If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may suggest Bydureon BCise (exenatide extended release) as a treatment option. Along with other factors, you may have questions about possible side effects of the drug.

Bydureon BCise is a prescription drug that treats type 2 diabetes in adults and some children. It’s used along with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels.

Bydureon BCise comes as a suspension (a type of liquid mixture). It’s given as an injection under your skin with a pen device called an autoinjector. The vial and pen forms of Bydureon have been discontinued.

Bydureon BCise is typically prescribed as a long-term treatment. For more information about Bydureon BCise, see this in-depth article.

Mild or serious side effects can be caused by Bydureon BCise. Continue reading to learn more.

Mild to serious side effects may occur during the treatment. There are a lot of common side effects reported for this drug.

  • nausea
  • mild injection site reaction (such as a bump or nodule)*

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Mild and severe side effects can happen with Bydureon BCise.

Mild side effects from Bydureon BCise may be what you experience. Some examples have been reported.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Some of the side effects are easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not stop using Bydureon BCise.

Bydureon BCise may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Bydureon BCise prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Bydureon BCise, visit MedWatch.

There are rare cases where serious side effects can happen. Some examples have been reported.

If you develop serious side effects, you should call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

* Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after injecting Bydureon BCise. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies. But allergic reaction has been reported since Bydureon BCise became available for use.

There are answers to some frequently asked questions about the side effects of Bydureon BCise.

Will I have side effects if I stop Bydureon BCise treatment?

No, Bydureon BCise isn’t known to cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. But these side effects weren’t reported in studies of Bydureon BCise.

Keep in mind that this medication is used to help manage your blood sugar level. So your blood sugar may increase after you stop using the drug.

Talk to your doctor before stopping Bydureon BCise. They will advise when it is safe to stop using the drug. They will want to prescribe another treatment for your condition.

Do I have a higher risk of side effects from Bydureon BCise because of my age?

It is possible, but it is not known for certain.

Side effects of Bydureon BCise in older people are thought to be the same as in younger people. Studies of Bydureon BCise in adults ages 65 years and older didn’t show any differences in side effects for this age group.

But older people may have other health conditions that affect how their bodies respond to Bydureon BCise. (For example, older people may be more likely to have kidney problems.) These health conditions could increase their risk of side effects from this drug.

If you are concerned about using Bydureon BCise because of your age, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor can determine if this is a good drug to use.

Can Bydureon BCise cause eye problems?

It’s not likely. Eye problems weren’t reported as side effects in studies of the drug.

Bydureon BCise isn’t known to make existing eye problems worse. But other medications used to treat type 2 diabetes can worsen certain eye problems. For example, Trulicity (dulaglutide) can worsen diabetic retinopathy in people who already have this condition. (Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes caused by damaged blood vessels in the eye.)

If you are concerned about your eye health, talk to your doctor.

Some of the side effects of Bydureon BCise may be discussed.

Injection site reaction

Injection site reactions may occur with Bydureon BCise. The area where Bydureon BCise is injected has reactions.

Mild injection site reactions were common in studies of Bydureon BCise and included:

Severe injection site reactions may be caused by Bydureon BCise. Examples include:

  • The death of tissues or skin is called necrotic.
  • cellulitis (a kind of skin infection)
  • abscess (fluid-filled pocket of infection on the skin)

What might help

Each week, place the dose into a new site of the same region. The region would be your arms, thighs, or belly. Each injection site should have two fingers from the last one.

If you have any of the reactions listed, you should talk to your doctor. You may need surgery to treat the area. Your doctor will tell you the best way to treat your condition.

Risk of thyroid cancer

Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bydureon BCise may increase your risk of thyroid cancer. While this side effect wasn’t reported in human studies, animal studies have shown a risk of this side effect. But animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

Symptoms of cancer in the thyroid

What might help

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, tell your doctor right away. They can check to see what is causing your symptoms.

If you or someone in your family has had thyroid cancer, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), tell your doctor. In this case, it’s likely they will not prescribe Bydureon BCise to treat your type 2 diabetes.

