Amylin Analog Treatment

Side Effects

Some people get certain side effects (such as nausea, vomiting and low blood sugar) when starting pramlintide, therefore the starting dose is small to allow the body to adjust to this new medicine.

Dosing

In type 2 diabetes, the initial dose is 60 micrograms (10 units on the insulin syringe), taken before meals. After 3 days, if you tolerate the medicine, the dose may be increased to 120 micrograms (20 units on the insulin syringe) before meals. (Much lower doses of this medicine are used in type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the initial dose is only 15 mcg, and the maximum or maintenance dose is 30 to 60 mcg.) Pramlintide is available in a vial and pen form.

If you are treated with insulin releasing pills and starting pramlintide:

• Reduce the insulin releasing pill dose by half or more. Ask your medical provider for exact recommendation.
• Inject pramlintide just before eating; it is taken three times daily.

If you are treated with insulin and starting pramlintide:

• Reduce your mealtime insulin dose by half or more to prevent a low blood sugar. Ask your medical provider for exact recommendation.
• If using an insulin pump, extending the meal bolus to 1 ½ or 2 hours may prevent early post meal hypoglycemia and late post meal hyperglycemia related to the delayed stomach emptying.
• Inject pramlintide at the same time you inject insulin, but at a different injection site.
• Do not mix pramlintide with insulin in the same syringe.

The most common side effects are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Low blood sugar, if also taking insulin

If you have side effects, contact your medical provider immediately.