Exenatide--an alternative to insulin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes?
Kjeldsen, R.; Sandbaek, A.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 170(39): 3039-3043
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1603-6824 PMID: 18822227 Document Number: 621731
The benefits and drawbacks of exenatide as an alternative to insulin in the treatment of poorly regulated type 2 diabetes are reviewed. Exenatide and insulin have equal effects on HbA1c but exenatide causes weight-loss and improved postprandial glucose control. Nausea is reported by nearly half of patients treated with exenatide. Exenatide can be considered in the overweight patient without extremely elevated HbA1c but nausea could pose a substantial hurdle for successful treatment.