Albiglutide Patient Handout
Albiglutide Patient Handout
Patient Education
Warning
Drugs like this one have been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not
known if this drug may cause thyroid cancer in humans. Call your doctor right away if
you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness that will not
go away.
Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors,
nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection,
injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood
sugar.
Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
Do not share pen or cartridge devices with another person even if the needle has been
changed. Sharing these devices may pass infections from one person to another. This
includes infections you may not know you have.
Kidney problems have happened with drugs like this one. Sometimes, kidney problems
have needed to be treated in the hospital. Dialysis has also been needed. Talk with your
doctor.
If you cannot drink liquids by mouth or if you have upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea
that does not go away; you need to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your doctor to find
out what to do. Dehydration may lead to new or worse kidney problems.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly
side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following
signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing,
swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain,
or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed,
blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
Dizziness or passing out.
Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other
drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast
heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of
these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include
taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects.
Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not
go away:
Diarrhea.
Upset stomach.
Irritation where the shot is given.
Back pain.
Joint pain.
Cough.
Signs of a common cold.
Flu-like signs.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at
https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Copyright
© 2020 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.