Bydureon BCise is a brand-name medication prescribed for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, approved for use in adults and children ages 10 years and older, in certain situations, alongside diet and exercise. It contains the active drug extended-release exenatide, belonging to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class.
Drug Details
Bydureon BCise is available as a liquid suspension given by subcutaneous injection using an autoinjector. It requires a prescription and is not available in a generic form. The drug Bydureon has been discontinued since 2021, making Bydureon BCise the only available form of extended-release exenatide. A regular-release form of exenatide is available as the brand-name drug Byetta.
Side Effects
Bydureon BCise can cause both mild and serious side effects. It’s important to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for comprehensive information and guidance on managing any side effects.
Mild and More Common Side Effects
Mild side effects of Bydureon BCise can include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, decreased appetite, and injection site reactions such as redness or discoloration, itchiness, or a lump under the skin. In clinical trials, nausea, especially during the first few weeks of treatment, and injection site reactions that caused a lump under the skin were common. Some of these side effects may subside within a few days or weeks. However, if they persist or worsen, seeking medical advice is recommended.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects from Bydureon BCise are not common, but they can occur. It's crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects. These can include pancreatitis (symptoms may include pain in your abdomen or back, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal swelling), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, symptoms may include headache, confusion, weakness, hunger, irritability, sweating, feeling jittery, fast heartbeat), kidney damage (symptoms may include reduced urination, swelling in your legs or ankles, confusion, fatigue, nausea), low platelet level (symptoms may include heavy or long lasting bleeding, bruising or purple spots on your skin, tiredness, blood in your urine), gallbladder problems, such as gallstones or gallbladder inflammation (symptoms may include sudden pain on the right side of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, abdominal bloating or tenderness, sweating), risk of thyroid cancer, and severe allergic reaction.
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Allergic Reaction
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after using Bydureon BCise. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include skin rash, itchiness, and flushing. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible, with symptoms such as swelling under your skin (typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet), swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, and trouble breathing.
Dosage
The typical dosage of Bydureon BCise is 2 mg once per week, taken on the same day each week. The dose should be injected subcutaneously using an autoinjector into either your abdomen, your thigh, or the back of your upper arm. Each autoinjector is for single use only. Bydureon BCise can be injected at any time of day, with or without food. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered, as long as the next dose isn’t due for at least 3 days. Never take two doses at the same time to catch up.
How to Inject
To inject Bydureon BCise, push the autoinjector against your skin, and it will automatically inject your dose. The medication should be injected into either your abdomen, your thigh, or the back of your upper arm. Each autoinjector is used to give just one dose of Bydureon BCise. It’s important to rotate your injection site with every dose. You can use the same area for more than one dose in a row, but you should change the exact spot where you give your injection.
Bydureon BCise for Type 2 Diabetes
Bydureon BCise is approved to help manage blood sugar levels with type 2 diabetes, along with changes in diet and exercise. It’s approved for use in adults and children ages 10 years and older. However, it should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes, as a first treatment option for type 2 diabetes that can’t be managed with diet and exercise, with other forms of exenatide, or in people with a history of pancreatitis, unless recommended by your doctor. Bydureon BCise may be prescribed by itself or with other drugs for type 2 diabetes, such as canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol XL), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo), metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet), and pioglitazone (Actos).
Alternatives to Bydureon BCise
Other drugs are available that can treat type 2 diabetes. Some may be a better fit for you than others. Alternatives to Bydureon BCise include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as dulaglutide (Trulicity), exenatide (Byetta), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, such as canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), empagliflozin (Jardiance), ertugliflozin (Steglatro), metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet), which is a biguanide, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, such as linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin (Onglyza), sitagliptin (Januvia), thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone (Actos), and sulfonylureas, including glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol XL), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase).
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Bydureon BCise vs. Other Medications
Bydureon BCise has similar effects in the body to other medications prescribed for similar uses, such as Trulicity, Ozempic, and Victoza, and therefore may cause very similar side effects. All of these drugs have a boxed warning about a potential risk of thyroid cancer.
Bydureon BCise vs. Ozempic
Bydureon BCise and Ozempic are two brand-name medications prescribed for managing Type 2 diabetes in adults alongside diet and exercise. These treatments are part of a group of injectable drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. While the two medications may seem similar, they differ in their active ingredients, approved uses, potential costs, and side effects. Bydureon BCise is a brand-name drug manufactured by AstraZeneca containing the active ingredient exenatide. It comes as an extended-release pen that delivers a weekly dose under the skin (subcutaneously). More specifically, Bydureon BCise is a single-dose autoinjector pen with an attached needle. The medicine needs to be mixed vigorously before each use. Ozempic is a brand-name drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk that contains semaglutide. It is available as a multi-dose, prefilled pen that delivers a once-weekly injection subcutaneously. Unlike Bydureon BCise, Ozempic does not require shaking, as the medication is already mixed and ready to use. Still, using Ozempic requires more steps than Bydureon BCise, as a new needle must be attached before every use. Ozempic showed a greater reduction in levels of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) compared to Bydureon BCise, with patients experiencing a decrease of 1.5% on average with Ozempic versus a decrease of 0.9% with Bydureon BCise.
Interactions
Bydureon BCise can interact with several other medications. These include drugs that increase insulin, such as insulin degludec (Tresiba), insulin detemir (Levemir), insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), and metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet), and drugs that you take by mouth (take them at least 1 hour before you inject Bydureon BCise). Before taking Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take, as well as any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use.
Alcohol Interaction
Alcohol is not known to interact with Bydureon BCise. However, it’s recommended that you avoid drinking a lot of alcohol while taking Bydureon BCise, as alcohol can change your blood sugar levels and increase your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Cost and Availability
The cost of Bydureon BCise can vary depending on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. Financial and insurance assistance may be available.
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Bydureon BCise and Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Bydureon BCise should be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you can become pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Bydureon BCise and Weight Loss
Bydureon BCise is not approved for weight loss or weight management, but it’s possible that your doctor may prescribe it off-label for this use. In Bydureon BCise’s studies, people who took the drug lost a few pounds of weight, on average. It’s important to note that Bydureon BCise is prescribed with a balanced diet and exercise. So you may lose weight while taking Bydureon BCise for diabetes, but the drug shouldn’t be used for weight loss.
Important Safety Information
Boxed Warning
Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning regarding the risk of thyroid cancer. Animal studies have shown that Bydureon BCise treatment increased the risk of thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It’s not known whether this risk is also increased in humans. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bydureon BCise if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Other Warnings and Precautions
Bydureon BCise may not be the right treatment for your condition if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include Digestive problems, History of low platelet counts, Kidney problems, Pancreas problems, and Allergic reaction.
How Bydureon BCise Works
Bydureon BCise begins working as soon as you inject a dose, but it can take a few weeks before you notice changes in your blood sugar levels. It can take up to 10 weeks to reach its full effects.
Storage
Bydureon can be left unrefrigerated at room temperature for up to 4 weeks (28 days) as long as the temperature in the room does not exceed 86°F (30°C). Always store your Bydureon Bcise autoinjector flat in the refrigerator.