What Does the Diabetes Drug Byetta and the Gila Monster Have in Common with Causes Weight Loss?
There are many people with Type 2 Diabetes that currently utilize the drug Byetta marketed by Eli Lilly and Amylin. The active ingredient in Byetta is a synthetic version of a protein produced in the saliva of the Gila Monster. More than just help with diabetes, researchers have just released findings for another positive benefit Byetta offers…weight loss.
At the annual American Diabetes Association conference this week, researchers presented the findings of a 3 year 200 person study that was conducted on Byetta. The findings showed that Byetta causes weight loss as well as control of diabetes.
“Well, it’s weird. You have to wonder how you can go from Gila monster saliva to something that works in humans,” said Sandra Leal, a pharmacist and diabetes expert at El Rio Community Health Center.
The average weight loss was described as modest only totaling about 11 pounds per patient but most of the weight loss occurred in the first year which is great. Since obesity and type 2 diabetes often go hand in hand additional weight loss is a definite benefit to any patient taking Byetta.
The weight loss caused by Byetta can be contributed to two major factors. The first being that Byetta slows the rate at which the stomach empties causing the patient to feel satisfied longer after each meal. The second factor is that it interacts with the part of the brain that is responsible for the sensation of being full. Both of those things would aide in a patient trying to lose weight.
As most of us may know, diet and exercise are both very important in controlling diabetes. If you are on a diabetes friendly diet and are getting your exercise you are doing your part in the battle against diabetes and you should be very proud of yourself.
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[...] in Byetta is a synthetic version of a protein produced in the saliva of the Gila Monster. Cool!!read more | digg story Share [...]
If you want to not get diabetes do not consume dairy, margerine or hifurctose corn syrup. I can help stableize your levels possibly, works for friends. Type 1 or 2. rflori@sbcglobal.net
In Australia, it’s known as Exenatide and weight loss is real, as friends can attest (eg 5 kg in 8 weeks). However, its very expensive here. How much (in round figures - like mine!) does it cost you guys in the US?
[...] I find kind of interesting is that the drug Byetta was just found to cause modest weight loss in the Type 2 Diabetes patients that were taking the medication. This weight loss was not linked to [...]
I started on Byetta around 11/2006.
I didn’t loose much weight in the first month, but then lost 35 lbs ( about 10kg ) in the next 3 months.
Around 2/2007, my doctor took me off of Byetta because she was concerned with my rash around my mouth and my constantly running nose. She felt I was having an alergic reaction.
Around 5/2007 I was up about 15 lbs ( about 5kg) and started up my byetta. It is now 7/2007 and I am down about 10 lbs.
My blood sugars aren’t normal, but they are better than when I was on insulin.
Please note, when I was on insulin, I gained 50 lbs in about 4 months and I felt terrible. On Byetta, I feel better, but I still need to exercise some. I just sit around and write software - no exercise unless I take the time to do it.
JUST DO IT! I keep saying that, but so far no good.
take care everybody.
I’ve been on Byetta for a year and have had a tremendous drop in my A1C as well as losing 60 pounds. Let’s hear it for gila monster spit!!
I went on Byetta in October of 2006. My initial 3 months on 5mg shots twice a day ended when the doctor grew concerned that my rashes on my face and hands was due to byetta.
After 3 months of taking byetta, I had lost 40lbs, going from 325 to 285.
I was off byetta for 3 months and after taking tests the doctor allowed me once again to start on byetta. Note, she was not enthuastic about the idea, but we agreed if I were willing to have tests done tests done every two weeks when I went back on byetta, she would do it.
I started back on byetta in March of 2007. By that time, I had gained weight and was 305lbs.
Now it is July 24th, 2007 and my weight is 292lbs.
Another piece of information that I found out.
Diabetics with ulcers have been treated with infrared laser treatment to get their ulcers to heal.
According to the literature, infrared penetrates the body 1-1/2 inches. The infrared light causes the naturally occuring nitric oxide in your body’s blood to cause your blood vessels to dialate.
