Symlinpen
(pramlintide)
Lowers blood sugar.
Our bottom line
Symlinpen (pramlintide) helps lower blood sugar when fast-acting or mealtime insulin isn't enough, but it can also cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.
- Drug class: endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Symlinpen (pramlintide) doesn't cause weight gain like insulin does.
- People using Symlinpen (pramlintide) see pretty good reductions in A1C levels and body weight.
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What to expect from Symlinpen, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Symlinpen (pramlintide) is expensive and a generic option isn't available.
- You need to use Symlinpen (pramlintide) with each meal if you have Type 1 diabetes, and at least 2 times a day if you have Type 2 diabetes.
- This can't replace your insulin and can't be mixed with insulin, so you need to be okay giving yourself another shot in addition to your insulin shots.
- It may not be a good option if you have trouble figuring out when your blood sugar is low. Symlinpen (pramlintide) can cause low blood sugar levels that are life-threatening.
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What to expect from Symlinpen, on one page
Download Fact SheetSymlinpen (pramlintide) is a synthetic version of human amylin. It helps lower blood sugar in three ways: by making you feel full at meals, lowering the amount of sugars released by your body, and slowing the rate that food moves from your stomach into your intestine.
- Drug class: endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$1123.59
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$1124.34
What to expect when you take Symlinpen (pramlintide) for Type 2 diabetes
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Allergic reaction
Side effect rates for Symlinpen (pramlintide)
- Nausea48%48%17%17%
- Loss of appetite17%17%2%2%
- Injury14%14%10%10%
- Vomiting11%11%7%7%
- Joint pain7%7%5%5%
- Fatigue7%7%4%4%
- Allergic reaction6%6%5%5%
- Dizziness5%5%4%4%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Symlinpen.
People taking Symlinpen felt side effect more
People taking Symlinpen felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Symlinpen (pramlintide)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Taking other diabetic medications
Symlinpen (pramlintide), alone or in combination with other diabetic medications, can cause low blood sugar. Very low blood sugar levels may be life-threatening. Your insulin dose may need to be reduced when you first start using Symlinpen (pramlintide). Your doctor can have you check your blood sugar levels more frequently. Talk to your doctor about the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to treat it. Until you know how Symlinpen (pramlintide) affects you, don't drive, operate machinery, or participate in dangerous activities.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Symlinpen (pramlintide)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- You should avoid drinking alcohol while on Symlinpen (pramlintide).
- Symlinpen (pramlintide) doesn't cause weight gain like insulin does.
- People using Symlinpen (pramlintide) see pretty good reductions in A1C levels and body weight.