Drug derived from Gila monster saliva helps diabetics control glucose, lose weight

Exenatide, a drug that is a synthetic form of a substance found in Gila monster saliva, led to healthy sustained glucose levels and progressive weight loss among people with type 2 diabetes who took part in a three-year study. John Buse, M.D., Ph.D., is lead researcher in the study “While this weight loss is encouraging, it’s important for people to understand that exenatide is not intended as a weight-loss drug and it is not approved for that purpose,” Buse said. “Only people with type 2 diabetes should take exenatide.”