Exenatide: uses, appearance and warnings

Exenatide injection is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Exenatide injection is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ( 1 , 14 ) Limitations of Use Co-administration with other exenatide-containing products is not recommended. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use Exenatide injection contains exenatide. Co-administration with other exenatide-containing products is not recommended.

Exenatide Injection, USP is a clear, colorless sterile solution for subcutaneous injection containing 250 mcg/mL exenatide, USP supplied as follows: 5 mcg per dose in a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 300 mcg/1.2 mL (250mcg/mL), 60 doses. 10 mcg per dose in a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 600 mcg/2.4 mL (250mcg/mL), 60 doses. Exenatide injection is supplied as: 5 mcg per dose, in a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 300 mcg/1.2 mL (250 mcg/mL), 60 doses. 10 mcg per dose, in a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 600 mcg/2.4 mL (250 mcg/mL), 60 doses.

16.1 How Supplied Exenatide Injection, USP is supplied as a clear, colorless sterile solution for subcutaneous injection containing 250 mcg/mL exenatide, USP. The following packages are available: 5 mcg per dose, in a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 300 mcg/1.2 mL (250mcg/mL), 60 doses: NDC 70121-1685-1 10 mcg per dose, in a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 600 mcg/2.4 mL (250mcg/mL), 60 doses: NDC 70121-1686-1 16.2 Storage and Handling Store exenatide injection in the refrigerator at 36 ○ to 46 ○ F (2 ○ to 8 ○ C). After first use, exenatide injection can be kept at a temperature not to exceed 77 ○ F (25 ○ C). Do not freeze. Do not use exenatide injection if it has been frozen. Protect exenatide injection from light. Discard the pen 30 days after first use, even if some drug remains in the pen. Use a puncture-resistant container to discard the needles. Do not reuse or share needles.

Exenatide injection is contraindicated in patients with: A prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to exenatide or to any of the excipients in exenatide injection. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with exenatide injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . A history of drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia from exenatide products. Serious bleeding, which may be fatal, from drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia has been reported with exenatide use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ]. History of severe hypersensitivity to exenatide or any of the excipients in exenatide injection. ( 4 ) History of drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia from exenatide products. ( 4 )

Acute Pancreatitis : Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including exenatide. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected. ( 5.1 ) Never share an exenatide injection pen between patients, even if the needle is changed. ( 5.2 ) Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin : Patients taking an insulin secretagogue or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reduction in the dose of insulin secretagogues or insulin may be necessary. ( 5.3 ) Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion : Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion. ( 5.4 ) Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions : Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. Exenatide is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis. ( 5.5 ) Immunogenicity : Patients may develop antibodies to exenatide. If there is worsening glycemic control or failure to achieve target glycemic control, consider alternative antidiabetic therapy. ( 5.6 ) Hypersensitivity : Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis and angioedema) have been reported. Discontinue exenatide and promptly seek medical advice. ( 5.7 ) Drug-induced Immune-mediated Thrombocytopenia : Serious bleeding which may be fatal has been reported. Discontinue exenatide promptly and avoid re-exposure to exenatide. ( 5.8 ) Acute Gallbladder Disease: If cholelithiasis or cholecystitis are suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated. ( 5.9 ) Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation: Has been reported in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures. Instruct patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been observed in patients treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, including exenatide [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. After initiation of exenatide, observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis which may include persistent or severe abdominal pain (sometimes radiating to the back) and which may or may not be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue exenatide and initiate appropriate management. 5.2 Never Share an Exenatide Injection Pen Between Patients Exenatide injection pens must never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Pen-sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. 5.3 Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin Patients receiving exenatide in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia including severe hypoglycemia [see Adverse Reactions (6) and Drug Interactions (7) ] . The risk of hypoglycemia may be lowered by a reduction in the dose of sulfonylurea (or other concomitantly administered insulin secretagogue) or insulin. Inform patients using these concomitant medications of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. 5.4 Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion There have been post-marketing reports of acute kidney injury, in some cases requiring hemodialysis, in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, exenatide [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. The majority of the reported events occurred in patients who experienced gastrointestinal reactions leading to dehydration such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea [see Adverse Reactions (6) ]. Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions to exenatide that could lead to volume depletion, especially during dosage initiation and escalation of exenatide. Exenatide is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) or end-stage renal disease and should be used with caution in patients with renal transplantation [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ] . 5.5 Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including exenatide, has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe [see Adverse Reactions (6) ]. Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions have also been reported postmarketing with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Exenatide is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis. 5.6 Immunogenicity Patients may develop antibodies to exenatide following treatment with exenatide. Antibody levels were measured in 90% of subjects in the 30-week, 24-week, and 16-week placebo-controlled studies and the 30-week comparator-controlled study of exenatide. In 3%, 4%, 1% and 1% of these patients, respectively, antibody formation was associated with an attenuated glycemic response. If there is worsening glycemic control or failure to achieve targeted glycemic control, alternative antidiabetic therapy should be considered [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 5.7 Hypersensitivity There have been post-marketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis and angioedema) in patients treated with exenatide. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, the patient should discontinue exenatide and other suspect medications and promptly seek medical advice. Inform and closely monitor patients with a history of anaphylaxis or angioedema with another GLP-1 receptor agonist for allergic reactions, because it is unknown whether such patients will be predisposed to anaphylaxis with exenatide [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . 5.8 Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia Serious bleeding, which may be fatal, from drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia has been reported in the post-marketing setting with exenatide use. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is an immune-mediated reaction, with exenatide-dependent anti-platelet antibodies. …

The following serious adverse reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information: Acute Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Never Share an Exenatide Pen Between Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Immunogenicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Acute Gallbladder Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Most common (≥ 5%) and occurring more fre …

Table 6: Clinically Relevant Interactions with Exenatide Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin Clinical Impact Exenatide promotes insulin release from pancreatic beta-cells in the presence of elevated glucose concentrations. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased when exenatide is used in combination with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) or insulin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . Intervention When initiating exenatide, consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogue or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. Warfarin Clinical Impact In a drug interaction study, exenatide did not have a significant effect on INR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . …