November 4, 2009
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.
Related Posts
- BYETTA Lets Talk in New York
- Saliva Helping Diabetes Patients Control Weight
- How Byetta Helped My Out of Control Diabetes
- FDA Warning On Byetta – Is It Safe?
- Even A Small Weight Loss Benefits Type 2 Diabetes
Ken
06/28/2007 at 1:22 am
And a reminder…don’t go out looking for a gila monster to kiss.
Gila Monster Spit Has a Positive Effect on Weight Loss and Diabetes Control
06/29/2007 at 7:33 am
[...] in Byetta is a synthetic version of a protein produced in the saliva of the Gila Monster. Cool!!read more | digg story Share [...]
Ron Flori
06/29/2007 at 7:45 pm
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
Chris Moorecoll
06/29/2007 at 8:05 pm
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?
Ken
07/02/2007 at 12:11 am
I’ll try to find out the cost in the US.
Even A Small Weight Loss Benefits Type 2 Diabetes
07/04/2007 at 1:43 am
[...] 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 [...]
Elmer Fittery
07/11/2007 at 3:59 pm
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.
Al Spitzer
07/23/2007 at 5:04 pm
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!!
Elmer Fittery
07/24/2007 at 8:32 am
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.
See http://nobelprize.org/
Also, see http://www.endocrinemetabolic.com/services/anodyne.htm
Ken
07/24/2007 at 9:49 am
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.
How Byetta Helped My Out of Control Diabetes
08/07/2007 at 5:43 pm
[...] Byetta and Weight Loss [...]
Michele
08/15/2007 at 7:50 am
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
Ken
08/15/2007 at 8:11 am
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.
Elmer Fittery
08/15/2007 at 4:05 pm
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
Marsha
09/01/2007 at 4:40 pm
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?
Mark
09/12/2007 at 8:31 pm
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!
Ken
09/13/2007 at 8:16 pm
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.
FrankKelso
09/16/2007 at 10:30 am
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.
Flavio Rodriguez
09/20/2007 at 11:00 pm
I am trying to find out where can i find a doctor thats is using byetta on patients in Buena Park area in california.
gramma in Montana
11/09/2007 at 12:27 am
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!!!
gramma in Montana
11/09/2007 at 12:32 am
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!
Ali McAdams
12/15/2007 at 11:56 pm
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.
Sharon Conaway
01/09/2008 at 5:55 am
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.
Sharon Conaway
01/09/2008 at 6:08 am
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.
Sharon Conaway
01/09/2008 at 7:48 am
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?
Ken
01/09/2008 at 10:48 am
Pancreatitis is nothing to mess with at all.
Sharon Conaway
01/09/2008 at 11:01 am
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.
Elmer Fittery
01/09/2008 at 1:52 pm
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:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/0238850281570750/
Patience Flournoy
06/29/2008 at 6:59 am
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.
Beverly
07/01/2008 at 10:48 pm
I start Byetta tomorrow. I travel a lot and am worried about the hassel of makeing sure I keep the pen at 76 degress or cooler. I live in Texas and that is going to be my challeenge going from the home to car to office. I am in and out of office all day long.
Debra G
07/07/2008 at 5:09 pm
I have been on Byetta for 2 months. And it is very expensive here. My insurance Healthnet approves it but the copay is $244. The doctor’s office tried putting thru to the sales reps a application for a lower price and they denied me because I have insurance. I am on SSD and can’t afford the $244 a month. But since I have been on byetta my blood sugar is in check. It used to be when I rose in the morning to check my blood sugar it would be between 120 – 135. Now when I test my morning blood sugar it is usually around 102. I take 2 500 mg Metformin at breakfast and supper. And 1/2 a 2mg glimepiride at supper. Then of course the 2 5mcg shots of Byetta before breakfast and supper. I have lost 12 pounds so far with another 40 to go. I feel alot better than before I started the Byetta. A bigger variety of foods too. The first time I had the full feeling I thought I was going to blow up, LOL but it went away. I only eat half of the size serving I used to eat. Don’t want seconds either. It is worth the money but I just wish I had a better insurance to cover it. I am on alot of meds and can’t exercise because of failed back surgery syndrome and bursitis in my heels and hips. So it is possible to drop the weight without the exercise.
