Exenatide is a generic prescription drug approved to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Exenatide comes as a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin.

To learn more about exenatide’s uses, see the “Uses for exenatide” section.

Exenatide basics

Exenatide is a generic medication. A brand-name version of the drug isn’t currently available.

Generic drugs are considered as safe and effective as the brand-name drug they’re based on, but they usually cost less.

Exenatide belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Exenatide is used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s used along with diet and exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition where the body does not use insulin properly or does not make enough of it. This leads to higher levels of blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes may cause symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision.

Exenatide works by mimicking the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). To learn more, see the “Frequently asked questions about exenatide” section.

Like most drugs, exenatide may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects exenatide may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of exenatide. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking exenatide and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that exenatide can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read exenatide’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of exenatide that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from exenatide can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from exenatide, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of exenatide that have been reported include:

Allergic reaction

For some people, exenatide can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t specifically reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue exenatide treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to exenatide, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

The following information describes dosages of exenatide that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Form and strengths

Exenatide comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. It’s available in prefilled injection pens that come in two strengths:

  • 5 micrograms (mcg) per dose in 1.2 milliliters (mL) of solution
  • 10 mcg per dose in 2.4 mL of solution

Recommended dosage

Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of exenatide that’s right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

For type 2 diabetes, exenatide is usually given as one injection twice a day. You’ll inject the drug within 1 hour before each of your two main meals, usually breakfast and dinner.

The typical starting dose is 5 mcg per injection. If needed, your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mcg per injection after about 1 month, depending on how your blood sugar responds.

For more details about your exenatide treatment plan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to use

Your doctor will explain how you should inject exenatide. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Exenatide is available as a liquid solution in prefilled injection pens. It’s given as an injection under the skin of your abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you or a caregiver how to give these injections at home.

If you have questions about how to use exenatide, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

About using exenatide

The following are some common questions about using exenatide.

  • Is there a best time of day to take exenatide? You’ll use exenatide twice a day, within 1 hour before each of your two main meals, usually breakfast and dinner.
  • What if I miss a dose of exenatide? If you miss a dose of exenatide before a meal, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose at its usual time.
  • Will I need to use exenatide long term? Exenatide is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
  • How long does exenatide take to work? Exenatide begins working right after you inject your first dose. But it may take a few weeks to notice changes in your blood sugar levels. If you have questions about when you can expect to see results with exenatide, talk with your doctor.

Overdose

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

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

  • severe nausea and vomiting
  • severely low blood sugar

What to do in case of overdose

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much exenatide. 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.

Exenatide can interact with several other medications. However, the drug isn’t known to interact with supplements or foods.

Before taking exenatide, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications

The following table highlights medications that can interact with exenatide. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with exenatide. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with exenatide• insulins, such as insulin degludec (Tresiba) and insulin glargine (Lantus, Basaglar, others)
• sulfonylureas, such as glimepiride and glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
• warfarin (Jantoven)
• any oral medication, including birth control pills and antibiotics

Exenatide and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with exenatide. Talk with your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol during exenatide treatment.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering exenatide. What you’ll pay for exenatide may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

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The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before starting exenatide treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether exenatide is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before using this drug.

This section describes the warnings and precautions for exenatide.

Before starting exenatide, discuss your health history with your doctor. This medication may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • kidney problems, including a past kidney transplant
  • stomach problems, such as gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying)
  • pancreas problems
  • gallbladder problems
  • planned medical procedure that uses general anesthesia or deep sedation
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of exenatide, see the “Side effects of exenatide” section.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about exenatide.

Is exenatide used off-label for weight loss?

Doctors may prescribe exenatide off-label for weight loss. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a different use than what it was approved for.)

Exenatide belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs can help slow digestion and decrease appetite, which may lead to weight loss. Other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide), are approved for weight loss.

If you’re interested in using exenatide for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the appropriate treatment options for you.

What is exenatide’s mechanism of action?

Exenatide belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Its mechanism of action (how the drug works) is to mimic GLP-1, which is a hormone that the body naturally makes.

GLP-1 helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. By mimicking GLP-1, exenatide can:

  • reduce the amount of sugar released by the liver
  • help the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high
  • slow digestion and decrease appetite

Together, these effects help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

If you have other questions about how exenatide works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does exenatide compare with semaglutide?

Exenatide and semaglutide are both GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work in similar ways in the body but have several important differences:

  • Uses: Exenatide is approved only for type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is approved for type 2 diabetes in certain forms (Ozempic and Rybelsus) and for weight management in another form (Wegovy). Semaglutide is also approved for certain heart-, kidney-, and liver-related conditions.
  • Forms: Exenatide comes as a liquid solution that you inject under the skin. Semaglutide is available as an injection (Ozempic and Wegovy) and as an oral tablet (Rybelsus).
  • Dosing: Exenatide is injected twice daily. Injectable semaglutide is typically used once a week, while the oral tablet form is taken once a day.
  • Side effects: Both drugs can cause digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Semaglutide also carries a boxed warning (the most serious warning from the FDA) for a possible increased risk of thyroid cancer.

To learn more about how exenatide and semaglutide compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you decide which treatment option is right for you.

Other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are available that can treat type 2 diabetes. (Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.) If you’d like to explore an alternative to exenatide, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to exenatide:

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.