Exendin-4 dosage and protocol
GLP-1 agonist (glucagon-like peptide-1) for glucose regulation, appetite suppression, and metabolic health. Enhances insulin secretion and reduces glucagon.
- Vial size: 10 mg
- Reconstitution: 2 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 5mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Glucose Regulation
- Appetite Suppression
- Metabolic Health
- Weight Loss
- Type 2 Diabetes
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial for 5 mg/mL
- Typical dose: 5–10 mcg twice daily before morning and evening meals
- Easy measuring: At 5 mg/mL, 1 unit (0.01 mL) is 50 mcg, so a 5–10 mcg dose is only 0.1–0.2 units, too small to measure accurately on a U-100 syringe without further dilution
- Storage: Refrigerate after reconstitution
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5-10mcg | twice daily or weekly for long-acting versions | 0.001-0.002 |
How it works
Exendin-4 is a 39-amino-acid peptide originally isolated from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard. It shares about 53% sequence identity with human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and is a full agonist of the GLP-1 receptor, but it resists breakdown by the enzyme DPP-4, giving it a half-life of around 2–3 hours compared with minutes for native GLP-1. Its synthetic form, exenatide, was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA, as Byetta in 2005, for type 2 diabetes; an extended-release weekly formulation (Bydureon) followed in 2012. Activation of GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, while glucagon release is suppressed when glucose is high. It also slows gastric emptying and acts on appetite centers in the brain to increase satiety. In clinical trials in type 2 diabetes, exenatide lowered HbA1c and produced modest weight loss. In the approved immediate-release form, the labeled dose is 5 mcg twice daily within 60 minutes before morning and evening meals, increased to 10 mcg twice daily after one month. The extended-release product is a different 2 mg weekly formulation; plain exendin-4 is not a long-acting agent. Labeling includes warnings about pancreatitis, kidney injury related to dehydration, and hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Reconstitution steps
- Add 2mL bacteriostatic water slowly down the vial wall
- Gently swirl to mix - do not shake
- Allow to dissolve completely
- Label with date and concentration
- Store in refrigerator
Storage
Store reconstituted peptide refrigerated. Best used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
Important notes
- Marketed as Exenatide (Byetta) - GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) enhancing insulin secretion, reducing glucagon, and delaying gastric emptying
- Commonly used in diabetes and weight loss protocols
- Improves glycemic control and promotes satiety
- Marketed as Exenatide in pharmaceutical formulations
- May cause nausea, dizziness, or appetite loss
- Monitor for rare pancreatitis
- Best used in conjunction with diet and exercise
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes
- Alcohol swabs