Stephanie
07/09/2008 at 1:36 pm
Does anyone ever experience vomitting with blood? I usually feel a naseua but not actually thow up, till last night. I had been in class and they served pizza, I had a bite and then realized that I needed to take my shot. After eating I felt the usual upset stomach and supper full, but this time I actually threw up and there was blood. I have called my doctor, who refered me to a GI doctor, but I am reluctant to go, as I have a 1500.00 co pay. Has anyone experienced this before?
earl whittington
07/27/2008 at 5:25 pm
i was just diagnosed with t-2. the first month i lost 5.5 lbs. my dr. increased my dose to 10, i’ve been on 10 mg for 10 days and my weight is bouncing between 208-209. it seems i don’t eat hardly anything anymore. b/s run between 89-107. is this temp. or will the weight loss continue
Sharon Conaway
07/28/2008 at 6:04 am
Earl, everybody is different regarding weight loss on Byetta, but you’re just a newbie! Give it time. Since I started on Byetta late last year, I’ve lost almost thirty pounds and am still going down. I started on the 5 mcg. twice a day, had to cut back to once a day until I got used to the drug, then back to twice a day and now I’m on the 10 mcg. once a day which works better for me. Hit a snag on the 5 mcg. and lost more when I went to the 10. I’m so used to Byetta now, I really don’t get side effects, anymore. I eat everything I want to and like, just less of it. I’m only 5 ft. tall, and at my age I’m not expecting to get down to what I used to weigh when I was much younger, but I’ll settle for 130 at this stage of my life. Am almost there. If I can go below that, so much the better. Byetta has done for my weight loss what nothing else has been able to do for me – give me a fighting chance to really lose, keep it off, by cutting me appetite to a manageable level. I’ve said before how nice it is to not be a slave to one’s appetite. Just be patient.
Sandi
08/15/2008 at 1:45 pm
I just started Byetta two days ago. I’m so excited. My bs #s are so low now (as a matter of fact I had a wicked low last night but brought it up and #s good this a.m.) and I may need to reduce my glimepiride. I currently take 8 mg a day of that and 2 5mg shots of Byetta.
This is a wonderful drug!
victor vega
08/20/2008 at 9:28 am
i was on byetta when it first came out no side effects went from 5mcg 2x to 10mcg 2x not much weight loss doctor decided 2stop byetta and start novolog & levamir byetta not working finally i chose 2 go on minimed insulin pump w/sensor still difficult 2 control #’s but better than all those injections. as 4 surgery if u can’t push away from table or control eating bypass or lapband won;t help either as someone wrote earlier everyone is different no side effects for some doesn’t work 4 other’s all we can do is do the best we can follow doctor’s orders and PRAY for the best
Julie Shaw
08/28/2008 at 6:34 am
I’ve been on Byetta 10mcg 2x/day and Metformin 500mg 2x/day for about 2 years. The Byetta has helped me lose 60 lbs. I’m 6′ tall and weigh about 260 now. I had a little nausea at first, but it mostly felt like an appetite suppressant. The effects aren’t as strong now, but my appetite isn’t so ravenous as before. I had high blood insulin making me hungry ALL the time. Hard to control your food intake when you’re hungry. Am very concerned about the recent deaths from taking Byetta due to pancreatitis, as is my husband. The positives outweigh the possible negatives for now. Low fat diet is important. I am constipated every day, though. I only have diarrhea if I eat a high fat meal. I am hoping to do the Lap Band surgery, and hopefully, won’t need the Byetta then. My insurance, BCBS, doesn’t cover the surgery, though, and I’m hoping to get on my husband’s plan, Coventry, that does cover it. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones who took Byetta. This is quite frightening.
Julie Shaw
08/28/2008 at 6:45 am
Also, someone mentioned problems with keeping it cool while traveling for work. I also travel for work some days. My daily routine is to put the entire Byetta package with extra alcohol wipes in a plastic bag and then I store it in a cooler between 2 ice packs. This keeps it cool all day until I get home. I am looking into extended use freezer packs for travel, when I won’t have access to a frig. Usually the hotel or B&B have a frig they’ll let you use. I had bubbles in my Byetta, too, when I kept the needle on all the time. Literature warns this can happen, and it will affect the dosage. Now I take the needle off after each use, and leave it lightly capped in the tray the Byetta comes it. It doesn’t get lost since I keep it all together in the package. Works for me.
