Treat Diabetes - Lose Weight, Too!

Diabetics’ use of Byetta (Amylin Pharmaceuticals) has boomed since the glucose-regulating prescription drug was introduced last year as the first in a class of medicines for type 2 diabetes called incretin mimetics. The big appeal? Many people not only have better regulation of their blood sugar, but they lose weight, too. UAB endocrinologist Fernando Ovalle, M.D., said, “Byetta slows down the gastrointestinal transit time and therefore makes people feel full after eating. The biggest side effect may be nausea, but it’s usually transient.”

The injectable drug also facilitates insulin production in response to a meal and helps suppress glucagon levels. UAB doctors participated in some of the clinical studies of the drug and use it in clinics.

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