Byetta and Nausea: What Users Say

• Lyn...
• July 3, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Byetta since August last year and except for some nausea and slight constipation have found it to be a miracle for me. My sugar levels have improved and also have halved my blood pressure medication. Also my eyesight has improved greatly. I have lost 30kg and am feeling great. Thanks Byetta!"

• flu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 3, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with Byetta in September 2012 and used it until March 2013. My A1C went from 7.5 to 6.1 and my morning fasting blood sugar level went from the 160s to the 90s. I lost approximately 60 pounds. The main complaint was being sick to my stomach. It wasn't so much of a problem on the 5 dose but was really bad on the 10. I had planned to tough it out because the results were so good, but I mentioned it to my endocrinologist and she switched me to the once-a-week Bydureon (same drug but a slow release). It totally cleared up the side effects."

• Tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I dropped a jean size. My close relatives say they have noticed some weight loss results. The nausea is awful when I eat unhealthy food. So I stick to my fruits, vegetables, and lean meat. I cut out bread, white rice, and other bad carbohydrates out of my diet. I only have half a cup serving of brown rice. For breakfast, I choose to eat fruits as I am a full-time university student, and I don't need to feel nauseated. For lunch, I have a small meal, then in the evening, I either eat fruits/veggies or nothing. I drink so much water... I am always thirsty lately. Again, the water seems to drain out the nausea and occasionally diarrhea from bad food choices. I will keep you updated on my journey! In all honesty, I feel so good now."

• Deb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 16, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Byetta for 5 years. My A1C was 8 when I started Byetta and is now 5.6 for the past 4 years. I have been able to lose 63 pounds without any diet plan, just slowly lost this weight. I am now on half the dosage of other diabetic medications I am taking and reduced my blood pressure medications to 1/4 the dose. The only problem I have with Byetta is nausea while waiting to eat."

• Ene...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started my Byetta experience in August of 2012, wearing a size 18/20 and standing at 5'2". Before April of 2013, I was wearing a size 14. I was feeling good, looking good, and energized! I had nausea, but it didn't last; it took two weeks to go away. I experienced the thinning of my hair and hair loss with a different texture, so I stopped Byetta because that was a No No for me to lose my hair. When I stopped the Byetta, I gained more weight than I lost, but my hair grew back and the texture was never the same again. But I tell you this: I choose Byetta over hair loss; I just wear a short pretty hairstyle. On Byetta, my A1C has gone from 8.4 to 6.9!"

• Kel...
• October 14, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Byetta has helped me lose 32 lbs in 63 days. I have kept my sugar levels in the 100 range since starting this medicine. I was 253 pounds at 5 feet 9 inches. Diabetes was not something I ever thought I would get, but my glucose numbers were in the 300 range, and fasting they were 250! The doctor put me on Byetta and Metformin. I will be honest, at first, I ate the same bad foods and was throwing up every time! Now, I keep my sugar grams to 22 grams a day and 110 grams of carbs. Once I controlled the sugar and carbs, the nausea stopped! You just need to retrain your brain! My eyes wanted to get lots of food, but I couldn't eat it after Byetta! Just know your body, and if it's too much, tell your doctor."

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Byetta for 2 years, and it is fine, except the nausea in the morning after the injection, so my doctor told me to have it 15 minutes before my breakfast, and it works wonders. No more nausea. I also have it 15 minutes before dinner, also. My weight stays the same, as I am not overweight."

