Publication Date: 1/13/2007
Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
My husband started using Byetta, last week, and it is working wonderfully. He is also on metformin, glyburide, and Actos. From what I can find out, Byetta has not been tested for use with Actos. I called the doctor to see if he wanted my husband to continue the Actos, and he said yes. Is it okay to do this?Answer
Whether it's "okay" depends on your definition of "okay"! The "official" recommendations that are listed on the label are based upon what studies the manufacturer has done, and which of these studies were persuasive enough that the FDA (or other Health Authorities in other countries) agree the drug is reasonable to use in what combination.However, many specialists are aware of additional information that's not in the label (such as ongoing trials, or the basic mechanism of action of the drugs), so that they feel comfortable with using the medications "off-label". So it's quite reasonable to use Byetta with various diabetes pills, sometimes in combinations that haven't yet made it into the label.
