Exenatide and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I dropped a jean size. My close relatives say they have noticed some weight loss results. The nausea is awful when I eat unhealthy food. So I stick to my fruits, vegetables, and lean meat. I cut out bread, white rice, and other bad carbohydrates out of my diet. I only have half a cup serving of brown rice. For breakfast, I choose to eat fruits as I am a full-time university student, and I don't need to feel nauseated. For lunch, I have a small meal, then in the evening, I either eat fruits/veggies or nothing. I drink so much water... I am always thirsty lately. Again, the water seems to drain out the nausea and occasionally diarrhea from bad food choices. I will keep you updated on my journey! In all honesty, I feel so good now."

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 24, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Bydureon since November 2012 and 2000 mg metformin a day. I am pre-diabetic, have hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovarian syndrome variance. After much difficulty, this medicine has been a lifesaver! I have lost 51 lbs to date (235 to 184) and am feeling great! My A1C went from 6.5 to 5.7 in three months. I get new lab results next week. I did have side effects in the beginning, but I stuck with it, and it is fine now. No more nausea. Some diarrhea, but I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Good luck to anyone out there dealing with this."

• gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Bydureon for a year now. My HbA1c is running between 5.5 and 6.6. Every once in a while, I will have nausea, but rarely. The diarrhea isn't too bad, and I counter that with Imodium AD. Weight loss has stopped. I was 295 lbs when I first started Bydureon a year ago. I am now stuck at 275. But Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'm sure, didn't help any. I'm back on my strict diet of salads, turkey, and tuna. So I'm sure to lose more weight, from where, I don't know because I'm in decent shape. My blood sugars run from as low as 74 all the way up to 200, but mainly stay around 80 to 130. It has gotten more expensive for me. I was paying $20 a month. Now it has jumped to $150 a month."

• Lan...
• July 21, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I had liver damage from Lisc/HCL, so I became type 2 diabetic. My M.D. put me on Bydureon to take the load off my liver to allow it to heal. I have dropped 18 lbs. My nurse practitioner/Bydureon rep taught me how to eat properly: WATCH YOUR CARBS, NOT CALORIES!!! I was only eating between 1,000-1,400 calories a day and gaining weight. My NP taught me about carbs, my 120-calorie snack had 110 carbs in it!!! As a diabetic, I was only to shoot for 150 carbs a day. I did this, the weight is melting off. My liver enzyme test came back perfect! After two years of fighting!! The Bydureon is working!! It did give me some heartburn, diarrhea, and lumps at the injection site, but I feel this is worth it!! I have been on it for 6 weeks now! Count your carbs!"

• Mar...
• November 10, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Bydureon 10 weeks ago. I was fine the first 6 weeks. On week 7, I became extremely ill. Vomiting, explosive diarrhea, gas pains, and bloating like never before, long flatulence every few minutes (how embarrassing!), and sulfur-tasting belching (like rotten eggs). The endo doctor said it wasn't the med. I went to my primary doctor because I wasn't sure if it was a virus. All of my tests came back negative. The third week, same thing. I decided not to take the injection and notified the endo. She told me to stop metformin and resume the shot. Last week, had the shot and my condition worsened. She finally told me to stop the injections. It's been four weeks of suffering. Not worth it! This stuff is poison to me!"

• Luv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "It's been a week and I took my second injection. My hunger is practically nothing, and I need to remind myself to eat. Now my morning reading is 172 from 207, and after two hours it's in the 135-145 range. I have lost 7 lbs in one week! No side effects except some diarrhea. I'm feeling better day by day. Switched my diet to fewer carbohydrates so I do not have a rollercoaster of numbers. Feeling less tired also. Will post more in a week."

• MC2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2018

"Started Bydureon six weeks ago. I do not have sugar problems, nor have I ever. This drug was prescribed to me as an appetite suppressant and to assist with weight loss. Started Bydureon weighing 205 lb, six weeks later, I currently weigh in at 186 lb. There are side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and hard lumps at the injection site, however, the benefits outweigh those side effects."

