Bydureon BCise: Side effects and how to manage them Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Bydureon BCise side effects What you should knowMedically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA — Updated on August 12, 2022 OverviewBydureon BCise (exenatide extended release) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Bydureon BCise is approved for use in adults and children ages 10 years and older, along with a balanced diet and exercise. If you and your doctor agree that Bydureon BCise is working well for you, you’ll likely take the medication long term. Here are some fast facts about Bydureon BCise:Active ingredient: extended-release exenatideDrug class: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonistDrug form: single-dose auto-injector for subcutaneous injection* Like other drugs, Bydureon BCise can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Bydureon Bcise, see this article. * Bydureon used to come in vial and pen forms, but they’ve been discontinued. More common side effects of Bydureon BCise Bydureon BCise can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Bydureon BCise in clinical trials:reaction at the injection site*nauseaheadachediarrheavomiting * To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below. Mild side effects of Bydureon BCise Mild side effects can occur with Bydureon BCise. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bydureon BCise’s prescribing information. Mild side effects that have been reported with Bydureon BCise include:mild injection site reaction*nauseaheadachediarrheavomitingdizzinessconstipation These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Bydureon BCise and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch. * To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below. Serious side effects of Bydureon BCise Bydureon BCise may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Bydureon BCise’s prescribing information. If you develop serious side effects while taking Bydureon BCise, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. The risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with Bydureon BCise is rare unless you also take certain other medications for diabetes called sulfonylureas (such as glipizide) or use insulin in combination with Bydureon BCise. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest lowering the dose of your sulfonylurea or insulin if you are also prescribed Bydureon BCise. Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:Gallbladder problems. Symptoms can include:fevernausea and vomitingpain in the right or upper middle area of your abdomenjaundiceThrombocytopenia (low platelet level). Symptoms can include:blood in your urinebruising or purple spots on your skin that may not go awayfatigue or tirednessHypoglycemia. Symptoms can include:confusiondrowsinessheadachehungerirritabilitysweatingweaknessPancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas).*Kidney problems.*Serious reaction at the injection site.*Risk of thyroid cancer.*†Allergic reaction.*‡ * To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section below. † Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ‡ This side effect wasn’t reported during clinical trials of Bydureon Bcise, but has occurred since the drug became available. FAQs about the side effects of Bydureon BCise Bydureon BCise may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers. Does stopping Bydureon BCise treatment cause any side effects No, stopping Bydureon BCise treatment isn’t known to cause any side effects. With some drugs, stopping the medication can lead to certain side effects. These are known as withdrawal reactions. Withdrawal reactions haven’t been reported with stopping Bydureon BCise treatment. However, keep in mind that your blood sugar levels may increase over time if you stop taking Bydureon BCise. If you’re thinking about stopping treatment with Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the risks and benefits of stopping your use of this medication. They can also inform you about other treatment options for your condition. What are the side effects of the Bydureon pen The Bydureon pen is no longer available. It was discontinued by its manufacturer in 2021 as a business decision. It wasn’t because of concerns about the safety of the drug or how well it worked to manage blood sugar levels. The manufacturer recommends that people using Bydureon pens switch to Bydureon BCise once their remaining Bydureon pen prescription runs out. If you have questions about side effects and Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Does Bydureon BCise cause weight loss It’s possible to have weight loss from taking Bydureon BCise. Taking Bydureon BCise may lead to a small amount of weight loss. In clinical trials, people taking Bydureon BCise lost an average of about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) over 28 weeks. It’s important to note that Bydureon BCise is not approved for weight loss or treating obesity. Be sure to take this drug as prescribed by your doctor. If you have additional questions about your body weight and Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Side effect specifics Learn more about some of the side effects that Bydureon BCise may cause. Reaction at the injection site Some people may experience an injection site reaction during treatment with Bydureon BCise. These are side effects that can occur in the area where you inject Bydureon BCise. These were the most common side effects in the drug’s clinical trials. Injection site reactions with Bydureon can be mild or serious. Mild reactions are much more common than serious ones, which are very rare. Mild injection site reactions can include:bumps or nodules (lumps) under the skinitchingredness or discoloration Serious injection site reactions may include:cellulitis (a painful skin infection)skin necrosis (death of skin tissue)skin abscess (a bump within or below your skin’s surface) What you can do To reduce your risk of an injection site reaction, switch your injection site weekly with each injection. You should not use the same site for each injection. If you experience injection site reactions that bother you or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend ways to decrease your side effects of Bydureon BCise. Or your doctor may suggest that you switch to a different treatment. Kidney problems Although rare, treatment with Bydureon BCise can cause kidney problems. In clinical trials, kidney damage from treatment with Bydureon BCise occurred. Your risk of kidney damage is higher if you also take other medications that can cause kidney problems. Dehydration can also increase your risk of this side effect. Symptoms of kidney problems caused by Bydureon BCise can include:confusionfatiguenausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that don’t go awayswelling in your legs or anklesurinating less frequently than usual What you can do In many cases, kidney problems caused by Bydureon BCise are reversible with treatment and stopping the medication. Talk with your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of kidney problems. Before you start taking Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other medications you take, including any over-the-counter drugs or supplements. They can review your medication list to see if any will raise your risk of kidney problems if used with Bydureon BCise. They may recommend changes to your treatment plan to make sure Bydureon BCise is safe for you. Pancreatitis Treatment with Bydureon BCise can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas). This side effect was rare in clinical trials. Symptoms of pancreatitis can include:feversevere abdominal pain that doesn’t go away and may radiate to your backswollen abdomennausea and vomiting Bydureon BCise hasn’t been studied in people who have had pancreatitis in the past. It isn’t known whether having a history of pancreatitis increases your risk of having this side effect from Bydureon BCise. What you can do Talk with your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Bydureon BCise. If they find that you do have the condition, they’ll likely have you stop taking Bydureon BCise. You’ll usually need to have your pancreatitis treated in a hospital. Risk of thyroid cancer Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Bydureon BCise increased the risk of thyroid tumors in animal studies. It’s not known whether this risk is also higher in humans. