Byetta (Exenatide) is a new type of medication approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for diabetic patients. It suppresses pancreatic release of glucagon in response to eating, which helps stop the liver from overproducing sugar when it is not needed. It improves blood sugar control by dropping both postmeal and fasting glucose levels leading to better long-term control as measured by hemoglobin A1C. Byetta exanatide does this through some actions, including the stimulation of insulin secretion only when blood sugar is high and by restoring the first-phase insulin response, an activity of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas that is lost in patients who have type 2 diabetes.

Byetta was approved by the FDA for use by people with type 2 diabetes who are not successful at controlling their blood sugar levels despite using the commonly prescribed oral medications metformin, a sulfonylurea or both. Byetta is a functional analog of the human incretin GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1). Incretins enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and display other antihyperglycemic actions following their release into the circulation from the gut. The GLP-1 system increases insulin secretion only in the presence of important plasma glucose levels, avoiding improperly high insulin levels during fasting. The drug also moderates peak serum glucagon levels during hyperglycemic periods following meals, but does not obstruct with glucagon release in response to hypoglycemia. A secondary effect of drug administration reduces the rate of gastric emptying and decreases food intake, justifying the potential severity of hyperglycemic events after meals. This drug seems to be very effective for wieght loss that some nondiabetics have begun using Byetta as a diet drug causing concern among doctors" Times staff writer Alex Berenson writes

Dosage and Administration
Byetta therapy must be initiated at 5 mcg per dose administered two times daily at any time within the 60-minute period before the morning and evening meals. Later it can be increased to 10 mcg (mg). The Price of Byetta 5 MCG Pen (250mcg/ml Solution 1.2ml Cartridge) for 1 Cartridge is around $185 and byetta price for 10 MCG is $210

For Patients
Byetta must not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, nor is Byetaa a substitute for insulin in insulin-requiring patients. Use of Byetta is not suggested in patients with end-stage renal disease or severe renal impairment, or in patients with severe gastrointestinal disease. Biatta must be used with caution in patients receiving oral medications that require rapid gastrointestinal absorption. Some other drugs for 2006 are acomplia, rozerem, rimoslim and remonabant which are available at xlpharmacy.