• Dow...
• March 18, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Bydureon 2 mg in May 2015. It's been 10 months, and my A1C is 5.7. I've dropped 60 pounds, went from a size 15 to a size 8, feel great. The nausea really gets me some days, and I just can't eat much at all. But it does do its job. I was on metformin for 2 years before Bydureon, and I had constant diarrhea. I'll take the nausea over the #2s."

• Lil...
• December 6, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Took first dose. Had some mild nausea and indigestion. Took second injection and within 24 hours was violently ill with horrible diarrhea and vomiting. This went on for 10 hours. I feel awful still, and it's three days later. Reported it to my doctor and AstraZeneca. Both agreed it was the medicine's and have advised me not to take any more."

• rlo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my 5th week of taking Bydureon. So far, I have had no reactions to my injection sites. I usually inject at the same time every Monday, and I am good on the first day, but on the 2nd and 3rd day, I feel so nauseous that I can hardly eat. I also find that I have diarrhea a lot. I have not really lost any weight but have not gained weight either. Best of all, I went from 414 (my highest blood level) to 99 (my lowest level) so far. So there is a major difference in my blood sugar. I cannot wait to see what my A1C reading will be when I get my blood work done in a month."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Bydureon for 7 weeks after fighting my doctor about using an injectable for about a year. I have previously been on Metformin and Xigduo (still taking these), after adding the Xigduo, my numbers actually went up. However, after adding the Bydureon, I have seen an amazing turnaround. My fasting glucose has been between 190-210, now it runs between 113-149, depending on what I have eaten the day before. Even better is that I am down about 14 pounds. I told my doctor that I wish I would have agreed sooner, but the medication wasn't available before then. I did have diarrhea in the first couple of weeks, but that has gone away. No nausea, but I am not nearly as hungry, and most importantly, I don't have cravings like before."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Byetta 10 mg for almost 1 month. I have lost 16 pounds already without really trying. The worst thing is feeling sick after you eat (I feel the worst about 1 1/2 hours after taking the shot). Some days are better. No constipation like some people reported, more loose stools than anything. I plan to stay on this medicine for a long time!"

• Ell...
• December 4, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Just had my second injection of Bydureon. First one went fine-just a little bit of nausea. The second one was two days ago. Last night I woke up sick as a dog with horrible vomiting and diarrhea. I've been ill for hours and am now missing work. That makes me unhappy. Guessing it's the Bydureon, but maybe a stomach virus. Will check in with my doctor today. Byetta I could not tolerate at all. I'm wondering if this one is the same."

• eve...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Bydureon for 3 months now and have found it to be effective at lowering my blood sugar and decreasing my appetite. The side effects, however, have caused me to discontinue using it per my doctor's instructions. I have been experiencing symptoms likened to having a stomach virus, bloated stomach, nausea, and diarrhea, about every third to fourth week of the month. The effects are bad enough that I have had to miss work. I haven't experienced any knots at the injection site, but my goodness, that's a large needle that has to be used!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been taking this about 3 months. I’ve had some mild side effects, but nothing unmanageable - a bit of itching (I chose to do inner thigh), mild constipation, mild diarrhea. My A1C was 10 - I started checking blood sugar twice daily, and it’s dropped from a high of 230 to an average of 111. I’ll get another A1C next month and hoping it confirms significant improvement. Also on Metformin and Farxiga - have had type 2 about 10 yrs - I let my diet get out of control and my A1C skyrocket. Now on this medication and cut out most bad carbs - it’s made a huge difference, and I feel so much better. I’ve lost about 12 lbs without trying. In terms of cost, got a manufacturer's coupon so it is free — good luck - I’m sticking with it."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Bydureon, one shot a week, for 12 weeks. All seemed to be going well until the past two weeks when I have experienced sulfa burps (rotten egg smell, gas, and diarrhea). I never know when it will hit. It usually lasts two or three days (and nights, so I'm lacking sleep), then I have a few good days before it starts all over again. I have lost some weight, and my blood sugars are down, sometimes too low. But, I am wondering if these bouts of burps, gas, and diarrhea are worth it."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "This is my second post. I took the once weekly shot for 12 weeks. At week 9, I started having diarrhea. The 'get to the bathroom fast' kind. Also had sulfur burps. I did not take the 13th shot when it was due 4 days ago, per Dr.'s order, to see if diarrhea would stop. It hasn't. How long does this stay in your system? I wish I had never started this medication."