Also, see http://www.endocrinemetabolic.com/services/anodyne.htm
Elmer thanks for sharing your experience with Byetta. Do you think the weight gain was because you stop taking Byetta or your eating habits changed?
Also what was it like taking the Byetta needle everyday? I’m going to be put on it next week.
Question? Did you completely come off all the medication you were on, in order to use Byetta. I’m Currently on Amaryl, Janumet,Armour,Effexor,Lantus,Lysinopril and Sinvastin I feel like a walking pharmacy, today my AM reading was 190 Thank You
I was only taking 500mg Byetta 2x daily. Then I was put on Glipizide 5mg once a day. A week later I started the Byetta injections 2x day and my sugar have been under control ever since.
Taking two shots per day is nothing. The needles I use are so tiny I only feel them going in about 1 time in 3 shots.
When I used Byetta, I still was taking lots meds. I didn’t go off of any of my meds other than going off insulin.
I went back on byetta after about a 3 month period my doctor wanted me to take a break ( from byetta ).
Anyhow, I have been back on for about 2 months and have gone down in weight from 305 to 290. I have been stuck there for about 1 month.
I am eating more than the first time I was on byetta, but I sadly I am stuck at 290 ;-(
luck to you all
I weighed 351 when I started Byetta. In 4 weeks I lost 28 # or one pound a day. I also took all my 20 some RXs, Lantus and Humalog, and started Byetta 3 times a day. This is per an endrocrinologist?
I have been on Byetta since the beginning of June 2007. I have lost about 20 lbs and haven’t had any blood sugars over 130. I am only on the 5mcg shot twice a day. I never had to bump up to the 10mcg!
nothing over 130. That’s kinda low. Does your Dr know about that? I still see my blood sugar go up to 170 and as low as 100.
Hi,
I have been taking Byetta now for about two months. I have lost about 28 pounds. I still have about 20 more to go. When I fist started taking Byetta I was doing the 5 mcg 2x per day. Made me sick as a dog. About 1 month later the doctor upped me to 10 2x per day. For about three days it made me ill but now there are no evident side effects-only if I eat fatty food–then I feel ill.
I am trying to find out where can i find a doctor thats is using byetta on patients in Buena Park area in california.
I was under a LOT of stress and went in for a 6 month check up to have my B12 level check - my A1c had never been over 7.1 so I was not concerned about it. Everything came back great BUT my A1c it was 8.6 - my wonderful doctor gave me a choice of byetta or insulin. I chose Byetta - What a great choice!!
Sept 27 I weighed 177 lbs - November 8 I weigh 160 lbs.
No nauseau (except the one night I ate a little bit before taking injection - never again) I have missed probably 6 shot in 6 weeks but life goes on.
Prior to Byetta I was taking (per day): 4 glipizide, 4 glucophage, 3 Starlix, 1 Avandia and a few other meds for other conditions. First the doctor dropped my Avandia. Today he dropped the Starlix and plans to look at reducing or dropping something else next week.
Last night for dinner I had a 6″ Subway roast beef melt (with au jus) and then a snack size snickers. PM blood sugar was 111 and AM this morning was 66. One evening a 5 oz homemade burger with homemade relish (w sugar) and two hours later Blood sugar was 73 - so the meds are slowly dropping by the wayside.
Part of my weight loss can be attributed to the fact that prior to this my doctor had told me to lay of the meat - opt for chicken or fish when possible - which are my preferences anyway - this order due to non-symptomatic diverticulosis. But since Byetta it’s been a steady 1 pound a week and I’m ok with that. I’m only 5′1″ so I have more than a few pounds to share.
OH - and I have a needle PHOBIA!!! I have hairs on my body thicker than these needles - don’t have a problem at all with them! The micro-needles are extra short too.
Jump in both feet first - the water is GREAT!!!
ALSO - after the injection and then eating I am SO FULL - I don’t want another bite! I think THAT is the real reason for the weight loss - really reduces carb cravings. But if I want mashed potatoes I eat them - but I only want half of what I used to. But when I eat a heavy carb meal I will see like 141 for a PM rather than 111 or lower.
