Exenatide and Vomiting: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been off and on Byetta for about 2 years. I had issues with vomiting and not being able to tolerate the 10 mg. Finally, I found the answer. My doctor said to take the injection, then wait 1 full hour to eat, and not to eat more than a very, very small portion of food. I have not had any upset stomach doing this. I thought it was because of what I ate, like salad dressing or greasy foods, but it was the amount of food that I ate that was making me sick. I haven't been sick this round of using the medicines, using this method, and feeling very full after just a few bites of food. Try limiting your food intake to relieve stomach upset."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took my sixth Bydureon injection yesterday. The great news is my morning BG levels have dropped dramatically, to the 100 range (after being in the 200s). Bad, however, I am debilitatingly nauseous 12 to 24 hours after injecting and 4x have thrown up at the 12-hour mark. I am not a fan of the pea-sized lumps at each injection area. The first from 6 weeks ago has not shrunk one iota. The three abdomen injections each itched considerably the first week. I switched to injecting the front of my legs, which do not itch. My vision, especially at computer monitor distance, is horrible, but I think that is due to the drop in my overall blood sugar. I am not sure if I can hang with the nausea and would like more info as to whether it will go away in time."

• pat...
• June 16, 2008

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on Byetta about 4 months ago. I have lost 45 lbs and have never felt better. My blood sugar readings have gone from 275 to 135 2 hours after a meal. I take the 5, the doctor tried to put me on 10, but I was vomiting after meals and had to go back to five. This drug has been a godsend for me."

• 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."

• Liz...
• April 25, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Bydureon for 15 months. Recently, I started experiencing nausea and vomiting after my weekly injections, so I am going to be switching to Trulicity. I really did well on Bydureon in the past. I lost 30 to 35 lbs total, and my A1Cs went down to 6-7. I've had tons of knots, but they usually go away in a couple of months. I'm hoping there will be less bleeding with Trulicity since it has a smaller needle and none of the mixing hassle. The only reason I don't give Bydureon a 10 rating is because of the mixing, knots, and bleeding."

• GA ...
• December 3, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I wanted to successfully use this medication to control my elevated blood glucose. Initially, it lowered my blood glucose, but with each weekly injection, a new side effect would present. Finally, after #9, vomiting started along with the other side effects. I asked my MD to please stop the medication. I wanted it to work, but I couldn’t tolerate it any longer."

• sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Bydureon in August. By the end of September, I was vomiting severely. I thought I had the flu. I always injected myself on Saturday, and within a half hour of injecting myself, I was vomiting. Two months later, and I'm still sick. I tried eating mashed potatoes today and threw them up. I see a gastroenterologist on Friday, but this medication made me so ill I can't do anything."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "My husband took his 7th injection of Bydureon in early June 2018. Within 24 hours, he became very ill. Extreme nausea and vomiting, dizziness, excessive heartburn, and burping. He also passed out without warning. It is now mid-September, and every 2-3 weeks, all those side effects are still there, just like flipping on a light switch. He will feel fine, and then all of a sudden, without warning, he can't function. The sickness is beyond extreme. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON HOW LONG THESE SIDE EFFECTS CAN LAST?"

• 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."

• Ksu...
• May 8, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've had 3 injections of Bydureon now, and after reading all the reviews, I feared I would have some of the side effects that have been described, such as nausea and vomiting, which I would not be able to tolerate. I am thrilled to say I've had NO side effects at this point, and my blood sugars have steadily been dropping. Not drastically fast, which may be the reason I've had no nausea, but the drop is noticeable. I'm very happy about that. I surely had hoped for help with weight loss like so many reviewers have said they have, but that hasn't happened yet. I have not noticed a diminished appetite, really. I try to walk 2 miles a day, which is no problem with the drug. I'm happy with Bydureon-just wish for help with weight!"

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Bydureon 15 weeks ago with an A1C of 9. Today it is 6.1. The beginning side effects were mild and tolerable, the injections are not painful at all. Those are the positive things. Unfortunately, this past week I have had extreme headaches, lethargy, abdominal pain, and nausea/vomiting. All of my lab tests are perfectly normal, my doctor wants me to continue the medication. My pharmacist wants me to stop. I cannot directly correlate how I feel with the medication, but I have no other logical explanation. If anyone has any information or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to everyone!!"

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Drug seems to work well. My A1C is under 7. I've been on it for several years in conjunction with Invokana. I have not had the nausea, vomiting, or other side effects that many have reported. My complaint is the delivery pen/needle itself. It's horrible. There is no way the patient can be getting the full dose. After you mix the powder and solution, several drops escape out of the needle. The directions say to leave the needle inserted in the skin for 10 seconds after injecting. When you pull the needle out, the medication leaks. And there are always droplets still coming out of the needle despite how much pressure I put on the plunger while injecting. Just a horribly designed delivery mechanism. But, on the bright side, the manufacturer covers my insurance co-pay, so this medication costs me nothing out of pocket."

• 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."

• Don...
• November 18, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Byetta in 2005, sugars were between 300-350. My weight was around 320, also. I had horrid nausea. I threw up a lot too. My sugars immediately dropped to normal, though. Now, looking back on it, I think I just ate all the wrong foods. I've been off and on Byetta over the years, depending on which insurance I have had. I just started it back up two days ago after going off last month to try Onglyza. My weight is now 213, by the way."

• 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."

• Cam...
• April 25, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "My husband has been on Bydureon for 8 weeks. He was due for his 9th injection on Sunday last week but fell really ill about 24 hours after his 8th injection. It's now been 8 days since he fell ill with nausea, burping, heartburn, and constipation, with the occasional vomiting. How long until he will start to feel some normality? He has now had 6 days off work, and all he does is sleep. HELP."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Added Bydureon to my usual metformin dose in June 2017. Had six months of persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increasing sensation of liver fullness/discomfort. (It looks like I'm one of the group described by the package insert, who develop significant adverse effects.) At the injection sites, developed firm nodules that each took 2-3 months to resolve and became itchier the longer I was on the medication. I lost about 10 lb and had great readouts on A1c, but couldn't bear to take Bydureon beyond December 2017. In my view, not a success therapeutically."

• T27...
• August 26, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on it for 8-9 weeks. The only side effect I have had outside the last two days is loss of appetite, which is wonderful for a binge eater like myself. You not only get full sooner, you almost feel sick. I don't mind, it reminds me I need to keep myself in check. Until the last two days, I have not had the nausea and vomiting others seem to have. I don't know why it decided to start. I vomited two days in a row now. Hope it doesn't continue, I otherwise love it."

• raj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "On insulin and Bydureon 2 mg. Been on it 8 months. Been okay, but last month severe vomiting, diarrhea. I don't eat for 2-4 days at all. Now, the smell of food gives me projectile vomiting. I stopped today."

• Mos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "This is my third week. I take the medication early Saturday mornings. A couple of hours later, I get sleepy and then start to feel really nauseous. On Sundays, I start to get tired and nauseated around 11 a.m. The rest of the week, I have on-and-off periods of nausea and have vomited a couple of times. I do feel like the periods of nausea are decreasing in duration and intensity. I hope that the side effects keep decreasing because I would really like to stay on the medication. My fasting sugars are anywhere from 110 to 130. This is a major drop for me!"