I have been on Byetta for over 2 years and recently have been having problems with the pen. While setting the pen for 10, it actually shoots significant amounts of Byetta, yet when I inject and depress, very little Byetta actually comes out. I've run a few tests where no Byetta is injected. Anyone else having that problem?
Paying for Byetta but don't think I'm getting it........
Claire in Florida
Hi -
I have been using byetta for about 2 years now also. With the last pen I had - it seems that nothing came out when it was set for "10", and then when I turned the cap to get ready for the next injection, the byetta squirted out at that point! I changed pens, and am having the same problem with the new pen! Now I don't know if I am getting my dose or not. I don't want to inject again, for fear that I may be getting too much.
How did this turn out for you?
--Michael
I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH A 10MCG BYETTA PEN. USUALLY THERE IS AN AUDIBLE CLICK WHEN THE KNOB END IS DEPRESSED. OCCASIONALLY, THE CLICK DOES NOT OCCUR AND THEN ,THE KNOB WON'T TURN TO SET-UP THE NEXT DOSAGE. I HAVE HAD TO WASTE A SHOT BY PRESSING THE KNOB VERY HARD, MAKING IT CLICK, WHICH THEN SQUIRTS THE DOSAGE OUT. AFTER THAT, IT SEEMS TO WORK CORRECTLY. MY LAST PEN NEVER GOT BETTER, SO I RETURNED IT. THE PHARMASIST SAID THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY OTHER RETURNS THAT SHE KNEW OF - BUT SHE HAD BEADY EYES, SO WE'LL NEVER KNOW.
JDJAY
I was curious to read this as I am having the same problem. I returned a pen about a month ago as it was not properly depressing. For awhile it felt as if nothing was coming out, however, as I turned it to prepare for the next injection medicine would shoot out. The pharmacist agreed it was not working and took it back.
The new pen she gave me felt as if it was working and then it too stopped clicking. It is hard to determine if anything is coming out, except that I have had this pen well over a month (or 60 doses) and still have a bit left which I shouldn't have.
I have tried to report this problem to Amylin. They have told me there are no reported problems with the 10mcg pens. I beleive them as they refuse to accept a problem report. Was on the 5mcg pens for 3 months, the used 5mcg pens again for a month when I started having problems with the 10. Never a problem with the 5mcg. I have thrown away over $1,000 worth of 10mcg pens.
Having similar problems with 10 mcg pens. Some pens are very difficult to turn (some impossible) to set dosage. The plunger will not then go in on these pens to meter the dose. The pharmacy has replaced two over the last year, but are reluctant to replace them anymore. Also, they do not want to give another Rx refill as the time to refill has not been met. Should this be relported to Amylin or E I Lilly?
I finally called the president of Amylin. Of course I did not talk to him, but the person who called me gave me some good info. My problem was medicine squirting out during the "reset" after an injection, which means you did not receive a full dose. I was very carefully following the instructions. The part that says "push the plunger until it stops." is not complete!!! When the plunger stops you are not finished!!! When it stops you must push very hard on the the plunger for at least 5 seconds. Since I was given this information, I have had no problems. I asked more than once if they were going to change the instructions and never did get a yes or a no answer. I notified my pharmacists and my doctor about the incomplete instructions. I haven't decided on my next step--contact Eli Lily or the FDA(again). I was told a change to the instructions would require FDA approval.
Hi
I am type 2 diabetes, and have been on Byetta since march 2009 recently during the last 3 months I have had 4 that ceased up completely even with following leaflet instructions they would not work. And 2 that deliver medication while dialling up the dosage, this actually means when you inject nothing is delivered. I know this because while dialling the dosage, medication squirted out, then I depressed the plunger as if injecting into myself and - nothing!!
I am so fed up with faulty equipment, I rang Liily and was put through to Customer Services for Devices, after her blaming everything but the device (it appears no one else has had any problems) and me being reso;ute with my complaint, she sent me a returns envelope so that they can test the pen themselves.
My advice complain to Lilly directly Tel number from UK 01256 315 999
I have been using Byetta for over a year and recently switched to 10 mg. I also have the same exact problem everyone describes. Since i had a 5mg pen I did a simple test.
I used the 5mg pen twice every morning and evening for an average morning blood sugar of 121. Using the 10mg pen as directed my morning blood sugar averaged 166. Furthermore, when I press on the 10mg pen hard, I must get a large amount because I get all the side effects that I got when I first started taking Byetta. Amylin....it's time for a RECALL!!!
Same problems here.
I will be submitting a complaint to teh company but I am very concerned at all these reports of the company not acknowledging a problem. Maybe I can send a link of this page with my complain and let the FDA know. I'm sure it's an actual problem with some of the pens. Certainly not with all of them.
Very concerning.
I started having the same issues. The fluid come out when I reset the pen meaning I never got that dose. I have tried it over and over and it fails about 1/2 of the time. When I try it without injecting it seems to work fine. I have reported this to Amylin and the FDA. I urge everyone to report this to the FDA so that maybe they will issue a recall. Seems to be a mechanism failure within the pen that it will not click with back-pressure on the needle. I don't get why the pen is so complicated to use. Looks like they could design something more sure-fire.
I have had problems with many (maybe half?) pens becoming very hard to turn after injection. The last one was so bad I finally could not turn it at all (about 1/4 way through the syrum). Also it was not dispensing the full dose (it took about 2 weeks to use the 1/4). I returned it to Walgreen's and they replaced it but said they had not heard of this problem. Anybody else seen this?
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Hi Claire,
How do you know you are not getting the proper dosage when you inject and depress? If the needle is in your skin, I think it might be hard to see :)
I thought I was not getting the proper dosage because there would be a small drop on the tip of the needle when I remove it after the injection, but according to the Byetta website, that is normal. Here are the instructions for you online. Make sure you are following them. If you still have doubt, you might want to get another pen (I get mine in 3 month supplies) and take the one you have an issue with to your next dr appointment to see if there is an issue. Amlyn should replace it if it is defective.
You might also want to read David Mendosa's postings about Byetta. He's covered everything from side effects, to storage to successes. You can read David's postings here.
Good luck and stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!!
Vicki M