Compare Byetta vs. Humalog

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

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Byetta (Exenatide)

Prescription only

Humalog (insulin lispro)

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.

Humalog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin that controls blood sugar around meal times.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 280 reviewsforHumalog
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.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro) is the most effective medication for lowering your blood sugar.
  • Works quickly to control your sugar levels after meals.
  • Dose can be easily adjusted to create a regimen that's tailored to your body's needs.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro) can be used even if you have liver or kidney problems, unlike other anti-diabetic medications.
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.
  • You have to take Humalog (insulin lispro) by injection.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro) is likely to cause moderate weight gain (around 4 to 6 pounds).
  • There is a higher risk for episodes of low blood sugar compared to other anti-diabetic medications.
  • Effects do not last long enough to control your blood sugar for a whole day.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Injection
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$701.17
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Lowest price
$172.15
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Reviews
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280 reviews so far
64%
saidit'sworth it
50%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
3possible side effects
  • Nausea
    8%
  • Vomiting
    4%
  • Upset stomach
    3%
See more detailed side effects
The Humalog (insulin lispro) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
  • Life-threatening low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    • Insulin dose too high
    • Use of other blood sugar lowering medications
    • Poor injection techniques
  • Complications due to low potassium
    • Use of medications that lower potassium
    • Current electrolyte imbalance
  • Severe allergic reactions
    • Allergy to insulin
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Byetta (Exenatide)
Learn more about Humalog (insulin lispro)