By Annette R. Karnash, R.N., M.N.
Recent studies have identified several positive results from taking Byetta. Byetta is known to help in weight loss by not only reducing the appetite, thus allowing the patient to feel sated and by decreasing the amount of time it takes for food to pass from the stomach, thereby resulting in a sensation of fullness for a longer period of time. It also works on the pancreas to produce more insulin and on the liver to decrease glucose production. In addition, Byetta reduces blood sugars and A1C levels to 7% or less and has significantly reduced the amount of insulin needed.
In an Italian study, Byetta was either able to regenerate or produce healthy beta cells after one year of treatment when it was discovered that type 2 patients had an increase in C-Peptide secretion, a byproduct of the body’s insulin output.
There have been reports of type 2 patients taking Byetta developing acute pancreatitis, especially after the does was doubled. However, this was reversed and symptoms did subside when the does was decreased or discontinued.
Byetta has been used in conjunction with other diabetes medications since its introduction into the market in 2005, but Amylin and Lilly Pharmaceuticals will petition the FDA in the near future to offer it as a monotherapy for type 2 diabetes. A long acting release (LAR) version of Byetta, injected only once a week as compared to the present twice a day version will also be considered and would be a significant improvement in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This may provide and additional option in the use of Byetta before starter insulin earlier in the continuum of care is considered in the treatment of diabetes.
