Byetta
MED-000009
Byetta® (exenatide) was a twice-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and was the first-ever approved GLP-1 medication. Byetta was discontinued by AstraZeneca in October 2024, and the FDA formally withdrew its approval in September 2025. A generic exenatide product remains available.
Medication Overview
Generic Name:
Medication Class:
Manufacturer:
Route:
Dosing Frequency:
Exenatide
GLP-1
AstraZeneca
Injection
Twice Daily
Status:
Draft
Medication Summary
Byetta® (exenatide) was a twice-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and was the first-ever approved GLP-1 medication. Byetta was discontinued by AstraZeneca in October 2024, and the FDA formally withdrew its approval in September 2025. A generic exenatide product remains available.
Aliases
Byetta
Search Keywords
byetta, exenatide
Medication Uses
Part of the DietApp.com GLP-1 Medication Database, a comprehensive, regularly reviewed reference covering every GLP-1-class medication.
Byetta® (exenatide) was FDA-approved in 2005 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It was the first-ever approved GLP-1 receptor agonist, derived originally from a compound found in Gila monster venom.
Current status: Byetta was discontinued by AstraZeneca in October 2024, and the FDA formally withdrew its approval in September 2025 — not due to safety or efficacy concerns, but because the brand was no longer being marketed. A generic exenatide product from Amneal remains available. If you were previously prescribed Byetta, your provider has likely already discussed transitioning you to a current alternative such as dulaglutide, liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide.
Dosage
Byetta was dosed at 5 mcg injected twice daily within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meals, with an option to increase to 10 mcg twice daily after one month based on tolerability. This dosing is presented for historical reference only, since the brand is discontinued.
Administration
Byetta required injection within 60 minutes before two meals of the day, spaced at least 6 hours apart, as a subcutaneous injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Benefits
When used as prescribed, exenatide was shown to help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The EXSCEL cardiovascular outcomes trial (n=14,752) showed exenatide extended-release was non-inferior for cardiovascular safety, though it didn't demonstrate a clear benefit over placebo — a contributing factor to its being largely superseded by newer GLP-1 medications with demonstrated cardiovascular benefits.
Side Effects
The most frequently reported side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jitteriness, dizziness, headache, and injection-site reactions. Hypoglycemia was more common when combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Warnings
Exenatide carried warnings regarding pancreatitis and kidney problems. It was also the subject of legal claims alleging inadequate warning about pancreatic cancer risk; regulatory review did not establish a confirmed causal link.
Drug Interactions
Caution was needed when combining Byetta with insulin or sulfonylureas due to increased hypoglycemia risk, and with oral medications generally, since exenatide delays gastric emptying.
Storage
Byetta is discontinued and no longer manufactured; no current consumer storage guidance applies. If you have leftover Byetta, ask your pharmacist about proper disposal.
References
- FDA: Byetta approval withdrawal notice (September 2025)
- DailyMed prescribing information (historical)
- ASHP Drug Shortage Detail: Exenatide Injection
- EXSCEL Trial cardiovascular outcomes data
Last medically reviewed and updated: July 11, 2026.
Track Your Progress
If you've transitioned from Byetta to a newer GLP-1 medication, DietApp.com helps you track your new dose schedule, blood sugar patterns, symptoms, and treatment history in one place.
Related Resources
- Exenatide Medication Guide
- Trulicity Medication Guide
- Semaglutide Medication Guide
- GLP-1 Medication Library
- Medication Safety Information
Related Articles
- Is Byetta Still Available? What to Know in 2026
- GLP-1 Alternatives to Exenatide: What's Changed
- How GLP-1 Medications Support Blood Sugar Control
- Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1 Therapy
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