Full Version: Byetta & Metformin Timing

From: Jenn (JENNIFER_S) [#1]
6 Mar 13:39
To: ALL

I am new to this forum and wonder for those of you taking Metformin with Byetta: When do you take the Metformin? If you take it first thing in the morning, do you wait 2 hours to inject?

I only started taking Byetta 3 days ago and since reading the "Byetta Basics" and past posts have learned some things that I need to change.

I already need to wait each morning 30 minutes for my thyroid medication, now do I need to wait 2 hours???

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

From: Mark_in_MO [#3]
6 Mar 13:58
To: ALL

Jenifer,

Welcome to the forum and I hope you have a smooth transition into using Byetta.

One of the side effects of Byetta is that Byetta slows the gastric digestion, so if you take Metformin at the same time as Byetta, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than is best for you. Several forum members have found they get better BG control by taking their Metformin on the "off-shift" from when they take their Byetta - e.g. they shoot Byetta before breakfast and dinner, and take Met at lunch and before bedtime.

That being said, how it works best for you is something you will have to determine. As an example, I take 1000mg of Metformin in the morning and evening, before meals and right before I take my shot of Byetta. I have never had issues with this sequence - but that's just me!

If you can take your Metformin earlier or later than the Byetta, that would be a good starting point. And remember, test and track your results faithfully so you can determine what is happening. It is also a good idea to make one change at a time so you know which change is producing the good (or undesirable) results in your BG numbers.

I believe several people have reported in the forum that taking thyroid meds a couple of hours after taking a shot of Byetta has resulted in better results tcompared to when they take the thyroid meds at the same time as the Byetta.

Good luck!

From: toneylee in VA (TONEYLEE) [#5]
7 Mar 10:08
To: Jenn (JENNIFER_S) [#1] 7 Mar 19:41

Hi, Jennifer, and welcome. As Mark explains, Byetta slows gastric emptying, and that can really affect the performance of your thyroid medication. A couple people in the past, on the basis of personal experience, have recommended taking the thyroid med as far away as possible from Byetta injections. I remember one woman in particular who developed symptoms of low thyroid--such as hair loss and dry skin--because she took both meds at the same time. She told us her doctor blamed the Byetta. Ask your doctor if you can change the dosing schedule of your synthroid (?) to accomodate the injection. Like at night? Or the 2-3 hours after that Mark suggests? Also, if you experiment, you may find you don't need the full 2 hours before injecting. Everyone is so different. Like Mark says about Metformin, you have to see what works best for you.

From: Geri in Co:Byetta(3-06) (GERI) [#7]
7 Mar 10:52
To: Jenn (JENNIFER_S) [#1] 7 Mar 19:41

Welcome.

I take Glucophage XR(I don't take the generic metformin) and since it is already a slow release I try to take it 1/2 hr after taking my Byetta shot as my dr suggests but sometimes the timing is off and I take it with the shot. I'd check with your dr and see what he/she says to do. I now take my other meds 2 hrs after my Byetta shot and that seems to work the best for me.

I'd also check with your dr to see what he/she wants you to do.

Again welcome

From: Jan (JANICE) [#9]
11 Mar 14:18
To: ALL

Hi Jen and hello to all the gang:

I have not been here as much as I should - as for Jen and Byetta and Metformin timing - I too had to change mine.

For me the best is Byetta shot before breakfast, then one of my metfomins at lunch, Byetta before dinner and the other metformin before bed with my bedtime snack. I personally still have to have something in my stomach when I take the metformin or it will give me an upset stomach.

Update on my progress. Gained back a few pounds over the holidays but I think some of it is ok since I kicked up my workouts and do heavier weight lifting.

BG is pretty good over all. Still higher than I would like some mornings but that has always been a problem. Afternoon highs are in control now. Changed how I eat - eating much less at lunch even though I thought I was not over eating I guess I was.

From: toneylee in VA (TONEYLEE) [#11]
11 Mar 17:35
To: Jan (JANICE) [#9] 11 Mar 20:47

Jan: Great to hear from you and welcome back! It sounds like you've made some good changes. Hope that you aren't feeling too hungry. :)

From: Jan (JANICE) [#13]
11 Mar 20:49
To: toneylee in VA (TONEYLEE) [#11] 12 Mar 10:14

Hi Toney:

Not overly hungry - just picked at bad stuff over the holidays.

I responded to this thread because I did have problems with the Byetta and Metformin timing and changing my first Metformin to lunch time also seemed to bring down those later afternoon highs.

From: Geri in Co:Byetta(3-06) (GERI) [#15]
12 Mar 9:43
To: Jan (JANICE) [#9] 13 Mar 8:51

Glad to see your name again Jan.

My endo says not to worry about timing of the extended release meds that I take but if you take the regular release the timing is much more important.

From: Jan (JANICE) [#17]
13 Mar 8:52
To: Geri in Co:Byetta(3-06) (GERI) [#15] 13 Mar 10:28

Full Version: Byetta & Metformin Timing

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