Exenatide
Approved medicineThe FDA has approved a version of this as a medicine, so it has been through large studies in people.
Also called Byetta / Bydureon / Exendin-4 / AC2993
The first approved GLP-1 drug. Originally found in the saliva of the Gila monster lizard.
Can a doctor prescribe this?
No. Pharmacies are not on record as being allowed to make this into a medicine.
The FDA has approved a version of this as a medicine.
Approved and prescription-only.
Official status: Not on the 503A bulks list. Checked 2026-08-04.
Doses used in research
Taken word for word from the studies and trials listed on this page. This is not a recommendation and not a dose for anyone to take.
In human trials
See source wording
under the skin · once a week
Exenatide for Smoking Cessation and Prevention of Weight GainPHASE2 · NCT05610800
“Exenatide will be purchased commercially as Bydureon for subcutaneous (SC) injection and administered at a dose of 2 mg once a week for a total of 14 weeks.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice daily
“Exenatide is dispensed via a 1.2 mL prefilled pen with 250 mcg/mL solution for subcutaneous (s.c.) injection and will be administered twice daily starting at 5 mcg per dose, either in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.”
See source wording
for 4 weeks
Effects of Exenatide in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Congestive Heart FailurePHASE4 · NCT00766857
“Exenatide 5 mcg BID for 4 weeks, subsequently increased to 10 mcg BID for the remainder of the study (total of 26 weeks)..”
See source wording
under the skin · weekly · for 6 weeks
Effects of Antidiabetic Medications on the Postprandial State in PrediabetesPHASE4 · NCT02104739
“Single subcutaneous injection (10 mcg).”
2 mg
under the skin · weekly · for 48 weeks
Trial of Exenatide for Parkinson's DiseasePHASE2 · NCT01971242
“2mg, SC (subcutaneous) once weekly.”
1.5 mg
under the skin · weekly · for 52 weeks
Researching an Effect of GLP-1 Agonist on Liver STeatosis (REALIST)PHASE4 · NCT03648554
“dulaglutide (TRULICITY®) 1.5 mg.”
See source wording
under the skin
Role of Exenatide in Type 1 DiabetesPHASE2 · NCT00456300
“In each intervention arm the participant receives a different dose (1.25 or 2.5 mcg) of exenatide..”
0.066 pmol
into a vein
The Effect of the GLP-1 Analogue Exenatide on Type 2 Diabetes in CNS and Heart During Hyperglycemia Assessed by PETPHASE2, PHASE3 · NCT00747968
“Drug: Exenatide or placebo Dosage form: Infusion Dosage: Exenatide (Eli Lilly/Amylin Pharmaceuticals) 0.066 pmol\*kg-1\*min-1 Duration: 5 hours Frequency: Drug given once, placebo given once.”
See source wording
twice daily · for 4 weeks
“5mg twice daily for 4 weeks followed by 10mg twice daily.”
See source wording
twice daily
Effect of Chronic Exenatide Therapy on Beta Cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in T2DMPHASE4 · NCT02981069
“10mg.”
See source wording
under the skin · once daily
“subcutaneous injection, 2mg, once weekly plus placebo oral once daily.”
5 mcg
under the skin
Study of the Acute Metabolic Effect of Exenatide in Type 1 DiabetesPHASE1 · NCT01855490
“Exenatide 5 mcg sc.”
5 mcg
under the skin · twice daily · for 30 days
Effect of Exenatide in Obese Patients With Accelerated Gastric EmptyingPHASE4 · NCT02160990
“5 mcg exenatide subcutaneously twice daily for 30 days.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day · for 7 days
The Effects of Exenatide on Post-Meal Sugar Peaks and Vascular Health in Obese/Pre-Diabetic Young AdultsPHASE4 · NCT00845559
“Subjects randomized to treatment will receive a four month supply of exenatide and will be taught how to administer subcutaneous injections with their exenatide pen and instructed on the following dosing schedule: exenatide - 5 μg twice a day for 7 days, followed by exenatide 10 μg twice a day for the remainder of the four month supply..”
See source wording
under the skin · once a week · for 6 weeks
Exenatide For Reducing the Reinforcing Effects of CocainePHASE1 · NCT06252623
“Exenatide will be purchased commercially as Bydureon® for subcutaneous injection and administered at 2 mg once a week for 6 weeks.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day
Safety and Efficacy of Exenatide as MonotherapyPHASE3 · NCT00381342
“Placebo subcutaneously injected twice daily as a lead-in followed by exenatide subcutaneously injected, 5 mcg, twice a day.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day
Safety and Efficacy of Exenatide as Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy to Oral Antidiabetic Agents in Adolescents With Type 2 DiabetesPHASE3 · NCT00658021
“Subcutaneous injection, 5 µg, twice a day.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice daily · for 4 weeks
Exenatide Compared With Twice-Daily Biphasic Insulin Aspart in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Using Sulfonylurea and MetforminPHASE3 · NCT00082407
“subcutaneous injection, twice daily; 5 mcg for 4 weeks followed by 10 mcg for 48 weeks.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day
Comparison of the Effect of Exenatide Versus Sitagliptin on 24-hour Average Glucose in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Metformin or a ThiazolidinedionePHASE4 · NCT00729326
“subcutaneous injection (5mcg or 10mcg), twice a day.”
