anyone on byetta even though they are under the bmi criteria

Re: anyone on byetta even though they are under the bmi crit

Pretty sure it's a cost thing. I've asked many t imes, and they've always refused me. I tried to put a case to them, but they weren't interested.

There are many reasons NOT to go on Byetta (hi trigs being one of them), though...

Re: anyone on byetta even though they are under the bmi crit

Lauraann said:

hiyas
my consultant says he is willing to try byetta for me if my gp is happy to continue prescribing it, the reason being is that I am adamant that I don't want to go onto insulin if there is an alternative, the thing is my bmi is just under 30 and the criteria is bmi over 35, I have about 2 stone to lose and my consultant said I can go on it on a trial period of 6 months, but does anyone know why your bmi has to be over 35 and is there anyone on it that isn't that high as I dont want to go on it if I am going to have problems, or maybe it is a cost thing and they don't want to prescribe it unless you are very overweight
:?

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Basically it is all down to cost......the drug cost the NHS around £65 per 30 day dose and it is reserved mainly for Obese people on max doses of at least 2 other anti-Diabetic drugs as a last resort. There has to be a 'criteria' otherwise everybody would want it.......many of those that want it could possibly do as well with another cheaper drug and/or dietary changes.

It has possible side effects as many drugs do, they aren't mandatory ! After being on it myself for over 2 yrs I never had any........probably a tiny bit of initial nausea when I first started on it, however, nothing to worry about.

I am interested to hear where the 'hi trigs' comment from a member comes from as it certainly hasn't elevated mine ?? There is no mention of 'High Triglyceride's in the list of known possible side effects which are as follows (BNF 61) :

gastro-intestinal disturbances including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain and distension, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, decreased appetite; headache, dizziness, agitation, asthenia; hypoglycaemia; increased sweating, injection-site reactions; antibody formation; less commonly pancreatitis (see Cautions above); very rarely anaphylactic reactions; also reported constipation, flatulence, eructation, dehydration, taste disturbance, renal impairment, drowsiness, rash, pruritus, urticaria, and angioedema

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This from the EMEA (European Medicines Agency) SPC (Summary of Product Characteristics) who actually licence the drug :

BYETTA has shown no adverse effects on lipid parameters. A trend for a decrease in triglycerides has been observed with weight loss.

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So, it will be interesting to see the source which appears to contradict the Clinical Trials and official information etc.......

Re: anyone on byetta even though they are under the bmi crit

Sorry Ken - I meant existing hi trigs is a reason NOT to be put on Byetta, and not a result of being put on Byetta.

I'd edit my original post if I could...

Re: anyone on byetta even though they are under the bmi crit

That's OK....it was definitely a new one on me. It doesn't matter now as it is clarified for the Member. TBH, as a user of Byetta it has had nothing but positive effects all round. I can't really think of any reason not to go on it if it is available. My Lipid profile was and is still excellent.

I still don't know of any reason why having high Trig's to start with would mean you shouldn't take Byetta however. Each to their own I suppose.......

Thanks for the response.

Re: anyone on byetta even though they are under the bmi crit

I didn't know there were BMI criteria for Byetta. I get it even though I have a normal BMI (17 years post diagnosis). It is topped up with a little long acting insulin and maintains my blood glucose at near normal levels despite being off the meter >35 mmol/l a couple of years or so ago. I can even go hypo again these days. Most of the work is being done by the byetta which is an excellent drug and would have been even better if Eli Lilley hadn't made a synthetic version which does not promote new islet formation in the pancreas. Byetta and Victoza are similarly based on Hela Monster venom which was to be used by DM Cure to produce a drug which did produce new islet cell groups. My understanding is that Eli Lilley have bought out DMCure and if my understanding is correct I have no doubt that they will stop the development of a cure for type 2 which would cost them tens of billions in lost income. The growth of new islet cells (inc. beta and alpha cells) is the only realistic hope I am aware of for a cure for T2 for genetic sub-types who are not able to repair the modified ETC mechanism poisoned by TFAs. This group represents the majority of diabetes sufferers (T2, >80%) in the UK today.