Pramlintide

What people use it for

• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes alongside mealtime insulin (approved use)
• Weight management (research interest)

What Pramlintide does in the body

Amylin is released with insulin after meals. Pramlintide mimics it: it slows stomach emptying, suppresses glucagon after meals and increases fullness, which smooths blood-sugar spikes and can reduce food intake.

Strength of evidence

Moderate: randomised trials showed modest improvements in blood-sugar control and small weight loss.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing
• Prescribing information (DailyMed, US): Official US label
• Patient leaflets (emc, UK): Official UK product information

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Boxed warning: severe low blood sugar when used with insulin, especially in type 1 diabetes
• Nausea (common)
• Reduced appetite, headache

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Frequent low blood sugar, or not noticing low blood sugar
• Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved as Symlin (US) as an add-on to mealtime insulin. Not widely available outside the US.

How it's taken

Route: Injection under the skin before major meals

How long it lasts (half-life): About 50 minutes

Storage

Pens: refrigerate before first use; follow the patient leaflet.