Exenatide and Nausea: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Had taken my 4th injection of Bydureon. No problems at the injection site, but after my 3rd injection, I began to feel sick all the time. No appetite at all, not even coffee. Had persistent bloating, heartburn, and a bad taste in my mouth. Stopped craving sweets and carbs. A1c went from 8.5 to 6.3 in 4 weeks. Blood sugars down from 166-180 to 120-125. Love the way this medication works, but can hardly tolerate the discomfort in my belly and nausea. Not sure if I can continue or not."

• Lyn...
• July 3, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Byetta since August last year and except for some nausea and slight constipation have found it to be a miracle for me. My sugar levels have improved and also have halved my blood pressure medication. Also my eyesight has improved greatly. I have lost 30kg and am feeling great. Thanks Byetta!"

• Eye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm in my fifth week taking injections. I've been on 2000mg metformin daily for 4 years but my A1C has been creeping up over the last year (7.3) and my fasting blood sugars (morning) had averaged around 160 and almost never registering below 150 and too often above 170. Over the last 4 weeks, my fasting sugars have steadily dropped. Last week they averaged 116 and this week they are averaging 107. I've experienced sporadic mild nausea and a reduced appetite (not as hungry as often and I fill up much faster). I'm not a fan of the injections but they're tolerable. I've not followed my weight (definitely not gaining) and we won't check my A1C for a couple more weeks."

• flu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 3, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with Byetta in September 2012 and used it until March 2013. My A1C went from 7.5 to 6.1 and my morning fasting blood sugar level went from the 160s to the 90s. I lost approximately 60 pounds. The main complaint was being sick to my stomach. It wasn't so much of a problem on the 5 dose but was really bad on the 10. I had planned to tough it out because the results were so good, but I mentioned it to my endocrinologist and she switched me to the once-a-week Bydureon (same drug but a slow release). It totally cleared up the side effects."

• 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."

• NWc...
• January 21, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm on week 4, and so far, so good. The first injection was done with my nurse and went smoothly. About 3 days later, I started to experience extreme nausea anytime I ate something, so I didn't eat much the first week. My blood sugar dropped from 300 to about 180. The second shot didn't go in as easily and kind of burned, but I wasn't as nauseous that next week. I had an idea that I probably did something wrong during that injection, and my blood sugars doubled that second week. The third shot I was really careful to pinch my fat and make sure it wasn't muscle, and that time went smoothly and didn't burn at all. In week 3, my blood sugar dropped to 105-140. I messed up week 4 again, and the shot burned, and this time I got a bump. I think it was too close to the last injection site."

• Mer...
• June 3, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Bydureon worked well helping my A1C level, 7.6 to 6.5. Also, sugar levels went from 120-140 fasting to 90-110. After meals, levels went from 180-220 to 140-160. I also lost 19 lbs in three months. After three months, the side effects became too much to handle. Nausea and vomiting were constant. Woke up one night so sick I could not keep anything down. Three hours later, ended up in the ER dehydrated. Have stopped taking Bydureon two weeks ago, but it still is in my system. Still nausea and upset stomach with a sour taste in mouth. Results were great. Just couldn't handle side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Bydureon for approx. 8 weeks now. My morning glucose has gone from 230 down to 105 now. I don't really feel any different with it lower, but it is probably helping my kidneys to perform better. As far as the larger needle, I started injecting in my thigh and barely feel it. At first, I was ravenous and was really surprised. Now sometimes I have to remind myself to eat and eat much smaller portions. I've lost 16 lbs., and I'm at the lowest weight I've been in 35 years. When I first started, I would feel nausea and throw up for no reason when my dose was wearing off. The doctor said she had never heard of that complaint before! My only complaint is that the medicine seems to stick to the vial, and I really have to beat on it!"

• 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."

• Deb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 16, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Byetta for 5 years. My A1C was 8 when I started Byetta and is now 5.6 for the past 4 years. I have been able to lose 63 pounds without any diet plan, just slowly lost this weight. I am now on half the dosage of other diabetic medications I am taking and reduced my blood pressure medications to 1/4 the dose. The only problem I have with Byetta is nausea while waiting to eat."

• 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."

• flu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 3, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Bydureon since March 2013. Started initially with Byetta in Sept. 2012 but had to make a switch because of nauseousness. Bydureon has been so much easier to deal with, and I haven't been nauseous. The differences I found were 1) I feel hungrier with Bydureon (not as much appetite suppression) so I just have to make sure I'm using good portion control; 2) I'm not losing weight as quickly as I did on Byetta. It could be that I'm reaching goal weight and it's harder to lose the last little bit. Current loss: 82 lbs. As far as BG numbers, I have gone from morning fasting numbers of 160s/170s before Byetta/Bydureon to 80s/90s now. I've also gone from 2000 mg metformin daily to 1000 mg daily."

• Ari...
• July 21, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "My experience has been great. I have lost about 20 pounds in 2 months. Side effects: just mild nausea if I don't eat, loss of appetite. Glucose levels of 107 in the mornings vs. 160. I do have the bumps on the injection sites. I chose my belly, but I think I need to change sites. I am really happy with the results and would not change it for anything else. I was having a really hard time losing weight before, and now it became really easy. My doctor also put me on a lactose-free diet, and it's working wonders for me. No more upset stomach or bloating."