Sharon Conaway
08/28/2008 at 3:49 pm
Traveling any distance with the Byetta is a problem regarding refrigeration. I just stick it in a plastic bag with a needle in my purse when I go out to eat or know I’ll be away for a few hours before I eat. Only when I’m eating at home can I keep in the fridge. I can’t be bothered with the inconvenience of special cooler packing and just hope for the best. Seems it’s not harming the Byetta or me. Am not losing anymore weight right now after having lost the 30 lbs. Will ask my doctor if I can increase my dosage so I can lose a little more to get where I want.
Stephanie
08/29/2008 at 10:22 am
Just wanted to let you all know about an inexpensive way to keep your byetta cold for travel. I purchased a small water activated cooling cleeve that fits very nicely into a small purse or pocket. Diabetesandmore.com. I bought the “Frio” brand and LOVE it. it just soaks in water for 5 minutes and lasts for days!!!!! so easy to use and travel with. I was not questioned by any security in airports either. I have been taking 5mg2x dayly and feel ok, but no weight loss at all. This is terribly discouraging, as it was my real hope that I would loose at least some.
Sharon Conaway
08/29/2008 at 3:13 pm
Thanks, Stephanie, for telling us about this cooling system for your Byetta. I will check it out on the website you put in your comment. Sorry to hear you aren’t losing weight on the Byetta. If you haven’t been on it very long, do give it a few months’ chance. I know how it is to be discouraged.
James Scott
09/03/2008 at 3:55 pm
I am a white retired male, age 81-1/2. I participated in the Phase 3 clinical trials for Byetta (ID’ed then as 2993) from 2002 until the end of the trial in July 2006. This trial continued a year after the approval of Byetta by the FDA. I was 75 when I entered the clinical trials, by answering a 1-800 number.
For a number of months in the trial, I was on a placebo (unknown to myself and clinic staff – double blind tests).
Results were not great. Then OLE phase (open label) started. Then everyone was using Byetta. My results were dramatic. I felt much better, my glucose levels dropped and I lost over 30-pounds!
Since then, I have continued to use Byetta, even at the high cost. (during the trials, everything was free).
This drug has done wonderfully for me. I no longer take Metformin. I have been on 3 cruises since starting the trials. On the SS Norway, I had to keep 2993 in the fridge in the Medical office. The last 2 cruises, there was a mini-bar that I used.
Ken
09/03/2008 at 4:38 pm
Hi James, thanks for sharing.
What kind of tests did they do on you during that time?
Also do you always leave your byetta in the fridge? Right now I leave it on my desk at room temperature.
Sharon Conaway
09/04/2008 at 6:54 am
Hi, Jim,
Thanks for sharing your positive Byetta experience. Same here for me as well. Good for the diabetes and have had a great weight loss of a little over 30 lbs. so far. No more side-effects since passing through the adjustment period. Glad Byetta has helped you to enjoy life more.
I’m waiting to receive the one-pen and a few needles-size Frio cooler wallet Sabrina spoke of and gave the website for ordering from. Because they ran out of red ones, which they said they’ll get today, I just have to wait for it a little longer.
V
09/04/2008 at 11:03 pm
I never refrigerate my Byetta pen, as my physician, and my pharmacy told me you no longer have to refrigerate the pen once you start using it each month. I am however curious about the Frio cooler wallet.
Also, I have lost a little over 30lbs, and with that incentive, started weightwatchers, where I have now lost another 10lbs. So YAY for Byetta! For those discouraged by the nausea…stick with it, my doc gave me Zofran for the nausea..another wonder drug, until I got through the adjustment phase. Good Luck with it all
Sharon Conaway
09/05/2008 at 12:50 am
Hi, V,
Glad to hear about your wonderful weight loss and that one really doesn’t have to refrigerate Byetta pens after the first use.
Diabetesand more.com is the website Stephanie posted where we both ordered the Frio cooling wallets. Now you’re saying I may not even need the Frio wallet…
Zofran for the nausea, eh? Don’t know why my endocrinologist never gave me something like that, because I sure suffered for those two months of adjustment. I’ll have to ask her about that.
Stephanie
09/05/2008 at 10:47 am
Hey there folks.
