How and where is the Bydureon injection given?

Bydureon is available as a prefilled, injectable pen that is designed to be self-injected at home once a week. If you have trouble injecting the pen yourself, you could ask a family member, friend, a caregiver, or your health provider to do it for you.

Where do you inject Bydureon?

Bydureon is injected subcutaneously (this means just under the skin) and there are 3 main areas where Bydureon can be injected:

• The stomach area (your belly) except for a 2-inch circle around your navel (belly button)
• The top and outer part of your thighs, but not your inner thighs or anywhere close to your knee
• The outer back of your upper arm where there is a pocket of fatty tissue (this is usually easier if somebody else is injecting the pen for you).

To keep your skin from thickening or getting lumpy, try not to inject in the same spot. Instead, rotate injection sites.

Do not share your Bydureon pen with anyone. Each pen is for single use only.

How do you inject Bydureon?

• Firstly, take one Bydureon pen out of the refrigerator and rest it flat on a bench for 15 minutes. Do not try to speed up this process by warming it in any other way, like putting it in hot water or the microwave as this may destroy the pen or the medicine

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water and dry them with a clean towel. Open the tray by pulling up the corner tab to remove the pen and the needle. Check the expiration date, and if it has passed, do not use the pen, contact your pharmacist. Also, check the liquid inside the viewing window. It should be clear and free of particles. Do not use it if it is colored or has particles floating in it. Bubbles in the liquid are normal.

• Peel the paper tab off the needle cover and screw the needle onto the pen by pushing and twisting clockwise until it is tight. Do not take the cover off the needle yet.

• Next you need to combine the medicine and mix it. To do this, Hold the pen straight up with the needle pointing towards the ceiling. Slowly turn the knob and stop when you hear a click and the green label disappears.

• Mix the injection by holding the pen by the orange label and tapping it firmly against the palm of your hand. You may need to do this many times. After 10 taps, rotate the pen and repeat with the tapping until all the white medicine along the sides of the pen has been mixed in. If you hold the pen up to the light and look through both sides of the mixing window you should see no clumps and it should look uniformly cloudy.

• Bydureon needs to be mixed well to ensure you get your full dose. Keep tapping the pen for longer and more firmly until it is mixed well. After the medicine is mixed well you must inject it right away, do not save it for later use.

• Choose your injection site on your stomach (but not closer than 2 inches from your belly button); or the upper, outer, thigh; or back of your arm (this site is usually only used if somebody else is giving you the injection otherwise it is hard to reach). To keep your skin from thickening or getting lumpy, try not to inject in the same spot. Instead, choose a slightly different injection place, although you can still use the same general area. If you want to you can wipe the site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry.

• Holding the pen with the needle pointing straight upwards, turn the white knob until the orange label disappears and the injection button is released. Do not push the injection button yet.

• Pull the needle cover straight off and inject your Bydureon by pushing the needle into the skin and pressing down on the injection button until you hear a click. Keep holding the injection button down and count to 10 to get your full dose. Do not recap the needle but through the used pen in an FDA-approved sharps container. Each pen is for single use only.

• If you need any help, ring 1-800-236-9933 for help.

What is the difference between Bydureon and Bydureon BCise?

Bydureon BCise is a new formulation of Bydureon that does not require premixing. Bydureon BCise is an auto-injector that has a pre-attached hidden needle but contains the same active ingredient as the Bydureon pen.

Bydureon pen was discontinued in March 2021 and has been replaced by Bydureon Bcise Autoinjector Pen.

How long can a Bydureon pen last out of the refrigerator?

A Bydureon pen will last out of the refrigerator for 4 weeks at room temperature.