Effectiveness

The only condition both Bydureon and Ozempic is used to treat is Type 2 diabetes. In a clinical study comparing these medications, Ozempic reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) more than Bydureon did after 56 weeks of treatment. Ozempic also reduced body weight more than Bydureon did.

Costs

Bydureon and Ozempic are brand-name medications. They’re not available in generic forms, which typically cost less than brand-name forms.

Ozempic usually costs more than Bydureon. The exact amount you pay for either drug will depend on your insurance plan.

Bydureon and Alcohol

Avoid drinking too much alcohol while taking Bydureon. Alcohol can change your blood sugar levels and increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much drinking is safe for you.

Bydureon and other Diabetes Drugs

Bydureon can be used alone or combined with other medications to improve blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Two or more diabetes medications may be used together when one medication doesn’t improve blood sugar levels enough.

Examples of other diabetes drugs that may be used with Bydureon include:

Bydureon Interactions

Bydureon can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Bydureon and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Bydureon. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with Bydureon.

Before taking Bydureon, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs that increase insulin

Taking Bydureon with drugs that increase insulin levels in the body can cause very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). If you take Bydureon with these drugs, your doctor may need to lower your dosage of one or both drugs.

Examples of these drugs include:

  • insulin degludec (Tresiba)
  • insulin detemir (Levemir)
  • insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo)
  • glimepiride (Amaryl)
  • glipizide (Glucotrol)
  • glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase Prestabs)
  • metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet)

Drugs that are taken by mouth

Bydureon might decrease how well your body absorbs certain medications that are taken by mouth. If you take oral medications, take them at least one hour before you inject Bydureon.

Bydureon and herbs and supplements

Taking certain herbs or supplements with Bydureon might increase the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Examples of these include:

  • alpha-lipoic acid
  • banaba
  • bitter melon
  • chromium
  • gymnema
  • prickly pear cactus
  • white mulberry

Bydureon and Pregnancy

There are limited studies on this drug’s effects on human pregnancies. Animal studies show possible harm to a fetus. However, studies in animals don’t always predict how a drug might affect humans.

Bydureon should be only used if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Bydureon.

Bydureon and Breastfeeding

It isn’t known if Bydureon passes into breast milk. Before using Bydureon while breastfeeding, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Common questions about Bydureon

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Bydureon.

Does Bydureon need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Bydureon should be refrigerated until you are preparing to use it. If you’re using the pen injector, you should take it out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before you plan to use it. That will bring the solution to room temperature.

Bydureon can be stored at room temperature for up to four weeks if needed.

Bydureon shouldn’t be frozen. It can’t be used if it has been frozen.

What size needle do you use to inject Bydureon?

Bydureon uses a 23-gauge needle. The syringe’s needle is about 8 mm long, and the pen’s needle is about 7 mm long. The needles come with the syringe or pen.

Does the Bydureon injection hurt?

Bydureon injections may sting or feel like a pinch, but they’re not usually painful.

If you have pain that doesn’t go away after giving an injection, or if the pain is severe, talk with your doctor.

Bydureon Overdose

Taking too much of this medication can increase your risk of serious side effects.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose of Bydureon can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Bydureon Warnings

FDA warning: Thyroid cancer

  • This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • In animals, Bydureon can increase the risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. It’s not known if Bydureon has this effect in humans. You shouldn’t use Bydureon if you or an immediate family member has had thyroid cancer in the past, or if you have a rare form of cancer called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2.
  • If you’re taking Bydureon and have symptoms of a thyroid tumor, contact your doctor right away. Symptoms can include a mass or lump in your neck. They can also include trouble swallowing or breathing, and a hoarse voice.

Other warnings

Before taking Bydureon, talk with your doctor about your health history. Bydureon may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These conditions include:

  • Kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, using Bydureon may worsen your condition. If your condition worsens, you may need to stop taking Bydureon. If you have severe kidney disease, you may not be able to use Bydureon.
  • Gastrointestinal problems. If you have a condition that affects your stomach or intestines, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, Bydureon could make it worse. If your condition worsens, you may need to stop taking Bydureon.

Bydureon Storage and Expiration

Each Bydureon package has an expiration date listed on the label. Don’t use Bydureon if the date is beyond the expiration date listed on the label.

Bydureon should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until you’re going to use it. If you’re using the pen injector, you should take it out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before you plan to use it. That will bring it to room temperature.

Bydureon can be stored at room temperature for up to a total of four weeks if needed.

Bydureon should never be frozen. If Bydureon freezes, it can no longer be used.

Professional Information for Bydureon

The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals.

Mechanism of action

Bydureon is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It reduces blood glucose levels by increasing pancreatic insulin secretion in response to glucose levels. Bydureon also lowers blood glucose levels by decreasing inappropriate glucagon secretion and slowing gastric emptying.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism

Bydureon contains extended-release exenatide in the form of microspheres. After a single dose of Bydureon, exenatide is released from microspheres over a period of 10 weeks.

Surface-bound exenatide is released initially, followed by a more gradual release of exenatide in the microspheres. This results in two peak levels. The first occurs about two weeks following injection, and the second occurs six to seven weeks after the injection.

Bydureon is primarily eliminated renally.

Contraindications

Bydureon is contraindicated in those with:

  • a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2
  • a history of serious hypersensitivity reaction to exenatide

Storage

Bydureon should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until the time of use. Bydureon can be stored at room temperature for up to four weeks if needed. Bydureon shouldn’t be frozen. If Bydureon freezes, it can no longer be used.

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.