What is exenatide and what exactly does it mean for adults suffering with type II diabetes? Exenatide is a different type of treatment for your diabetes. It is an injectable medicine that is used to help control blood sugar level for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes. Exenatide can be used in a combination with other diabetes treatments such as metformin, sulfonylurea, or a thiazolidinedione. It needs to be noted that Exenatide is not a miracle medication; it is not a replacement for insulin for those who require insulin treatment. Exenatide comes in a prefilled pen for your convenience. No more worrying about syringes. The prefilled pen will last for 30 days and is injected into the appropriate areas making it a convenient form of effective medication.
Who is a good candidate for exenatide? Is there anything that needs to be mentioned to your doctor before you take this medication? If you are an adult that has type II diabetes then you might be a good candidate for exenatide. In order for your doctor to determine if you should begin taking exenatide you need to answer some important questions about your medical history. First, if you are allergic to exenatide then you probably won’t be able to take the medication. You need to talk to your doctor about all of your existing medical conditions such as problems with digestion, kidney disease, or if you are on dialysis. Also you need to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding. It is unknown if taking exenatide will harm the fetus or be passed through your breast milk, harming your child.
You should also discuss with your doctor any medications or supplements you are currently taking before starting exenatide. This is important because exenatide slows digestion which could become a problem for medcations that need to be absorbed quickly. Are there any side effects when taking exenatide? Like most medications, there are possible side effects that may occur when taking exenatide. If you are using exenatide in combination to a medication that does contain sulfonylurea, it may make you more susceptible to hypoglycemia. It’s important to know the symptoms that occur when hypoglycemic such as headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, and feeling jittery. If you begin to experience these symptoms you need to be sure to eat or drink some form of sugar.
Other side effects that may be experienced while taking exenatide are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, feeling jittery, and acid stomach. These are all common side effects, but usually when you first begin taking exenatide you feel nauseous. If any of these symptoms fail to diminish, then it is advised to contact your doctor and inform them of your condition. If you begin to experience more serious side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, call your doctor. You know your body, if something doesn’t feel right, be concerned and contact your doctor. It is normal while taking exenatide to have a reduction in appetite which in turn may affect your weight, this is normal and isn’t a main concern. With any diabetes medication it is highly important to combine it with a mixture of exercise and a healthy diet, all of these treatments used together can help you manage your blood sugar levels.
