This drug has been discontinued

  • Bydureon BCise was discontinued by its manufacturer AstraZeneca on October 28, 2024.
  • This drug is no longer available in the United States.
  • Discontinuation of Bydureon BCise was a business decision by AstraZeneca and not due to concerns about the drug’s safety or effectiveness.

Bydureon BCise was a prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and some children. It came as a suspension (a type of liquid mixture) that was given as an injection under the skin with an autoinjector pen.

The following is archived information about Bydureon BCise dosage and how to use the drug.

A generic drug called exenatide that has the same active ingredient as Bydureon BCise is available from a different manufacturer for treatment of type 2 diabetes. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

The information about Bydureon BCise dosage in this article also applies to generic exenatide injections unless otherwise noted.

For information about other alternatives to Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor.

The following information describes the dosage that is commonly used or recommended for Bydureon BCise. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.

Form

Bydureon BCise is available as a suspension (a type of liquid mixture) that comes in an autoinjector pen.

Strength

Each Bydureon BCise autoinjector pen contains 2 milligrams (mg) of exenatide in 0.85 milliliters of suspension. Each pen contains one dose. Do not use an autoinjector pen more than once.

Bydureon BCise is approved to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and certain children. The typical dosage for adults is 2 mg injected under the skin once every 7 days.

You can give yourself the dose with or without food in your stomach.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects from Bydureon BCise that may prevent you from taking your medication.

Bydureon BCise is approved for use in children ages 10 years and older.

The dosage for children is the same as it is for adults. Children should receive 2 mg of Bydureon BCise via injection under the skin with an autoinjector pen once every 7 days.

It isn’t known if Bydureon BCise is safe or effective in children younger than 10 years old. If you have a child younger than that with type 2 diabetes, talk with your doctor about the available treatment options.

Bydureon BCise is a liquid suspension that’s injected under your skin once per week via an autoinjector device. Before your first dose, your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to inject this medication.

Bydureon BCise is a liquid suspension needs to be properly mixed before it’s injected. Shake the autoinjector pen for at least 15 seconds, then check to make sure the liquid appears evenly mixed and is white to off-white in color. Once it is, you can inject the dose into your belly area, thigh, or upper arm. Be sure to use a different site each week to avoid injection area side effects.

If you have questions about how to use Bydureon BCise, see the drug’s prescribing information for illustrated instructions.

How long do you take Bydureon BCise?

Bydureon BCise is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Bydureon BCise is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Bydureon BCise, whether you should inject it as soon as you remember the missed dose depends on when you remember it.

If your next dose is due more than 3 days later, inject the missed dose immediately. Then start a new dosing schedule of once every 7 days based on the day you took the missed dose.

If it’s been more than 3 days, and your next dose is due within 1 or 2 days, skip the missed dose and continue your normal dosing schedule.

If you missed your dose of medication, and you are not sure when to inject your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to inject your doses of Bydureon BCise on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not use more Bydureon BCise than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Bydureon BCise overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose of Bydureon BCise can include:

What to do in case you use too much Bydureon BCise

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Bydureon BCise. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.