Pramlintide

Also known as: Symlin, SymlinPen, Pramlintide acetate

Synthetic amylin analog used with mealtime insulin, FDA-approved in 2005 as Symlin for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Prescription medication.

Last updated October 26, 2026

Mechanism of Action

Pramlintide is an analog of amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells, with proline substitutions at positions 25, 28 and 29 that prevent the aggregation seen with human amylin. It slows gastric emptying, suppresses the rise in glucagon after meals, and increases satiety through brainstem amylin receptors. Together these effects blunt post-meal glucose spikes and reduce food intake.

Half-life: ~48 minutes
Administration Routes: Subcutaneous
Research Status: Clinical

Reported Benefits

Lowers post-meal glucose and HbA1c as an add-on to mealtime insulin
Approved for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Modest weight reduction

Potential Side Effects

Boxed warning: severe insulin-induced hypoglycemia, especially in type 1 diabetes
Nausea, particularly when starting
Vomiting, anorexia and headache
Injection-site reactions

Common Dosing

Labeled use is a subcutaneous injection immediately before major meals alongside mealtime insulin, starting at a low dose and titrating up, with mealtime insulin doses typically reduced when it is started to lower hypoglycemia risk. Dosing is set and supervised by the prescribing clinician.

The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.

Contraindications

Confirmed gastroparesis
Hypoglycemia unawareness
Hypersensitivity to pramlintide or metacresol

Weight & Metabolic

Clinical

Insulin Analogs

Engineered insulins (rapid-acting, long-acting, basal) for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. FDA-approved since 1996 (lispro). Prescription medications.

Learn More

A randomized study and open-label extension evaluating the long-term efficacy of pramlintide as an adjunct to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes
2002
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Pramlintide as an adjunct to insulin therapy improves long-term glycemic and weight control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a 1-year randomized controlled trial
2003
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Yes. The FDA approved it as Symlin in 2005 as an add-on to mealtime insulin for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It carries a boxed warning for severe hypoglycemia.

Both are amylin analogs. Pramlintide is short-acting and given before meals, while cagrilintide is a long-acting analog designed for once-weekly dosing and is still investigational.