Bydureon | (exenatide extended release)

Medication class: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Manufactured by: Bristol Myers Squibb
Approval date: January, 2012

What is Bydureon and how does it work

Bydureon Injection is an extended-release (once weekly injection) formulation of Byetta (exenatide). It belongs to a group of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists because they resemble and mimic the action of human GLP-1 hormone (incretin hormone). They are also called incretin mimetics. It is an injectable drug that reduces blood glucose by increasing insulin production by the pancreas, slows the absorption of glucose from the gut, reduces the activity of glucagon (a hormone that increases release of glucose from the liver), and reduces appetite.

What does Bydureon treat

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in conjunction with diet and exercise. It is not used for treating type-1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis and it should not be used in place of insulin when patients require insulin. It should also not be used as the first option in patients with type 2 diabetes whose blood glucose are not well controlled with diet and exercise.

How effective is Bydureon

• Bydureon 2 mg injected once weekly significantly reduced HbA1c better than Byetta 10 mcg twice daily after 24 weeks of treatment in patients whose blood glucose was not well controlled with diet and exercise, or with metformin, sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, or a combination of medications.
• Bydureon reduced HbA1c by an average of 1.6% while Byetta reduced HbA1c by 0.9%. More patients in the Bydureon group (58%) achieved an HbA1c less than 7%. Only 30% of Byetta treated patients achieved an HbA1c less than 7%.
• Bydureon reduced fasting blood glucose by an average of 25 mg/dl compared to a reduction of 5 mg/dl in the Byetta group.
• Weight loss was an average of 2.3 kg in the Bydureon group and 1.4 kg in the Byetta group.

What are interesting facts about Bydureon

• First FDA approved long acting incretin mimetic
• It is a long acting formulation of Byetta and is the only diabetes treatment that is given once-weekly.
• It was more effective than Byetta in a 24-week clinical study.
• Patients can develop antibodies which may reduce the effect of Bydureon.
• Bydureon may reduce appetite and causes weight loss.

What are the side effects of Bydureon

Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, acid reflux, reduced appetite, stomach discomfort, and injection site reactions. The risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is increased when combined with a sulfonylurea.

Serious: Pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, severely low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), kidney failure.

What is Bydureon dosage

Bydureon is available as a 2 mg vial of exenatide powder to be mixed with 0.65 ml diluent supplied in a pre-filled syringe. A Bydureon Pen is not currently available. 

The recommended dose is 2 mg injected under the skin (thigh, abdomen, or upper arm) once weekly without regard to meal times.

Bydureon drug interactions

• Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven): Bydureon may increase the effect of warfarin, leading to more bleeding.

• Bydureon slows movement of food and drugs through the intestines and therefore can reduce the absorption of oral drugs. Oral medications should be administered one hour before injecting Bydureon.

What is the price of Bydureon

Bydureon costs about $324 for a 4 week supply.

How to obtain prescription cost assistance for Bydureon

For prescription assistance visit:

MySavingsRx Card

BMS Patient Assistance Program

Reference: Bydureon FDA Prescribing Information and medication Guide.

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This medication summary is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.