Exciting New First-in-Class Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes Now Available @ (NAPSA}—David Anderson’s days usedto befilled with worry over his type 2 diabetes. Unable to control his blood sugar with available medications and struggling to control his weight, Anderson wondered what the future of his diabetes care would hold for him. However,all of that changed when he began taking the new diabetes drug, BYETTA”™(exenatide) ability of this drug is a remarkable advancement for the diabetes medical community,” she said. Since starting his new regimen, Anderson, who has lived with diabetes for more than twenty years, says he feels “in charge” again. “I no longer have to revolve everything around when and what I eat. Not only is my blood sugar BYETTAis first in a new class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes called incretin mimetics. to lose weight,” he said. Administered as a fixed dose injection before morning and evening meals, this medication is available in pharmacies in both 5 and 10 microgram pre-filled pens.It is indicated for patients who are not already using insulin. BYETTAis taken along with several common diabetes pills (metformin, a sulfonylurea, or both) and is for those who have not been able to lower their blood sugar to acceptable levels on oral medications alone. Diabetes affects an estimated 194 million people worldwide and injection. An incretin mimetic works to imi- tate the anti-diabetic or glucoselowering actions of naturally occurring human hormones called incretins. By mimickingthis natural mechanism, the drugis selfregulating and works only when blood sugar levels are too high. In clinical trials this medication was shown to help patients regulate blood sugar levels. In thosetrials, most patients also experienced weightloss. Dr. Carol Wysham, Clinical Endocrinologist at Rockwood Clinic in Spokane, Washington, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Washington, says that Anderson is just one example of the millions of people who struggle to control their diabetes. “For a disease where more than two-thirds of the patients aren’t achievingtheir target blood sugar levels, the avail- under control, but I’ve been able more than 18 million in the United States. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States, although experts agree that the number of deaths caused by diabetes is underestimated. BYETTA wasapproved by the FDA on April 28 and became available to patients on June 1. For more information visit www.BYETTA.com. Note To Editors: Important Safety Information for BYETTA”(exenatide) injection BYETTA”(exenatide) injection improves blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are taking metformin, a sulfonylurea, or both. BYETTAis not a substitute for insulin in patients whose diabetes requires insulin treatment. BYETTAis not recommended for use in patients with problems digesting food, those who have severe disease of the stomach or kidney, are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. BYETTAhas not been studied in children. When BYETTAis used with a medicine that contains a sulfonylurea, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a possible side effect. To reduce this possibility, the dose of sulfonylurea medicine may need to be reduced while using BYETTA. Other common side effects with BYETTA include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, feeling jittery, and acid stomach. Nausea is most common whenfirst starting BYETTA, but decreases over time in most patients. BYETTA may reduce appetite, the amountof food eaten, and body weight. No changes in dose are needed for these side effects. These are not all the side effects with BYETTA.A health care provider should be consulted about any side effect that is bothersome or does not go away. For complete safety profile and other important prescribing considerations, visit www.BYETTA.com.