• eGG...
• September 6, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been injecting once a week for two months. I have suffered disgusting belching, lack of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting. I am fortunate to be working, but I am off sick again because I cannot venture outside of the house because of liquid pouring out of both ends!! When I vomited this morning, a lump of gunk surfaced, which I think was the coagulated Bydureon. I am not willing to take this awful drug again. The side effects do not outweigh benefits."

• Jef...
• April 3, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm on my 8th week, and although I have tried to persist with this injection, I'm really struggling with trapped wind and the runs. I can live with feeling sick and the size of the needle for a once-a-week injection, but I'm struggling with the bloating and egg smell of passing wind. I haven't had the dose this week, and I'm feeling slightly better, but my stomach is still not right. I had the same reaction with Victoza. I reckon the Byetta injection twice a day has been my best experience."

• Fre...
• May 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took my second injection this morning. I have thus far no issue with injection. I do not have a lump like most people seem to have. Injection goes well and easy for me. My first side effects after the first injection came on day 2. I had terrible nausea for about 1 hour, then it went away. I had diarrhea off and on all week and occasional nausea that didn't last long. I'm hoping I'll adjust to the med and those side effects go away. I did notice a slight decrease in my appetite. I also noticed if I ate too much, I would get sick. No weight loss to report yet, but in the first week of injection, I noticed a big improvement in my blood sugars. Fasting blood sugar was normally 215, it is now in the 180s. I'm hoping for more improvement over time."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor discontinued my Bydureon. I was taking it for six weeks with only slight nausea and small bumps at the injection site. But when I took my sixth injection, I wound up in the hospital with vomiting and diarrhea. I couldn't keep anything down, and I spent the weekend in the hospital as they flushed my system. Some people tolerate it, some don't. Obviously, I was in the later category."

• Akm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Bydureon coming on three weeks, I just gave my third week shot today! The first week, about five days in, I got violently ill: abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea. Contacted my doctor, but he really thought that it was the stomach virus, so he asked me to take it for one more week. Second week, I had some light nausea, but all went well. Just took my third shot this morning, and I don't know if I did anything wrong, but it burned going in, and now there's a lump on my thigh the size of a pea."

• cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "My second time on Bydureon Bcise. After 3 boxes, 12 weeks, although I had tolerable stomach problems before, these turned into full-blown nausea and diarrhea that has now lasted 4 days. It keeps blood sugar under control with no added medications, but I can't get more than 5 feet from the toilet. It's debilitating at this point. If I take Imodium AD, it does stop diarrhea, but promotes the nausea. Trying to keep from getting dehydrated as all I pass is water in the diarrhea. Trying to get this out of my system. I will not take another injection. Do not know what I will do. This med hits you unexpectedly. Don't know when it will make you sick. This is my second try with this med. Trulicity doesn't work nor anything else for that matter. This med works for blood sugar, but I'm horribly sick."

• Hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was prescribed Bydureon injections. After the 1st injection, I couldn't eat, I kept vomiting, running with diarrhea, and had a massive headache. Each week the symptoms got worse. By the 4th week, I was in the hospital in a coma due to a reaction. Now, 7 months later, I had to have a thyroid biopsy because a nodule has formed. Thyroid cancer is a major side effect of Bydureon injections."

• 240...
• December 18, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I eat right after I take Byetta, and if I stay away from the fatty, greasy food, I do not have any problems with loose stools. I love the fact my HUGE hunger is now GONE! I lost about 8 lbs, but gained only one pound back after Thanksgiving."