want to be better informed.

[WaveRider]

Scroll down and read the comments on Byetta. Please understand that this site is sponsored by a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice, product liability and personal injury law firm. Also note that the lawsuit is a potential lawsuit and under review, meaning they are seeking clients.  http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/byetta-770/

What is true is The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two Healthcare Alerts (10/2007 & 08/2008) linking approximately 30 cases of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta.

There are four main kinds of injectable insulin. The type of insulin you use will depend on your individual needs and lifestyle. Search and understand them before discussing with your doctor.

    * Short-acting insulin, eg Actrapid: soluble insulin starts working within 30 to 60 minutes and lasts six to eight hours. Insulin analogues start working within 15 minutes and last for up to five hours. Examples are insulin aspart, insulin lispro and insulin glulisine.

    * Intermediate-acting insulin: isophane insulin starts working after one to two hours and lasts 10 to 14 hours. Examples are Humulin I and Insulatard.

    * Long-acting insulin: these start working after one to two hours and last for up to 24 hours. Examples are insulin zinc suspension, protamine zinc insulin, and the insulin analogues insulin glargine and insulin detemir. The latter two insulins are now the most widely used long-acting insulins.

    * Biphasic insulins: mixtures of short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins in different proportions, such as 30/70, 50/50. Examples are NovoMix 30, Humulin M3, Insuman comb and Humalog Mix25.

[amberlites]

Thanks for your reply. I am currently taking  gMetformin hcl ( 500mg) 2 tablets twice a day also glyset (25mg) 1 tablet w/meals.  My fasting glucose was averaging 102, now 119, (14-day).  I'm hoping I don't have to be put on insulin.

[WaveRider]

Watch your carb intake, try to exercise - like walking after meals, and maintain proper weight. This will help to lower your glucose levels. You're getting real close to injectable insulin. If your doctor prescribes such, ask for the brands (names) he/she is recommending. Get several choices then Google each one and understand ALL the side effects. Look at the history of how long its been on the market. Google for user reviews and/or problems. Do this before you fill the prescription.

[jlaracuente]

My former endrocrinologist put me on Byetta and I stayed with it for a few months. Even before I read about Byetta's possible link with pancreatis, I stopped the injections. Problem was that I would get severe nausea in the morning and often vomited. It was no fun feeling sick while driving or throwing up in a garbage can in my classroom(retired teacher). My new primary doctor eventually junked my diabetic orals and put me on Humalog and Lantus insulins.

[caregiver222]

The Lantus / insulin glargine is a very good well-tolerated product. The injections are painless.  It is often prescribed together with metformin.