Exenatide: A New Option for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

prove glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes re-ceiving metformin, a sulfonylurea, or a combination of these agents but who have not achieved adequate control. Exenatide, an incretinmimetic agent, is a synthetic analog of the 39-amino acid peptide amide originally derived from salivary secretions of the lizard Heloderma suspec-tum and is a functional analog of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Exenatide improves glycemic control via various mechanisms including secretion of glucose-de-pendent insulin, suppression of inappropriately high glucagon levels found in patients with type 2 diabetes, de-lay of gastric emptying, and reduction of food intake. This review compiles the results of recently published clinical trials and considers information included in the prescribing information from the manufacturer. Particular attention is given to the efficacy and safety of exenatide