Byetta also showed sustained improvements in blood glucose control and progressive weight loss through three and a half years of therapy.
People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for various cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure and cholesterol. In this study, 151 people with the condition were treated with Byetta in combination with common oral medications. Results showed an increase in HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol levels after three and a half years (24%) and a decrease in LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels (6%).
The companies said that the drug was generally well-tolerated in the study, and the side effects were consistent with those seen in previous studies. In clinical trials and post-approval adverse event reports, the most common side effect is mild-to-moderate nausea, which affects fewer than half of patients and usually decreases over time.
Byetta is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy for people with type 2 diabetes who are not achieving blood sugar control using metformin, a sulfonylurea, or a thiazolidinedione. Over three million prescriptions have been written in the US since the drug was first approved by the FDA in 2005.