Pramlintide
Also known as Symlin
Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells that is deficient in people with diabetes who use insulin therapy. It is approved as an adjunct to mealtime insulin in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have not achieved adequate glucose control on insulin alone. By mimicking amylin's natural actions, it helps smooth post-meal blood glucose spikes and can support modest weight reduction. It is administered as a separate subcutaneous injection immediately before meals and is never mixed with insulin in the same syringe. It is a prescription-only medication requiring careful insulin dose adjustment to avoid hypoglycemia.
Reported benefits
- Reduces post-meal blood glucose spikes when added to mealtime insulin
- Associated with modest reductions in body weight in clinical studies
- May allow for lower total mealtime insulin requirements
- Suppresses inappropriate glucagon secretion after meals
How it works
Pramlintide slows gastric emptying, which reduces the rate at which glucose from a meal enters the bloodstream. It also suppresses postprandial glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells, reducing hepatic glucose output after meals, and acts on hypothalamic satiety centers to reduce food intake. Together these actions lower after-meal glucose excursions without directly stimulating insulin release.
Dosing ranges
| Tier | Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 15 mcg | before each major meal (typical type 1 diabetes starting dose) |
| Moderate | 60 mcg | before each major meal (typical type 2 diabetes starting dose) |
| High | 120 mcg | before each major meal (maximum dose, type 2 diabetes) |
Estimate your dose
Dose estimator
Educational estimate for Pramlintide, scaled to body size. Not medical advice.
Read before using
This tool produces a rough, educational estimate by scaling commonly-published research ranges to lean body mass. It is not a prescription, medical advice, or a substitute for a licensed clinician. Most peptides use fixed dosing, not weight-based dosing. Individual needs vary. You are solely responsible for how you use this information.
Mixing & syringe units
Target dose follows the estimate above. Change it there, or edit it directly below.
Reconstitution calculator
How much water to add and how many insulin-syringe units to draw for Pramlintide. Educational only.
Draw to this mark
1.2units
= 0.012 mL for a 60 mcg dose
Concentration
5,000 mcg/mL
Doses per vial
166
Under 2 units is hard to measure accurately. Use less water for a larger, easier-to-read draw.
A U-100 syringe reads 100 units per mL. This is a reconstitution math helper only, not a prescription or dosing advice. Verify every calculation and consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Possible side effects
Stacking notes
Always injected separately from insulin, at a different site, and never mixed in the same syringe; oral medications should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after due to delayed gastric emptying.
Common protocols
Common questions
What is Pramlintide used for?
Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells that is deficient in people with diabetes who use insulin therapy. It is approved as an adjunct to mealtime insulin in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have not achieved adequate glucose control on insulin alone. By mimicking amylin's natural actions, it helps smooth post-meal blood glucose spikes and can support modest weight reduction. It is administered as a separate subcutaneous injection immediately before meals and is never mixed with insulin in the same syringe. It is a prescription-only medication requiring careful insulin dose adjustment to avoid hypoglycemia. Reported benefits include reduces post-meal blood glucose spikes when added to mealtime insulin, associated with modest reductions in body weight in clinical studies, may allow for lower total mealtime insulin requirements.
What is a typical Pramlintide dose?
Reported ranges run 15-120 mcg. A low protocol is 15 mcg before each major meal (typical type 1 diabetes starting dose), and a high protocol is 120 mcg before each major meal (maximum dose, type 2 diabetes). This is reference information, not a dosing recommendation.
What is the half life of Pramlintide?
Approximately 48 minutes. That is what sets the dosing frequency, and it is why the timing guidance is before meals.
How is Pramlintide administered?
Subcutaneous: into fat, under the skin. Injected subcutaneously in the abdomen or thigh immediately before major meals; injection site must be separate from insulin injections.
How long is a Pramlintide cycle?
Ongoing, continuous use alongside mealtime insulin as long as clinically indicated on, followed by Not typically discontinued while on adjunct insulin therapy unless not tolerated off. Insulin doses (especially rapid/short-acting) are usually reduced by about 50% when starting pramlintide to reduce hypoglycemia risk.
What are the side effects of Pramlintide?
Reported side effects include nausea, especially when starting therapy or after dose increases, increased risk of severe hypoglycemia when combined with insulin, usually requiring an insulin dose reduction, injection site reactions, headache and decreased appetite. Evidence level for this compound is well studied.
Partner offer · $20 off
When did you last
check your blood work?
Regular blood work catches changes early. At-home collection with free pickup, 50+ biomarkers, and results in 72 hours.
- 1Order your kitTakes two minutes online, $20 off with this link.
- 2Collect at homePainless draw with free home pickup, no lab visit.
- 3Results in 72 hours50+ biomarkers with clear optimal ranges.
Partner offer · opens rythm.health
Educational use only, not medical advice. This profile is provided for research and educational purposes. Pramlintide may be a research compound or a prescription medication; nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dosing figures reflect commonly-published research ranges, not a prescription. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health decision. Read the full disclaimer →