Byetta and Victoza are two popular medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, typically in adult patients. Byetta and Victoza belong to a class of medications called incretin mimetics, which are commonly prescribed around the world. This guide will help you understand the key differences between these drugs.
What is Byetta?
Byetta (exenatide) is a diabetes medicine that, administered by injection, helps control the patient’s blood sugar levels. This product slows gastric emptying, enhances insulin secretion, and decreases glucose concentrations.
Byetta is often used in conjunction with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not suitable for treating patients with type 1 diabetes. It is not known if Byetta is safe and effective for children.
What is Victoza?
Victoza (liraglutide) is an injectable drug that is similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. This product helps control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion. Victoza is used in combination with diet and exercise for adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Victoza is not recommended for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. It may also help reduce the risk of some serious types of heart problems, including heart attack or stroke, in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Differences Between Byetta and Victoza
Byetta and Victoza are very similar medications that treat the same conditions. However, each has its own merits and detractions within the context of the health needs of the patient.
In clinical studies, Victoza has been shown to lower A1c (a key blood-glucose marker) more than Byetta, while patients maintained the same degree of weight loss. Victoza is taken once a day, while the typical dosage and administration of Byetta is twice per day. However, rodent carcinoma has been shown with Victoza.
Dosing and side effect profiles are the differences between these products. To determine which medication – Victoza or Byetta – is right for you, be sure to consult closely with a prescribing physician before you start a course of treatment.