2 mcg
under the skin · weekly
Safety of Exenatide Once Weekly in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated With Thiazolidinedione Alone or Thiazolidinedione in Combination With MetforminPHASE3 · NCT00753896
“subcutaneous injection, 2.0mcg, once weekly.”
10 mcg
under the skin · single injection
Effect of Exenatide on Cortisol SecretionPHASE4 · NCT03160261
“Single injection of Exenatide 10μg subcutaneously.”
See source wording
into a vein · for 5.5 hours
Study of the Effects of Intravenous Exenatide on Cardiac RepolarizationPHASE1 · NCT02650479
“6 hour IV infusion (double infusion of 0.1250 mcg/kg/hour for 30 min followed by infusion rate (1X) of 0.0625 mcg/kg/hour for 5.5 hours)..”
See source wording
twice a day · for 3 months
Research of Exenatide for Overweight/Obese PCOS Patients With IGRPHASE4 · NCT03352869
“Drug: Byetta Generic name: Exenatide Dosage form: 5ug and 10ug Dosage: 10-20ug/day Frequency: twice a day Duration: 3 months.”
See source wording
under the skin · once a day
A Comparison of Adding Exenatide With Switching to Exenatide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Experiencing Inadequate Glycemic Control With Sitagliptin Plus MetforminPHASE4 · NCT00870194
“exenatide-subcutaneous injection, 5mcg (4 weeks) followed by 10mcg (16 weeks), twice a day; sitagliptin-100mg tablet orally once a day.”
See source wording
twice daily · for 1 month
Effect of Pioglitazone and Exenatide on Body Weight and Beta Cell FunctionPHASE4 · NCT00845182
“Pioglitazone 15 mg/day for 1 month and then 45 mg/day for 5 months.”
See source wording
twice daily · for 1 month
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Evaluation of Exenatide Twice Daily Versus Insulin GlargineNA · NCT01089569
“5 mcg BID (twice daily) for 1 month increasing to 10 mcg BID for the remainder of the study.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day
Safety and Efficacy of Exenatide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Using a Thiazolidinedione or a Thiazolidinedione and MetforminPHASE3 · NCT00603239
“subcutaneous injection, 5 mcg or 10 mcg, twice a day (BID).”
5 mcg
under the skin
Efficacy and Mechanism of Exenatide on Improving Heart Function in Type 2 Diabetes With Heart Failure PatientsNA · NCT02344641
“exenatide group receive exenatide (5μg, subcutaneous injection, Bid）.”
See source wording
by mouth · once a week · for 12 weeks
Metformin vs Metformin Combined With GLP-1RA (Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist) on Overweight/Obese PCOS PatientsPHASE4 · NCT04029272
“500 mg tid for 12 weeks.”
See source wording
A Clinical Study of NLY01 in Patient's With Early Parkinson's DiseasePHASE2 · NCT04154072
“NLY01 (2.5 mg).”
See source wording
under the skin · twice daily · for 4 weeks
Effect of AC2993 Compared With Insulin Glargine in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Also Using Combination Therapy With Sulfonylurea and MetforminPHASE3 · NCT00082381
“subcutaneous injection, twice daily; 5 mcg for 4 weeks followed by 10 mcg for 22 weeks.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day
Comparison of Exenatide Taken Before Lunch and Dinner With Before Breakfast and Dinner in Patients With Type 2 DiabetesPHASE3 · NCT00359879
“subcutaneous injection, 5mcg or 10mcg, twice a day (before lunch and dinner).”
1.25 mcg
New Onset Type 1 Diabetes: Role of ExenatidePHASE4 · NCT01269034
“1.25 mcg before the boost sub-cutaneously..”
2 mg
under the skin · weekly
Exenatide Once Weekly, Cardiovascular Risk and Type-2 DiabetesPHASE4 · NCT02380521
“Exenatide will be available at a fixed dose of 2 mg and supplied as a kit.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice daily · for 28 days
Exenatide for the Treatment of Weight Gain Associated With Olanzapine in Obese AdultsPHASE4 · NCT00845507
“The dosage of study medication will be 5 mcg injection of exenatide twice daily for 28 days.”
150 mcg
under the skin
“After completing the pre-dose procedure on the morning of the first day of the study, the subjects were given a subcutaneous injection of PB-119 0.3 mL (150 μg) once in the abdomen by the study nurse.”
See source wording
under the skin
Assessment of Safety, Tolerability and Drug Levels of Exenatide ImplantPHASE1 · NCT05670379
“Semaglutide, 1.0 mg/mL.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day
“subcutaneous injection, 5mcg (4 weeks) followed by 10mcg (26 weeks), twice a day.”
See source wording
under the skin · for 4 months
Use of Exenatide and Pramlintide to Decrease Post-prandial HyperglycemiaPHASE4 · NCT01269047
“Start at 15 mcg capped at 60 mcg before breakfast and supper subcutaneously for 4 months.”