Don’t be afraid to try it - be afraid NOT to!!! Teeny, tiny needles are - NOTHING compared to losing your sight or hands or feet.
My mind was made up when my husband said “I don’t want to lose you a piece at a time.” I knew what he meant and he is right! I’m 51 and I’m way too young to give up!
I have been taking Byetta for 2 months I lost 6 pounds. I miss some doses. I take 2 500 Metformin and 10 mg Byetta a day. It’t not bad, just a little sick and the needles are ok if I pinch the skin and than administer the shot.
The jury is still out for me about whether or not the benefits of taking Byetta are worth the side-effects because I’m still in the adjustment phase. I started to take Byetta on 12/4/07, so that means as I’m writing this I’ve been on the 5 mcg. once a day with 1,000 mg. of Metformin twice a day before I eat. What happened is I started out taking the 5 mcg. twice a day and got SO sick it was frightening and horrid. The bloat, the gas, the tiredness, the nausea and vomiting. My appetite was slaughtered to the extent I couldn’t eat or enjoy much of anything, so my husband worried about if I were getting enough nutrition and if I’d ever be able to enjoy a meal again. Once could say this was like having had a chemical intestinal by-pass. Therefore, my endocrinologist told me to take the Byetta just once a day until I was used to it and then notch it up to twice a day, which is what I have been doing. For a while there, it still was bad but I feel I’m getting much more used to it hopefully to the extent where my quality of life won’t be compromised. I haven’t yet gone up to taking it twice a day. I’m getting nauseous and vomiting less, not getting as tired, etc. I, too, was ready to give up the Byetta, but I’m hanging in there on the “strong recommendation” of my doctor who wants me to lose the weight. I’m only five feet tall and currently weigh 157 #’s at my last stand on my home scale. That’s about 11 #’s of weight loss since I started and hope there will be a whole lot more as time goes on. I will say my readings have been more unstable with this Byetta regimen. My Type 2 isn’t a severe case, so I always had normal range readings since being under treatment. I was on Avandia & Metformin or Avandamet before stopping the Avandia and starting the Byetta. My readings now can range from 88 to 136. The first time I took Byetta, my reading went down to 79. I suppose it’s all part of the process of getting used to it. My doctor says this Byetta has been the only thing that helps people like me who can’t lose and keep weight off to do so any other way. She’s had patients who have lost as much as 60 - 70 lbs. She wants me to give it a complete six to eight weeks to adjust and I think I’ll make it just fine at this point, because I seem to have gotten over the worst of it at this point.
I’d like to point out that I find it a plus to not be a slave to my appetite for food, anymore. I find it liberating to be free of anything I can’t control or that torments me. I still get some bloating, but less discomfort with it. It goes away. That full feeling one gets is nice. When one gets used to the Byetta, one can still enjoy food but just not be able to eat as much of it. It takes a while to begin to know which foods one can still enjoy and which to avoid so as not to get nauseous or have to vomit. What I hope to be able to do after full adjustment is to still be able to eat all the foods I enjoy - just less of it. We’ll see what happens, but it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t do my best to give it my best try. If I can lose enough weight on this spit, just think of how light I’ll feel on my feet, how easily I’ll be able to move and all the great new clothes I could wear that I haven’t dared to even consider all these years. And my sugar readings and diabetes will improve with the weight loss my doctor is so anxious to see. I’ll also be able to get the face lift and other body sculpting procedures I’ve been wanting for many years since plastic surgeons do tell patients to lose weight, if possible, before it’s done. If this drug does it’s job for me, I suppose I’ll be on it for the rest of my life in order to maintain the weight loss.
It’s definitely the appetite suppressant property of the Byetta that enables people to lose weight. The amount of weight loss varies with each person. My supposition about that is that the degree of appetite suppression once a person gets used to the drug depends on the individual, and the amount of weight which needs to be lost varies from individual to individual as well. I’d like to lose a total of between 40 - 50 lbs., because at my age, it’s not the best idea to be too thin since one might look gaunt and drawn and possibly not have as much energy. In my prime, I weighed 100 lbs. That might be a little too little now. When I was diagnosed with the diabetes back in 1992, I weighed about 188 to 190 lbs. I then lost a total of 40 #’s and pre-Byetta, gained back about 18 to 20. Now, I’m losing again.