• Typ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "On Bydureon about a year. I'm 57, been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for about 8 years. On insulin + Metformin. Doc prescribed this for me originally because I just couldn't get my A1C below 7.0 even though my daily numbers rarely climbed over 130 even right after eating. The Pros: A1C dropped into the low 4's and remains at that level. Lost 20 - 25 lbs and the weight has stayed off. Pen device is not difficult to set up and use once a week, takes about 5 minutes max to do the injection routine, and I've only had 1 instance total in a year's time of a pen not working properly. The Cons: HUGE needle that hurts. Bad nausea after injection and occasional itchy hard lumps at the injection site. One major B/sugar crash - low 50's."

• Tmi...
• January 1, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have taken 7 shots. My blood sugars have gone from 250 to 140 in the mornings waking up. I do have 2 knots just on each side of my navel. I have experienced nausea and feeling sick within 24 hours of the shot. I have lost 12 pounds. That's a lot considering I weighed 188 when I started and I'm at 176 now. I'm 6'2" tall, and losing that much weight kind of scares me. I feel a lot better taking the Bydureon, and I take 2000 mg metformin daily. This medicine has stabilized my sugar levels in 7 weeks."

• Hay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on the weekly injection after oral hypoglycemic tablets stopped controlling my blood sugar level (BSL). The effect was pretty much instant. Within two weeks, my BSL had normalized and I had lost weight. I am still on track and have lost 6 kgs in 3 months. Some tips from me: Take the injection out of the fridge at least 30 minutes prior to mixing and injecting, it mixes better and doesn't hurt to inject. Take an anti-nausea medication 30 minutes prior to the injection and take the injection at night before you go to bed. Eat small, regular meals 6 times a day with high fat (fat has no glycemic index), moderate protein (90 gm/day), and low carb ("

• Ene...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started my Byetta experience in August of 2012, wearing a size 18/20 and standing at 5'2". Before April of 2013, I was wearing a size 14. I was feeling good, looking good, and energized! I had nausea, but it didn't last; it took two weeks to go away. I experienced the thinning of my hair and hair loss with a different texture, so I stopped Byetta because that was a No No for me to lose my hair. When I stopped the Byetta, I gained more weight than I lost, but my hair grew back and the texture was never the same again. But I tell you this: I choose Byetta over hair loss; I just wear a short pretty hairstyle. On Byetta, my A1C has gone from 8.4 to 6.9!"

• Raw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "On Bydureon since January 2016. The most significant problem from the beginning are the small hard lumps at the injection site. It has improved since I first began. I find the plunger is difficult to press down firmly. Tap gently 20 times then 1/4 turn till 80 to mix. It's recommended to hold in place for 10 seconds. I put my foot on a low step stool to firmly keep a 45-degree angle from hip to knee. For months, no symptoms, only lumps. Now I'm here sharing my story because I'm suspicious it's responsible for these bouts with severe nausea with VERY LOUD STOMACH/GUT NOISES. I'm taking Metformin too. I've lost 53 pounds. Size 14 to 8. A1C pending. Can't confirm nausea, growling stomach, or belching are caused by it. Stopped ALL WHITE FOODS/MOST SUGAR. Need to know if I'm hurting myself to be continued."

• Kel...
• October 14, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Byetta has helped me lose 32 lbs in 63 days. I have kept my sugar levels in the 100 range since starting this medicine. I was 253 pounds at 5 feet 9 inches. Diabetes was not something I ever thought I would get, but my glucose numbers were in the 300 range, and fasting they were 250! The doctor put me on Byetta and Metformin. I will be honest, at first, I ate the same bad foods and was throwing up every time! Now, I keep my sugar grams to 22 grams a day and 110 grams of carbs. Once I controlled the sugar and carbs, the nausea stopped! You just need to retrain your brain! My eyes wanted to get lots of food, but I couldn't eat it after Byetta! Just know your body, and if it's too much, tell your doctor."

• cpr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "Just like another reader said, I could not get enough to eat the first two weeks on the medication. Now I'm nauseous all the time and having difficulty eating anything at all. I don't find the needle that big, but I do have bumps where I've injected. I'm hoping they go away. I'm also concerned about the thyroid issue-just praying all is well."

• 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."

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Byetta for 2 years, and it is fine, except the nausea in the morning after the injection, so my doctor told me to have it 15 minutes before my breakfast, and it works wonders. No more nausea. I also have it 15 minutes before dinner, also. My weight stays the same, as I am not overweight."

• tei...
• June 28, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Byetta for two years. It was a nightmare with a very bad ending. Perhaps it did control my sugars, as the A1C's were stable during this time, but the first 6 months was miserable with the constant nausea and vomiting. Sometimes in public places. The nausea was acute and non-manageable except to throw up and get it over with. That was slowly conquered and then wore off after my body got used to it. I became aware of the FDA reports that this drug can cause pancreatitis. I had my pancreatic enzymes checked, and my lipase had shot up to 2000 u/ml. The normal is around 200 u/ml. Had my doctor change me to Januvia. Okay now."

• Cer...
• July 27, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was prescribed Metformin 1000 mg twice a day and Glicazide 40 mg four times a day. I took this for four years but constantly had an upset stomach, and my blood sugar readings were always between 10 and 15 mmol/L, and I was gaining weight even though I eat healthy foods. I was then advised to take Actos 30 mg once a day instead of Glicazide. Although this helped initially, my readings were still high, and I was gaining weight. I then saw a diabetic consultant, and he suggested trying Bydureon 2 mg injections once a week. I have been on these for nine weeks now, and my readings are down to 5-6 mmol/L, and I have lost 1st 2 lbs and feel much better. I get occasional nausea. I have to pay for the injections, and they are expensive but well worth the money."