Exenatide: Review of its Role as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Exenatide was the first glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist approved for treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. Clinical trials and real-world studies of exenatide, a subcutaneous injection given twice per day, indicate that it significantly reduces hemoglobin A1c values and weight with a low risk of hypoglycemia. Exenatide is generally well tolerated, but transient nausea and vomiting are commonly occurring side effects. Given this profile, exenatide has been shown to be cost effective relative to insulin glargine. Thus, exenatide is a treatment option that should be considered for patients with type 2 diabetes that is uncontrolled on one or more oral agents and for which additional weight gain and hypoglycemia are undesirable.