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| Exenatide is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugars helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and
sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Exenatide is similar to a natural hormone in your body (incretin). It works by causing insulin elease in response to high sugar
levels (such as after a meal) and decreasing the amount of sugar your liver makes. If you are also using insulin, give dulaglutide and insulin as separate injections. Do not mix them. You may inject these medications in the same area of the body, but the injection sites should not be next to each other.  Use of medication Inject this medication under the skin in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm as directed by your doctor, usually once every 7 days. It may be used with or without meals. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it every 7 days. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Carefully follow the medication treatment plan, meal plan, and exercise program your doctor has recommended. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Swelling/redness/itching at the injection site, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach upset may occur. Nausea usually lessens as you continue to use exenatide. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Exenatide has rarely caused a very serious (possibly fatal) disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of pancreatitis, including: severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting. Although exenatide by itself usually does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood sugar may occur if this drug is prescribed with other anti-diabetes medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the dose(s) of your other diabetic medication(s) needs to be lowered. Drinking large quantities of alcohol, not getting enough calories from food, or doing unusually heavy exercise may also lead to low blood sugar. Symptoms may include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, candy, or drinking a glass of fruit juice or non-diet soda. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, and fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. INTERACTIONS Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. A product that may interact with this drug is: warfarin. Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating, are unaffected by these drugs. Many drugs can affect your blood sugar levels, making it more difficult to control your blood sugar. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor about the results and of any symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your anti- diabetic medication, exercise program, or diet. | ||||