How to Use Byetta

The Byetta cartridge contains a clear barrel to inspect the drug, a dose window and an injection button.

Byetta, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005, was the first in a new class of treatments for type 2 diabetes. The injectable drug helps control blood-sugar levels by increasing insulin production, slowing the movement of food out of the stomach and stopping the liver from releasing glucose. Byetta comes in preloaded injection cartridges in doses of 5 mcg or 10 mcg and each cartridge holds a one-month supply of the drug, or 60 doses. Byetta is normally taken twice a day and should be injected no more than one hour before a meal.
Side effects of Byetta include vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache and nausea. Of these, nausea is the most common, according to three 30-week studies by the drug's manufacturer, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The studies found that 44 percent of patients in the trial experienced nausea. A more positive side effect is that Byetta can help patients lose weight, according to Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D. She writes, "In studies, Byetta not only improved blood sugar control but also led to weight loss...people taking Byetta may feel 'full' faster and longer, so they eat less."

Things You'll Need

• Byetta cartridge Pen needle Alcohol pad Puncture-proof container

Instructions

Preparing the Byetta Injection

1. Hold the cartridge with the dose window facing you and the injection button to your right. Pull off the blue cap covering the pen cartridge and check the liquid in the cartridge. It should be clear and colorless.

2. 

   Remove the outer paper tab from the needle casing but leave the cap on the needle.

3. 

   Push the needle onto the Byetta cartridge and then screw it clockwise until it is secure.

4. 

   Pull off the outer needle shield and set it aside. You will need it later to remove and dispose of the needle. Pull off the inner needle shield and throw it away.

5. 

   Check that an arrow (') is showing in the dose window. If it isn't, turn the dose knob clockwise until it stops and the arrow shows in the window.

6. Pull out the dose knob, located at the end of the cartridge, until it stops and an arrow pointing up (') shows in the dose window.

7. Turn the dose knob clockwise until it stops and the number 5 or 10 shows in the dose window. A 5 mcg pen will show a 5 and a 10 mcg pen will display a 10.

8. If this is the first time you are using the cartridge, test the pen. Hold the cartridge with the needle pointing away from you and depress the injection button while counting to five. If the cartridge is prepared correctly, drops of Byetta will come out of the needle.

Giving a Byetta Injection

1. Choose your injection site. Byetta can be injected in your thigh, abdomen or upper arm.

2. Wipe the injection site with an alcohol pad to disinfect it. Let the site dry before performing the injection or it will sting.

3. Hold the cartridge firmly in the palm of your hand and insert the needle into your skin at a right angle to your body.

4. Holding the cartridge at a right angle to your body, push the injection button with your thumb and slowly count to five.

5. Remove the needle from your body. A solid triangle (--) will be in the dose window showing that the injection was completed successfully.

After the Injection

1. Hold the cartridge with the dose window facing you and the injection button to your right.

2. Turn the dose knob clockwise until an arrow (') shows in the dose window.

3. Slide the outer needle shield back on the cartridge.

4. Unscrew the needle from the cartridge and dispose of it in a puncture-proof container.

Tips & Warnings

• Puncture-proof containers, also called sharps containers, can be purchased at most pharmacies and through online retailers. Cola, ginger and crackers help fight nausea.

• Byetta is a prescription drug and should be used under the direction of your health-care provider. To avoid contamination, never share your pen needle or cartridge with another person. If you don't remove the needle from the pen after the injection, the cartridge could leak or air bubbles could get into the pen. Remove the needle before storing the pen.

References

• Mayo Clinic
• National Institutes of Health

Resources

• American Diabetes Association