The Nature of the Drug: Byetta and Januvia are both used to treat Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Byetta is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and is a GLP -1 agonist. That means that it increases the activity of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps the body secrete insulin; insulin balances blood sugar. Januvia (and the related drug Janumet) also balance blood sugar, but through different mechanisms. Byetta and Januvia have been prescribed millions of times.
