Examples
Amylinomimetics may be used for type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Pramlintide is given as an injection at mealtimes. Pramlintide is always used
with insulin, but the injections are given separately.
How It Works
Amylinomimetics work with insulin to control blood sugars after
meals. This medicine slows down food moving through your stomach and slows down
sugars moving into your blood. Pramlintide also lowers your appetite and can
help you maintain a healthy weight.
Amylinomimetics are synthetic drugs that act like a naturally
occurring hormone called amylin. People with type 1 diabetes do not make amylin
themselves. People with type 2 diabetes who need insulin do not make enough
amylin.
Why It Is Used
Amylinomimetics may be used by adults who fulfill all of the
following:
- Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
- Use
insulin.
- Need better blood sugar control.
Amylinomimetics do not replace insulin. This medicine works with
insulin to help you control your blood sugar.
How Well It Works
Amylinomimetics used with insulin can improve blood sugar control
for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In some studies, pramlintide
was linked with weight loss.1
Side Effects
Nausea is the most common side effect for amylinomimetics.
You have a higher risk of having severe low blood sugar with this
medicine. Do not use amylinomimetics if you cannot tell when your blood sugar
is low (hypoglycemia unawareness).
Less common side effects include:
- Less
appetite.
- Vomiting.
- Stomach
pain.
- Tiredness.
- Dizziness.
- Indigestion.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference
is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Do not use amylinomimetics if you fulfill any of the
following:
Amylinomimetics also slow down how fast your body absorbs oral
medicines. Talk with your doctor about all other medicines that you take. If you are
taking oral medicines that need to be rapidly absorbed, you may take them
either one hour before or two hours after an injection of an
amylinomimetic.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Experts do not know if amylinomimetics can
harm a fetus or if this drug can pass through breast milk.
If you miss a dose, wait until your next meal and take your usual
dose at that meal.
Do not use pramlintide if the liquid in the vial looks cloudy.
Pramlintide should be clear.
Do not stop taking amylinomimetics without talking with your doctor
first.
Pramlintide has not been studied in children.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
-
American Diabetes Association (2009). Medical
management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes: A consensus algorithm for the
initiation and adjustment of therapy. Diabetes Care, 32:
193–203.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology |
|
Last Revised
|
October 1, 2010 |
