Oct. 30, 2021

It has been almost 15 years since Symlin (pramlintide) was first approved as an amylin replacement. Amylin is a hormone that is produced in the beta cells of the pancreas and works to prolong gastric emptying time, reduce postprandial glucagon secretion, and reduce caloric intake. When a patient develops type 1 diabetes, they lose the ability to produce insulin as well as amylin. This makes glucose control much harder. I remember when Amylin brought Symlin to market, and how many of us viewed this as a great product for type 1 patients. There were two things that affected the use of Symlin. You could not mix it with insulin, so that meant 2-3 extra shots a day; and Amylin brought Byetta to England that same year, and attention turned to the once a day shot.

Although Byetta and the other GLP-1 Analogs have enjoyed great success with type 2 patients, they have never been approved in type 1 patients.

Our intern Ding Nguyen, PharmD Candidate, University of South Florida Taneja College of Pharmacy, has found that there is a new product under research that combines a prandial insulin with pramlintide in one injection. If this combo is approved, it will definitely make a difference in many patients with type 1 diabetes. Click here to review yourself (Laterpay feature).

 

*****************************

We can make a difference!

*****************************

Dave Joffe

Editor-in-chief