Doctors also usually prescribe a different type 2 diabetes treatment if you have a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Low blood sugar level

Low blood sugar is a possible side effect of Bydureon BCise. In studies, this side effect was more common when Bydureon BCise was used together with certain diabetes drugs. Examples include:

Low blood sugar can cause symptoms.

What might help

If you have low blood sugar with Bydureon BCise, you should tell your doctor. They may need to adjust the amount of drugs you are taking.

If you have symptoms of low blood sugar with Bydureon BCise, try to increase your blood sugar level. This can be done by eating 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates. Good sources include:

  • 4 ounces of juice.
  • 4 ounces of soda is not diet soda.
  • Hard candy.
  • The tablets haveglucose.

Check your blood sugar level after 15 minutes. Take another 15 g of Carbohydrates if needed.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Bydureon BCise can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies but has been reported since Bydureon BCise became available for use.

Mild or serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s swelling under your skin.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Or they may recommend a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to help manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you had an allergic reaction to Bydureon BCise, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Bydureon BCise, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Keep notes on any side effects you are having during your treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • What dose of drug did you take when you had the side effect?
  • How soon after starting that dose did you experience side effects?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them understand how Bydureon BCise affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

There are a few warnings related to Bydureon BCise.

Boxed warning: Thyroid cancer

Bydureon BCise has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bydureon BCise may increase your risk of cancer. People with a family history of cancer should not use this drug.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

BCise may not be right for you if you have a medical condition that affects your health. Before starting Bydureon BCise, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Stomach problems. Before using Bydureon BCise, tell your doctor if you have any problems with digestion. (This includes gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach empties food more slowly than it should.) Bydureon BCise may worsen these conditions. If you have severe problems with digestion, your doctor may prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have any kidney problems before starting Bydureon BCise. If you do, this drug may worsen the condition. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting can lead to dehydration (low fluid level), and this can make your kidney problems worse. Your doctor will order tests to monitor your kidney function during your treatment. They may prescribe a medication other than Bydureon BCise if you experience kidney problems.

Pancreatitis. Tell your doctor if you currently have pancreatitis (swelling in the pancreas) or if you’ve had it in the past. While Bydureon BCise hasn’t been studied in people who’ve had this condition, it’s possible this drug may cause it. If you’ve had pancreatitis in the past, you may be at higher risk of it while using Bydureon BCise. In this case, your doctor may prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

If you have the following symptoms (with or without nausea), stop using Bydureon BCise and call your doctor immediately:

  • There is severe pain in your belly area.
  • “It’s pain from your back to your belly.”

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Bydureon BCise or any of its ingredients, your doctor will probably not prescribe it for you. Ask them what other medications might be better options for your condition.

Alcohol and Bydureon BCise

There aren’t any known safety issues with drinking alcohol while using Bydureon BCise. But it may be best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink during your treatment. Alcohol can increase or decrease your blood sugar level. And this can make it hard for Bydureon BCise to effectively help manage your blood sugar.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you can drink while using Bydureon BCise.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Bydureon BCise

It is possible that Bydureon BCise may not be safe to use during a pregnant or breastfeeding period.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Bydureon BCise.

Bydureon BCise is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes.

Mild side effects from Bydureon BCise are common. Some people can have serious side effects from this drug.

If you have questions about the effects of Bydureon BCise, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You may want to ask a few questions.

  • How can I keep the drug out of my system?
  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects if I take other diabetes medications with Bydureon BCise?
  • Is there any side effects that I should tell you about?

For helpful tips on managing your condition, sign up for Healthline’s type 2 diabetes newsletter. You can also find support and resources from others living with this condition in the Bezzy T2D community.

Q:

Does Bydureon BCise cause hair loss?

Anonymous

A:

Possibly. Hair loss wasn’t seen in studies of Bydureon BCise. But it has been reported in people using this medication since it became available on the market. If you’re concerned about or have experienced hair loss with Bydureon BCise, talk with your doctor.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.