• tei...
• June 28, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Byetta for two years. It was a nightmare with a very bad ending. Perhaps it did control my sugars, as the A1C's were stable during this time, but the first 6 months was miserable with the constant nausea and vomiting. Sometimes in public places. The nausea was acute and non-manageable except to throw up and get it over with. That was slowly conquered and then wore off after my body got used to it. I became aware of the FDA reports that this drug can cause pancreatitis. I had my pancreatic enzymes checked, and my lipase had shot up to 2000 u/ml. The normal is around 200 u/ml. Had my doctor change me to Januvia. Okay now."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "On 7/19/11, I had a routine A1C, and my doctor called me during the weekend to tell me to drink lots of water and stay away from sugar. My A1C was 11.0, and he was really worried. I started on Metformin 1000 mg a day and then 2000 mg a day. My blood sugar was still consistently in the mid-200s. They started me on Byetta mid-August. After getting used to the nausea, the 5 mcg dose was fine (started 8/4/2011). I switched to the 10 mcg dose one month and once again spent 3-4 weeks dealing with almost crippling nausea that not only made me sick but worsened my panic problems. I stuck through it, though, because I could see the changes in my blood sugar. Yesterday, 12/26/11, A1C is 5.5, and I have lost 25 lbs. Dr. gave me a high five!"

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Byetta for 3 months now. The weight loss is good, 10 lbs, and I haven't even exercised. I am on 10 mcg and still have some minimal lingering nausea. My blood sugars are doing great. The biggest side effect for me is that I never feel hungry, and this is amazing to me, since before I started taking Byetta, I had a constant feeling of hunger and ate everything in sight. Now, I have to make myself eat. I love Byetta."

• Anonymous
• April 21, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "The first week of Byetta 5 mcg dose, no side effects, 6-pound weight loss but high blood glucose numbers. My endocrinologist suggested I try going up to the 10 mcg dose. Nausea, gas, stomach upset, and constipation. I ended up in bed most afternoons. Numbers are now good, and I've lost another 4 pounds. Too much lifestyle impairment due to side effects, so I went back to the lower dose, still having stomach aches and constipation. I'm giving it time, but so far this has been an uncomfortable experience."

• mul...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 25, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was on the 5 mcg and increased to 10. Had the usual nausea and lost about ten pounds. A1c leveled out in the high 6's to low 7's. Got ugly last fall/winter and dropped another 35 lbs. BMI is now normal with 65 lbs lost from an initial 235 lb start. Have been having a problem with low (50's and 60's) sugars within 2 hrs of injection/eating. This started 3 months after the latest weight loss. I was forced to sugar load with glucose and fruits to counteract the Byetta and stopped it last week (just too dangerous). I am going to ask to be put on the time release and then adjust the Glucophage to try to get a stable dial in. Testing like a mad dog my fingers are a mess. If the time release doesn't cut it, I will try going back to 5 mcg."

• Gen...
• January 25, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was diagnosed in November 2008 and was started on 5 mg of Byetta. Being apprehensive, I searched out information on Byetta and found these reviews, which gave me the information and confidence that I needed. After a month, in December, my dose was increased to 10 mg. I have had no nausea or other side effects. My sugar levels have dropped and are entering the normal range. I lost 5 pounds in the first 2 weeks. I have not been on the scale since Dec 10, but my clothes are telling me that I will get good news when I go back to the doctor in February. Thanks to all for taking the time to share. It helped me very much."

• Ama...
• March 29, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Byetta 5 mg in January and then upped to 10 mg in February. I'm on my second month at 10 mg. Unfortunately, this drug has not worked for me. I will not continue after this month's pen is done. It did NOTHING for my blood sugar numbers. I'm also on Metformin and Glipizide. It did help control my appetite but only enough to lose about 8 lbs total. I also didn't really experience bad side effects. Some occasional nausea, mostly if I didn't eat within 40-60 min of injection. I sometimes wondered if I had too much belly fat for the medicine to work properly, but I'm not comfortable injecting my thigh or arm. I truly wanted this to work as wonderfully for me as it did for others. Sadly, it has not."

• dwe...
• October 14, 2008

For Type 2 Diabetes "Byetta is my lifesaver. It not only lowered my blood sugar levels but has helped me lose weight with only mild side effects (nausea). I have lost 28 pounds in three months, and my appetite is way less than it used to be. It is expensive, but as they say, you get what you pay for."

• pho...
• July 28, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Just started Byetta this week. No nausea! I am tired but only in the evening. I usually sleep 7 hours a night, and during this first week, I am sleeping 9 hours a night. I am eating far less and feeling completely satisfied. I am hopeful..."