2 mg
under the skin · weekly · for 24 weeks
Exenatide Weekly Injections as an Adjunctive Treatment in Patients With SchizophreniaPHASE4 · NCT02417142
“Exenatide SQ 2mg/week for 24 weeks..”
See source wording
under the skin · twice daily
Changes in Bone Turnover With Exposure to a GLP-1 Receptor AgonistPHASE4 · NCT01381926
“exenatide 5mcg sq twice daily for one month and exenatide 10mcg twice daily for month 2.”
See source wording
Intravenous Exenatide in Patients With Acute Brain InjuryPHASE4 · NCT02058940
“50 ng/min IV for 30 minutes, then start 25 ng/min IV for a maximum duration of 48 hours.”
See source wording
under the skin · every 2 hours · for 10 days
The Study of Exenatide Action on Vessel Function in Type 2 Diabetes and PrediabetesPHASE4 · NCT01181986
“Exenatide 5-10 ug sc BID/10 days.”
See source wording
into a vein · for 2 hours
Intravenous Exenatide (Byetta) During SurgeryPHASE1, PHASE2 · NCT00882050
“Exenatide 0.27 ng/kg/min.”
2 mg
under the skin
A Phase II Trial to Examine the Effect of Subcutaneous Exenatide (Bydureon®) on Glucose Control in Patients With Type I DiabetesPHASE2 · NCT01928329
“2 mg, 1 per week via subcutaneous placebo self injection.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice daily · for 4 days
A Study by Scintigraphy to Evaluate the Effect of Exenatide on Gastric Emptying in Subjects With Type 2 DiabetesPHASE1 · NCT00517283
“Period 1 = Subcutaneous injections of exenatide 5mcg twice daily for 4 days and once in the morning of the 5th day.”
2 mg
under the skin · weekly
Effects of Exenatide on Motor Function and the BrainPHASE1 · NCT03456687
“This group will receive a weekly Exenatide 2mg injection for one year.”
See source wording
twice daily
A Pilot Clinical Trial of Exendin-4 in Alzheimer's DiseasePHASE2 · NCT01255163
“Exenatide 5 mcg or 10 mcg SC twice daily.”
See source wording
under the skin · twice a day · for 4 weeks
Evaluating the Use of Exenatide in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Diastolic Heart FailurePHASE4 · NCT00799435
“5 μg of exenatide subcutaneously twice a day for 4 weeks, followed by 10 μg of exenatide subcutaneously twice a day for an additional 8 weeks.”
In animal studies
See source wording
rats · under the skin · daily
Acute glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, attenuates cue-, drug-, and stress-induced fentanyl seeking in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Behavioural pharmacology · 2026
“Here we test whether acute treatment with semaglutide at 0.026, 0.056, and 0.078 mg/kg administered subcutaneously can reduce cue-, drug-, and stress-induced fentanyl seeking in rats.”
- Incretin Hormones GLP-1 and GIP Normalize Energy Utilization and Reduce Inflammation in the Brain in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease: From Repurposed GLP-1 Receptor Agonists to Novel Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists as Potential Disease-Modifying Therapies.
Study in people
CNS drugs · 2025
- GLP-1 and Alcohol-Related Behaviors: Insights From Preclinical Studies.
Animal study, rats or mice
Biological psychiatry · 2026
- Acute glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, attenuates cue-, drug-, and stress-induced fentanyl seeking in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
Animal study, rats or mice
Behavioural pharmacology · 2026
- Exendin-4 averts all-trans-retinal-driven damage to photoreceptors and the retina via the GLP-1R/PKA/CREB1 signaling axis.
Animal study, rats or mice
Cellular & molecular biology letters · 2026
- Formulation and characterization of exenatide-loaded PLGA microspheres prepared by coacervation.
Lab dish study
Drug delivery and translational research · 2026
- Class-Wide Disproportionate Reporting of Impaired Gastric Emptying Across Nine Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Products: A Signal-Detection Analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Journal not recorded · 2026
- Engineering Marker-Free Lettuce Chloroplast Genome to Express Functional Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Exenatide and Lixisenatide.
Plant biotechnology journal · 2026
- Exenatide
Journal not recorded · 2006
- Pulmonary adverse events associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists: a systematic review of respiratory safety signals.
Review of earlier work
Cardiovascular diabetology. Endocrinology reports · 2026
- Searching for New Pharmacological Treatments of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): Focus on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.
Review of earlier work
International journal of molecular sciences · 2026
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in movement disorders: From Parkinson's disease to the broader spectrum - Mechanisms, evidence, and future directions.
Review of earlier work
Clinical parkinsonism & related disorders · 2026
- Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Review of earlier work
Journal of cardiovascular development and disease · 2026
- Incretin-Based Therapies in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Systematic Review of GLP-1 and Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonists.
Review of earlier work
Cardiovascular toxicology · 2026
- Advances in GLP-1 receptor agonists delivery systems for obesity and diabetes.
Review of earlier work
Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B · 2026
- Are Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists Central Nervous System (CNS) Penetrant: A Narrative Review.
Review of earlier work
Neurology and therapy · 2025
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of opioid use disorders: a systematic review.
Review of earlier work
Acta neuropsychiatrica · 2025