Sorry, I meant to include this in the first comment but forgot and pushed “Say it”. On my PPO’s drug plan, the Byetta costs $15 (copayment) which is the price for all brand name formulary drugs. Generics cost $7 and non-formulary drugs cost $35. It varies, I would imagine, according to what type of coverage one has or if one has any at all. On straight Medicaid, I believe it’s free. On Medicaid with a plan, I suppose it varies. With Medicare, it depends on what kind of a Part D plan one has. Oh, I also want to mention that I have no problem giving myself a Byetta shot. Those needles are so short and fine one hardly feels it at all, especially if one first grabs the fat fold on the abdomen/pannus. It’s such a big nothing I do it right at the table when we eat out and no one notices. I try to leave the needle in longer than slowly counting to five, because there’s often a bead of the spit that come up on the end of the needle which I’d rather get inside me. It’s not abnormal to get the bead, but if one leaves the needle in longer, the chances are better you’ll get the whole dose. All I know is Byetta is sure some potent stuff.
Am I worried about getting Byetta-induced pancreatitis? Perhaps just a little, but when one considers the possibilities that could happen with any drug, especially a new one, the chances are it won’t happen to you. Perhaps the jury is still out on the pancreatitis issue as well, because it’s still a relatively new drug. I figure it this way: I have many health problems. Where would I be if I were afraid to take all the drugs I take which have so helped me lead a better quality of life? I’d either be dead or wish I were. There has been only one drug out the many I’ve taken that I’ve had an allergic reaction to, so I switched to another. Remember the big furor over Prozac and other SSRI’s causing suicidal and violent behavior in younger people? Well, I’ve been on that drug since 1992, and it’s been wonderful for me, real lifesaver. If a person stays frozen in fear, they accomplish nothing in life. Fear is the greatest paralyzer. I know there isn’t anything else yet out there quite like Byetta, so I hope my adjustment to it will continue well so I can stay on it and continue to lose the weight that will help my diabetes get better and me to look better. If the weight goes, perhaps at least some of my other health problems will go with it. BTW, does anyone out there know if an oral version of Byetta is coming soon?
Thanks, Ken. I realize that people can die from pancreatitis. But I don’t plan on getting it. Could it be that somehow for a certain few people, Byetta puts a big strain on the pancreas? After all, diabetes is caused by a bum pancreas. Type 1’s pancreases are essentially dead, and the pancreases of Type 2’s like me are hanging on for dear life.
Today is 12/9/2008 and I am 280lbs.
I have stopped taking byetta for the time being. I lost about 45 lbs at first, but I have been stuck around between 275 and 295.
For those out there that are 100lbs overweight, you should look up laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection.
According to the literature, this operation removes a portion of the stomach making its shape more like a banana shape and less of a football shape.
It seems removing that portion of the stomach removes tissue which causes diabetes.
The literature, says that 2 days after the surgery diabetes goes away.
Currently, this surgery is not covered by blue cross blue sheild whereas, a lot of the other more drastic surgury’s are covered. Hopefully that will change in the future.
take a look at:
Well I have been on Byetta for only 2 weeks. I have experienced the feeling of being full and that was only at 5 mcg. My Doctor wanted me to start reducing my lantus and go up to 10mcg. Well i did this as planned. My sugar level bottomed out within 30 minutes AFTER eating my meal. I ws fine at 5mcg. I again took it as was revised and had the same results! This time I ended up in the emergency room. Although i think its a wonderfull drug, I think we need to be cautiously optomistic. A dear friend had an alergic reaction and ended with kidney failure. I hate being so negative, however each persons chemical makeup is different! Be carefull!! Still I got to say I would have tried this no matter what.
And a reminder…don’t go out looking for a gila monster to kiss.