[Twice-daily and weekly exenatide: clinical profile of two pioneer formulations in incretin therapy].

GLP-1 receptors agonists have been a substantial change in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its weekly administration has broken pre-established schemes. Daily exenatide is administered every 12 hours (BID) subcutaneously, while weekly exenatide is administered once a week. Both molecules share a common mechanism of action but have differential effects on basal and postprandial glucose. We review the major clinical trials with both exenatide BID and weekly exenatide. It can be concluded that exenatide BID shows a hypoglycemic effect similar to other treatments for type 2 DM but adding significant weight loss with low incidence of hypoglycemia. Weekly exenatide decreases HbA1c similar to liraglutide but larger than exenatide BID, both glargine and biphasic insulin, sitagliptin, and pioglitazone, maintaining weight loss and adding to gastrointestinal intolerance the induration at the injection site as a side effect.