• Fat...
• December 15, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Byetta in mid-October 5 mg at first. Moved on to 10 mg from mid-November. I almost finished that pen now, but I have had no nausea or any other side effects, no weight loss, no difference in my food intake, no diff in my sugar levels. #sad face."

• Don...
• November 18, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Byetta in 2005, sugars were between 300-350. My weight was around 320, also. I had horrid nausea. I threw up a lot too. My sugars immediately dropped to normal, though. Now, looking back on it, I think I just ate all the wrong foods. I've been off and on Byetta over the years, depending on which insurance I have had. I just started it back up two days ago after going off last month to try Onglyza. My weight is now 213, by the way."

• aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Byetta & Lantus for 3 months. I'm allergic to metformin. My blood glucose has been very high, 22.8 being the highest and average 12-13. Now the highest is 18.2, average 10-14, fasting morning readings 9-10, which is still very high. I'm ambivalent with my feelings of Byetta. I am disappointed as I really thought it would work brilliantly for me. I've always had nausea as the main side effect. Its severity varies, some days it's shocking, other days it dissipates with ginger tea, but it's never not been there! I have a review with my GP, which will up Byetta to 10 mcg, and then review with the endocrinologist in 2 months, where he might restart me on a brand new protocol, which might be a good thing as this clearly isn't working."

• spi...
• November 16, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Byetta 5 mg exactly 2 weeks ago. I've lost 5 lbs, and my blood glucose is in the 80's every morning instead of the 170-200 range. I have experienced a little nausea in the morning, but it goes away after I eat. I go back to the doc after New Year and plan to ask him to keep me on 5 mg instead of 10 mg."

• JET...
• August 29, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I switched to Byetta just over a week ago from Novorapid insulin after some weight gain. From the start, I have had some nausea, but nothing I couldn't handle, and I can't eat as much as I always seem full, so I am starting to lose weight already, so that is a positive. The negatives are that my levels are too high, and this is causing my vision to be blurry, and it is making it difficult for me to drive. Also, in the morning, I feel really lethargic, which makes it difficult to concentrate at work. I have also noticed my skin feels dry, especially my lips. I am due to go back to my specialist after 4 weeks, but I am not sure if I will continue. I am currently on Byetta 5 mcg morning and night and Lantus 20 units plus Metformin 1000 twice a day."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I used Byetta just to lose weight in 2012. I lost 24 lbs then and really loved my size. After losing the weight, since I wasn't diabetic, I got off of it. So many months later, I started to gain the weight back. I decided to start back on it several times, but it didn't work with the weight loss. I'm back on it again for a month now, and I'm exercising with it, but hadn't dropped any weight. I'm on 10 mg. I don't have nausea, and when I did, it lasted only a couple of days. Anyone have any suggestions."

• mno...
• May 16, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Today was my first day on Byetta. I can't stand the nausea. Feel carsick, have a headache, and jittery. I am on 5 mcg hoping it gets better. I'm supposed to take my metformin and glyburide too, but sick. Not sure how I'm going to be able to work like this. If it doesn't get better in a day or two, I will talk to my Dr."

• aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Byetta 5 mcg and Lantus for 3 months. I've had constant nausea, which varies in severity. I haven't had a reduction of BGL; they are still quite high. I am not at all sure whether both meds have really worked for me over the past 3 months, and my diabetic educator thinks the same, and my endocrinologist will most likely change my meds altogether next review. In one week, I'm going on 10 mcg. I hope that it works but I'm not holding my breath. I've never had the brilliant results that others on here have had. The nausea has never gone away, but the earlier dizziness did. Although it hasn't worked for me, I believe that it's worth trying. I did have hopes that it would work for me. There are other meds, and I will get my BGLs in a normal range and lower my HbA1c."

• Deb...
• May 26, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started only two days now. I see numbers coming down from 16 to 8 last night, then 11 after fasting, so it's up and down. I feel tired and have no appetite, forcing myself to eat small meals. Let's talk again after a month. Nausea not unbearable. I realize I was feeling nausea before using Byetta anyways, so no real difference there. Feel shaky at times. Holding thumbs it works."