Exenatide Side Effects: Before we take up Exenatide Side Effects, let’s take a look at what exenatide is all about.
Exenatide is given to type-2 diabetic patients to control their blood sugar levels. It’s given as an injection with proper exercise and diet.
Please note that if you are suffering from type-2 diabetes, you are required to control it to prevent symptoms like loss of limbs, nerve problems, blindness, kidney damage along with sexual health issues.
Proper control of your diabetes is also necessary to prevent the risk of other symptoms like stroke or heart attack. Exenatide is categorized as a diabetic drug which is quite similar to a natural hormone in your body like incretin.
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Why Exenatide prescribed?
Exenatide is administered to treat type-2 diabetes which is given along with proper diet and exercises. Type- diabetes is a condition where body doesn’t produce enough insulin due to which the blood sugar level increases. It’s a class of medication known as incretin mimetics.
Exenatide works by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin, especially when blood sugar levels are high. The role of insulin is to move sugar from blood to other body tissues to release energy.
Exenatide Side Effects
Exenatide side effects that are common include vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Some other side effects include headache, fidgeting, dyspepsia (indigestion) and dizziness.
Exenatide Side effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
As we listed some general Exenatide side effects, there are some adverse side effects that require immediate medical attention. And so, you need to check with your doctor if any of the below given side effects are seen:
- Yellow eyes or skin
- Wrinkled skin
- Vomiting
- Swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
- Sunken eyes
- Headache
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Seizures
- Severe sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Bloated or feeling of fullness
- Constipation
- Decreased awareness or responsiveness
- Decreased urination
- Depression
- Increase in heart rate
- Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids
- Rapid weight gain
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Lightheadedness
- Indigestion
- Dark urine
- Hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
- Chest tightness
- Confusion
- Cough
- Thirst
- Nausea
- Pains in stomach, or abdomen
- Chills
You need to seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms of Exenatide overdose occur:
- Anxiety
- blurred vision
- Cold sweats
- Cool, pale skin
- Increased hunger
- Nervousness
- Nightmares
- Severe vomiting
- Shakiness
- Slurred
Exenatide Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention
There are some other exenatide side effects that don’t actually require seeking medical attention.
It’s because these side effects generally fade away during treatment, especially when your body starts adjusting to the medicine.
You can also consult with your health care professional regarding any query on Exenatide. Also consult him if any of the below given Exenatide side effects continue to appear:
- Belching
- Diarrhea
- Feeling jittery
- Heartburn
- Stomach discomfort or upset
- Decreased appetite
- Increased sweating
- Lack or loss of strength
Take a look at the below incidences of Exenatide that are unknown:
- Change in taste
- Excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
- Hair loss, thinning of hair
- Loss of taste
- Passing gas
- Pressure in the stomach
- Rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
- Redness of the skin
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- Swelling of the stomach area
Exenatide side effects (for Healthcare Professionals)
In addition to the exenatide side effects, there are some measures that need to be taken care by healthcare professionals.
It applies to exenatide subcutaneous powder for injection purpose. It can be used as subcutaneous suspension, subcutaneous solution along with injection extended release.
Exenatide side effects (General)
There are some most commonly reported exenatide side effects including injection site nodules formation, injection site pruritus, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
Hypersensitivity
As per some post marketing reports, these include angioedema, anaphylactic reaction, macular or popular rash and/or urticaria.
Immunologic
It leads to the formation of anti-exenatide antibodies.
Metabolic
Very common: Hypoglycemia (up to 19%)
Common: hypokalemia, anorexia, rapid weight loss (greater than 3.3 lbs/1.5 kg a week), Decreased appetite and more.
Rare: vomiting and/or diarrhea, nausea, Dehydration
Renal
Common: Urinary tract infection
Post marketing reports: Some side effects are noted like altered renal failure, renal impairment, increased serum creatinine production, kidney transplant dysfunction and others.
Local Side Effects of Exenatide
Very common: Injection-site reactions
Common: These include injection site erythema, pruritus, pain
At the time of various clinical trials of Exenatide, injection site formation of nodule happened to be the most common side effect of this medication.
In addition to the above, injection site erythema and pruritus were reported among 3% patients.
Gastrointestinal
Very common: vomiting (19%), diarrhea (13%), Nausea (34%)
Uncommon: Intestinal obstruction (0.1-1%)
Common: gastroenteritis, viral gastroenteritis,
Very rare: Gut ischemia, ischemic colitis, Ileus
Cardiovascular
Very common: Increased heart rate (up to 16%)
Common: Hypertension (1-10%)
One of the Exenatide side effects include increased heart rate which can happen at rate of over 4 heart beats per minute
Dermatologic
Common: Hyperhidrosis (1-10%)
Rare: Alopecia
Genitourinary
Common: Erectile dysfunction(1-10%)
Musculoskeletal
Common: muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, pain in extremity, arthralgia, back pain, joint pain
Nervous System
Common: diabetic neuropathy, dizziness, Headache
Uncommon: Dysgeusia
Rare: Somnolence
Psychiatric
Common: anxiety, insomnia, Depression
Respiratory
Very common: upper respiratory tract infection, Nasopharyngitis
Common: Oropharyngeal pain, cough, influenza, Sinusitis
Other
Common: Feeling jittery, asthenia, fatigue
Hematologic
Rare: There are cases where it has shown increased INR with concomitant warfarin therapy which can be associated with bleeding
Also Read: Are Sinus Infections Contagious?