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Bydureon BCise if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a rare form of cancer). Symptoms of a thyroid tumor can include:trouble swallowinghoarse voicea lump or swelling in your neckshortness of breath What you can do If you develop symptoms of thyroid tumor, contact your doctor. They will examine you to evaluate your symptoms. They may have you stop taking Bydureon BCise and can recommend other treatments for your condition. Allergic reaction As with most drugs, Bydureon BCise can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials, but has been reported since Bydureon BCise became available for use. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:skin rashitchingflushingswelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or handsswelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe What you can do For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Bydureon BCise. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Precautions for Bydureon BCise There are certain precautions for Bydureon BCise to consider before taking the drug. This medication also comes with a boxed warning. Boxed warning Risk of thyroid cancer Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above. Other precautions Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Bydureon BCise. This drug may not be the right treatment for your condition if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include: Digestive problems. Bydureon BCise can cause side effects related to digestion, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have digestive problems, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, Bydureon BCise may worsen your condition. The medication hasn’t been studied in people with severe digestive problems. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Bydureon BCise is safe for you. In addition, if you have gastroparesis, it’s not known whether Bydureon BCise is safe for you to take or if the drug would work for you. The drug hasn’t been studied in people with gastroparesis. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your type 2 diabetes if you have gastroparesis. History of low platelet counts. Bydureon BCise contains the active drug exenatide. If you have a history of low platelet counts after taking another medication containing exenatide, your doctor typically will not prescribe Bydureon BCise. A low platelet count is a side effect of Bydureon BCise. So having a low platelet count in the past while taking an exenatide-containing product can increase your risk of serious bleeding, which has resulted in death in rare cases. Talk with your doctor about which other treatments are better choices for you. Kidney problems. Although rare, treatment with Bydureon BCise can cause kidney problems.* If you have a problem with your kidneys (such as chronic kidney disease), you may be at higher risk of this side effect than usual. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Bydureon BCise If you have a severe kidney function problem. Talk with your doctor about whether Bydureon BCise is safe for you to take if you have a problem with your kidneys. Pancreas problems. Although rare, there have been reports of pancreatitis* (inflammation of your pancreas) in people treated with Bydureon BCise. The drug hasn’t been studied in people who have had pancreatitis in the past. So it’s not known whether a past episode of pancreatitis increases your risk of having it again if you take Bydureon BCise. Your doctor may decide another treatment is best if you’ve had pancreatitis in the past or have other pancreas problems. Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction* to Bydureon BCise or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Bydureon BCise. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. * To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section above. Alcohol and Bydureon BCise Drinking alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels. It can also raise your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It’s possible that drinking too much alcohol could affect how well Bydureon BCise works or could increase your risk of side effects. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe to consume with your diabetes treatment plan. Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Bydureon BCise Here’s some information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and Bydureon BCise. Pregnancy. Bydureon BCise should be injected while pregnant only if the drug’s benefits are greater than the possible risks. Animal studies showed potential harm to a fetus. However, studies in animals don’t always predict how a drug might affect humans. And it’s known that blood sugar levels that aren’t well managed can cause harm to a pregnant person or a fetus. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best diabetes treatment plan for you during your pregnancy. Breastfeeding. It’s not known if Bydureon BCise is safe to inject while breastfeeding. This is because it’s unknown whether the drug passes into breast milk or if it can cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of injecting Bydureon BCise while breastfeeding. When to talk with your doctor Treatment with Bydureon BCise can cause some side effects. These are usually mild when they do occur. Most mild side effects tend to go away on their own and don’t require medical attention. However, in rare cases, serious side effects are possible and may require treatment. If you’d like to learn more about Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug. Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:More information about Bydureon BCise. For details about other aspects of Bydureon BCise, refer to this article.Drug comparison. Learn how Bydureon BCise compares with the other drugs Trulicity, Ozempic, Byetta, and Victoza.Dosage. For information about the dosage of Bydureon BCise, see this article.A look at diabetes. For details about type 2 diabetes, see our diabetes hub. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Last medically reviewed on August 12, 2022DiabetesType 2Pharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA — Updated on August 12, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageIs type 2 diabetes genetic?Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD Several genes can cause type 2 diabetes, and lifestyle and environmental factors can trigger them to cause the condition. READ MOREType 2 diabetes in children: What you need to knowMedically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD This article looks at type 2 diabetes in children, its symptoms, diagnosis, causes, risk factors, treatment, complications, prevention, and outlook.READ MOREWhat to know about type 2 diabetes, COVID-19, and vaccinesMedically reviewed by Marina Basina, M.D. This article explores the risks that people with type 2 diabetes face regarding COVID-19, and whether COVID-19 vaccines are safe for them.READ MOREWhat to know about type 2 diabetes and alcoholMedically reviewed by Lisa Hodgson, RDN, CDN, CDE Alcohol consumption can lead to less predictable blood sugar levels, which can be a problem for people with type 2 diabetes. Learn more. READ MOREWhat to know about type 2 diabetes and weight lossMedically reviewed by Michelle L. Griffith, MD Type 2 diabetes may cause weight loss, and also weight gain. Learn more.READ MORE