Compare Byetta vs. Glucovance

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

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Byetta (Exenatide)

Prescription only

Glyburide / Metformin

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.

Glyburide / Metformin is an effective combination medicine for lowering blood sugar, but it is likely to cause diarrhea in the first few weeks.

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.
  • Glyburide / Metformin effectively lowers blood sugar levels more so than if each of the individual medicines it contains are taken alone.
  • Protects your organs and blood vessels from the harmful effects of high blood sugar levels.
  • Can potentially lower your "bad cholesterol" levels.
  • Glyburide / Metformin is available in a generic form and is cheaper than many other combination diabetes medicines.
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.
  • Has a higher risk than other diabetes medicine for causing blood sugar levels to be too low.
  • Glyburide / Metformin is likely to cause nausea, stomach upset, or diarrhea in the first few weeks.
  • Not a good treatment option for those with kidney and/or liver problems.
  • Drinking large amounts of or frequently using alcohol while taking Glyburide / Metformin can cause harm to your body.
  • Can cause some weight gain.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Injection
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$732.44
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Lowest price
$22.40
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Reviews
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Side effects
3possible side effects
  • Nausea
    8%
  • Vomiting
    4%
  • Upset stomach
    3%
See more detailed side effects
6possible side effects
  • Upper respiratory infection
    17%
  • Diarrhea
    17%
  • Headache
    9%
  • Nausea/vomiting
    8%
  • Stomach pain
    7%
  • Dizziness
    6%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Loss of medication effectiveness
  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney problems
    • Severe renal impairment
    • End-stage renal disease
  • Serious stomach problems
    • Severe gastrointestinal disease
    • Gastroparesis
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Lactic acid build up in blood
    • History of kidney problems
    • History of liver problems
    • Those with congestive heart failure
    • Using contrast dye for procedures
    • Undergoing surgery
    • Drinking large amounts or frequent use of alcohol
  • Serious heart problems
  • Low blood sugar
    • Skipping meals or having inconsistent meal times
    • Drinking alcohol
    • Using other blood sugar-lowering medicine
    • People age 60 or older
    • Those with kidney and/or liver problems
  • Severe allergic reaction
    • History of allergy to sulfa-containing medicine
  • Breakdown of red blood cells
    • People with G6PD deficiency
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Byetta (Exenatide)
Learn more about Glyburide / Metformin