A non-insulin medication given by injection.
This medication is only prescribed to people with Type 2 diabetes.
How do incretin mimetics work?
They work by increasing the levels of hormones called ‘incretins’. These hormones:
- help your body produce more insulin when it is needed
- reduce the amount of glucose being produced by the liver when it is not needed
- reduce the rate at which your stomach digests foods and empties
- reduce appetite.
There are two types of incretin mimetic - Exenatide (Byetta) and Liraglutide (Victoza).
Exenatide (Byetta)
Taken twice daily within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meal (or two main meals of the day if 6 or more hours apart).
NB - Exenatide should not be given after a meal. If an injection is missed, the treatment should be continued with the next scheduled dose.
| Generic name |
Trade name |
Prefilled pen size |
Initial /maximum
daily dose |
| Exenatide |
Byetta |
5 mcg
10 mcg |
5 mcg increasing to 10mcg or 20 mcg |
The dosage indicated will vary from person to person.
If you have any problems with your dosage or the injections, contact your healthcare team.
Undesirable effects which may be experienced with this medication
This treatment will always be prescribed with other blood glucose lowering medication; any undesirable effects experienced will depend on which tablets they are combined with:
Hypoglycaemia (hypo), pancreatitis, decreased appetite, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, burping, constipation, sweating, feeling jittery, weakness, reaction at injection site, allergic skin reactions, general allergic reaction, kidney function problems, dehydration, unusual taste in the mouth, drowsiness.
Liraglutide (Victoza)
Taken once daily at any time, independent of meals.
| Generic name |
Trade name |
Prefilled pen size |
Initial /maximum
daily dose |
| Liraglutide |
Victoza |
3ml pen containing total of
18mg Liraglutide with dose selectors |
0.6mg increasing to1.2mg or 1.8mg |
The dosage indicated will vary from person to person.
If you have any problems with your dosage or the injections, contact your healthcare team.
Undesirable effects which may be experienced with this medication
This treatment will always be prescribed with other blood glucose lowering medication, any undesirable effects experienced will depend on which tablets they are combined with:
Hypoglycaemia (hypo), nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, heartburn, decreased appetite, dizziness, sore throat and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), bronchitis, anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, gastritis, bloating, flatulence, indigestion, toothache, fatigue, high temperature, reaction at injection site, kidney function problems, general allergic reaction, pancreatitis, thyroid problems.
Reviewed July 2009