Compare Byetta vs. Actos

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

Actos (pioglitazone)

Prescription only

Lowers blood sugar.

Byetta (Exenatide) can lower your blood sugars in addition to metformin. It does not increase your appetite unlike some other anti-diabetics, but must be given by injection and usually causes upset stomach.

Lowers blood sugar.

Actos (pioglitazone) can improve blood sugar control but is not a top choice since it has a lot of side effects.

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3.1/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforActos

Upsides

Can lower your A1c (average blood sugar over time) by 1%.
Not as likely to cause very low blood sugar as glyburine or insulin.
Does not increase your appetite like other anti-diabetic medicines.
Pen is dialed to a single dose for easy injections.

Improves sugar control and lowers A1c levels by around 1%.
Easily taken by mouth as a once a day pill.
Prevents the harmful effects of high sugar levels on your organs.
Rarely causes low blood sugar.
Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Downsides

Byetta (Exenatide) must be injected twice a day. Other medicines like it can be injected once daily or even weekly.
It commonly causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or indigestion.
Can affect how well your antibiotics and birth control pills work. Take them no sooner than one hour after your injections.

May take several weeks to lower blood sugar.
Can cause weight gain.
People with heart failure or history of bladder cancer shouldn't use this medicine.
Some people might get fluid accumulation (edema), from minor ankle swelling to fluid in lungs that makes it hard to breathe.
Raises the risk of bone fractures, especially for people who already have a risk for fractures.

Used for