Compare Byetta vs. Levemir
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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.
Levemir (insulin detemir) is an effective, long-acting insulin that provides all-day sugar control, but there are similar medications that can be used instead.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 130 reviewsforLevemir
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.
- Insulin is the most effective blood sugar lowering medication, as it lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) up to 2 or 3%. When used correctly, it'll prevent the harmful effects of high blood sugar levels on your organs and blood vessels.
- Levemir (insulin detemir) is a long lasting insulin that provides consistent, all-day blood sugar control with less risk of low blood sugar.
- Doses can be easily adjusted to make a customized regimen that's tailored to your body's needs.
- Starting insulin early in the treatment of type 2 diabetes can maintain your body's insulin producing cells and slow down disease progression.
- Levemir (insulin detemir) can be used in people with liver or kidney problems.
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 Levemir (insulin detemir) by injection.
- You have to check your blood sugar regularly.
- There is a risk of low blood sugar episodes with use of Levemir (insulin detemir).
- Levemir (insulin detemir) can cause tiredness, moderate weight gain, and swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
- Injection
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$465.17
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
130 reviews so far
45%
saidit'sworth it
35%
saiditworked well
22%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Levemir (insulin detemir)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
5possible side effects
- Upper respiratory tract infection26%
- Headache23%
- Sore throat10%
- Flu-like symptoms8%
- Stomach pain6%
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)
- Life-threatening low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Insulin dose too high
- Use of other blood sugar lowering medicines
- Poor injection techniques
- Complications due to low potassium
- Use of other medicine that lower potassium
- Current electrolyte imbalance
- Severe allergic reactions
- Allergy to insulin