Use of Byetta for Weight Loss

Byetta, a prescription medication manufactured by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc, was approved in 2005 to help control blood sugar in diabetics. It is not approved for weight loss in patients who are not diabetic, and works most effectively when taken in conjunction with another diabetes medication known to speed weight loss, metformin (also known as Glucophage). There has been much speculation about marketing the drug for weight loss, but Amylin Pharmaceuticals and parent company Eli Lilly have announced no plans to do so.

How Byetta Works

Researchers are not exactly clear on how Byetta affects weight loss. The prevailing theory is that because it slows digestion, people taking Byetta maintain a feeling of fullness for a longer period of time and as a result, eat less. Byetta's intended function is to mimic incretin, a hormone that signals the pancreas to produce the proper amount of insulin to prevent spikes in glucose levels, stops the liver from producing too much glucose and slows down digestion. Weight loss is an untested side effect.

How Byetta is Administered

Byetta is a prescription drug approved for diabetic use only. It is packaged in pre-measured dosages and delivered by self-injection into fatty areas of the body. It does not require refrigeration after the first use because it is sustainable at room temperature for longer than the dosage period, but it should be refrigerated before first use. Needles are disposable; each one is used once and then discarded, following guidelines for legal medical waste disposal.

Weight Loss

On average, the weight loss stimulated by Byetta is modest at best. For people who severely overeat, it can be dramatic, but anyone already following a reasonable diet will see only a slight difference, if any.

Potential Dangers

Since no studies have been done on non-diabetics using Byetta for the purpose of weight loss, the short-term and long-term effects are unknown. It is possible to overdose on Byetta. Overdose symptoms include severe nausea and vomiting, and dangerously low blood sugar levels, characterized by cold sweats, shakiness and blurry vision. Overdose rarely occurs in patients who are not taking other diabetic drugs along with Byetta.

The Bottom Line

There are several reasons for a diabetic patient to take Byetta on a doctor's advice, but it is not a magic formula for weight loss. In most patients, weight loss is minimal. Use of Byetta for weight loss alone is untested and unapproved by the FDA.