Sorry if I created any confusion. I purchased the Frio for traveling. It is supposed to stay, I believe, below 77 degrees. Well where I was headed it is much warmer and staying in a cabin on the river for several days, I had no assured way to keep in cool, so I searched and found the Frio. I do not refridgerate my pen when it is at home but often times living in Colorado temps here reached a high of 107 this summer and I will often go out after work with friends for supper, so it means I need to have my pen with me instead of at home. My frio has been invaluable tool in maintaining my active lifestyle and allowed me complete freedom to go and do whatever whenever. If you have a regular schedule and are home every evening and dont travel much, there is probably no need for you to buy this. I travel extensively for my job, so this became a necessity for me.
Still no wight loss and numbers in morning are not great either, but still hoping Byetta will work for me.
James Scott
09/07/2008 at 4:41 pm
Each time I visited the clinic, they would take a urine sample, and usually 4 or 5 vials of blood. About every 5th visit, they also did an EKG. I received copies of all these tests. The blood test results usually were 3 pages! In addition, I was required to call an 800-number each week. I only identified myself by a code number. I would report results by using the keypad. About every 2 months, I would talk to a RN. Also I was required to report any unusual symptoms (usually an hypoglycemic episode) immediately. I also had to keep a written log of my daily blood glucose values. All supplies (needles, swabs, the drug, the injection pen (Not the same as the Byetta pen) were supplied. And they even gave me a check at every visit!!
I shared all results with my Primary Care doctor. Overall a very good experience, especially since the results were that I and many others have been helped with our diabetes.
Stephanie
10/15/2008 at 6:08 pm
Getting ready to quit Byetta. after suspecting and testing the theoty that Byetta is actually increasing by BG levels, it has been confirmed that this is not the right medicine for me. Additionally, I have not experienced any weight loss after 3 months. Overall….I dont find it to work or be worth the trouble for me. My hopes of weight loss, sadly have been dashed.
Perhaps Januvia or another may work to help control my levels.
Sharon Conaway
10/15/2008 at 9:22 pm
Hi, Stephanie,
Sorry to hear Byetta hasn’t worked for you after it was you who put me onto the Frio cooling pack, which I’m now using when I go out. No weight loss at all? Wow, that’s a bummer.
Here’s something that I just read in the “Your Health” section of the October 20th issue of The National Examiner that might be of interest to you and to others for whom Byetta didn’t do the trick concerning a new synthesized version of a natural hormone, a drug called liraglutide, that’ll be coming down the pipeline in 2009:
“Diabetes sufferers may get a two-for-one deal with a new medication – insulin production AND weight loss! A new drug, liraglutide, has passed a phase 3 trial, typically the last test before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration and will be hitting the market.
A laboratory-made version of a natural hormone, liraglutide had better results in combating Type 2 diabetes than the most commonly prescribed current medication, glimepiride, according to a report in the online medical journal, The Lancet.
And as an added bonus, liraglutide seems to help diabetics drop weight! In the year-long trial, sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which hopes to market the drug, participants lost an average of 4.4 pounds. In contrast, those taking glimepiride GAINED an average of 2.2 pounds.
‘We want more medications that have this type of profile,’ says trial leader Dr. Alan Garber, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. ‘It is very well-tolerated, has few side effects and can lead to weight loss. Most diabetes medications now produce weight gain, and that is very discouraging to our patients. Liraglutide also caused a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure.’ There was one negative side effect mentioned, a slight risk of pancreatitis. Two participants suffered fromt he problem, which can cause nausea, vomiting and stomachache. But Garber insisted that ‘there’s unlikely to be a major pancreatitis concern because it’s so rare’ and he expected the medication to be available to the public in the first half of 2009.
Liraglutide is delivered by way of a daily injection and was more effective in treating diabetes than oral medications, according to Garber.
And study investigator, Dr. Robert Ratner of the Med-Star Research Institute in Washington, D.C., says ‘The study showed that liraglutide not only statistically significantly reduced blood glucose levels, eight and systolic blood pressure, but also sustained the glucose reductions in patients who’d never taken diabetes medication before.’”
Can’t tell you how liraglutide fared in comparison to Byetta since Byetta wasn’t mentioned in the article. Could it be that liraglutide is similar to Byetta but better? We’ll see.
Stephanie
10/16/2008 at 11:21 am
Thank you Sharon, I welcome any advice or perspective from other users.
I will ask my doctor about this.