Medication Pearl of the Day: Exenatide (Bydureon)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Exenatide (Bydureon)

Indication: Exenatide (Bydureon) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings.

Insight:

• Dosing: Administer 2 mg by subcutaneous injection once every 7 days, at any time of day, with or without meals. Administer immediately after the powder is suspended.
• Dosage forms: Bydureon is 2 mg exenatide for extended-release injectable suspension.
• Adverse events (AEs): Most common (≥5%) AEs occurring more frequently than comparators in clinical trials were nausea, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, constipation, injection site pruritus, injection site nodule, and dyspepsia.
• Mechanism of action: Incretins, such as GLP-1, enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and exhibit other antihyperglycemic actions following their release into the circulation from the gut. Bydureon is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta-cell, suppresses inappropriately elevated glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying.
• Manufacturer: Amylin Pharmaceuticals

Sources:

• label (fda.gov)
• bydureon image - Google Search