Overview
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In plain language
Pramlintide (brand name Symlin) is an FDA-approved, lab-made version of amylin, a hormone made with insulin. It is used at mealtimes by people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who also take mealtime insulin.
It helps lower blood sugar after meals by slowing digestion, reducing glucagon and helping people feel full. Because it can cause severe low blood sugar when combined with insulin, insulin doses are lowered when starting it.
For students
Pramlintide (about 3,949 Da) is human amylin with three residues replaced by proline (A25P, S28P and S29P), copied from rat amylin. These prolines prevent the aggregation into amyloid fibrils that makes human amylin unusable as a drug.
It activates amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor–RAMP complexes), slowing gastric emptying, suppressing postprandial glucagon and increasing satiety. It was approved in 2005 and is injected before major meals.
For researchers and instructors
Clinical evidence. Trials showed modest HbA1c reductions (about 0.3–0.6%) with weight loss, rather than the weight gain seen with intensified insulin.
Safety. Boxed warning for severe insulin-induced hypoglycemia, particularly in type 1 diabetes. Nausea is common at the start.
Legacy. Validated amylin as a target, paving the way for long-acting analogues such as cagrilintide.
Status. FDA-approved (Symlin).
Molecular identity
- Amino acids
- 37
- Molecular weight
- ~3,949.4 Da
- Formula
- C₁₇₁H₂₆₇N₅₁O₅₃S₂
- Sequence
- KCNTATCATQRLANFLVHSSNNFGPILPPTNVGSNTY-NH₂ (Cys2–Cys7 disulfide)
Sequence map
Hydropathy
Kyte–Doolittle score per residue. Positive values are water-repelling.
Origin and history
Human amylin clumps together, which makes it useless as a drug. Scientists at Amylin Pharmaceuticals noticed that rat amylin does not clump, and found the reason: prolines at three positions. Swapping prolines into human amylin at positions 25, 28 and 29 created pramlintide.
The FDA approved it as Symlin in March 2005, as an add-on to mealtime insulin. A month later the same small San Diego company won approval for exenatide (Byetta), two first-in-class peptide drugs in one year.
Key people
- Amylin PharmaceuticalsSan Diego developer
Timeline
- 1987
Amylin discovered
- 2005
FDA approves Symlin
See every peptide on one history timeline.
Human evidence
Randomized trials in type 1 and type 2 diabetes support its approved use.
Registration and enrollment are not proof of benefit; check study results directly.
Explore original publications and distinguish preclinical findings from controlled human evidence.
Safety and regulatory status
See every compound on the regulatory tracker.
FDA-approved with a boxed warning for severe low blood sugar when used with insulin.
This profile is educational and does not provide treatment, dosing or sourcing guidance.
Sources
- PubMed literature search: Pramlintide
- PubChem compound search: Pramlintide
- DailyMed (FDA label search): Pramlintide
- PubMed: pramlintide development
- ClinicalTrials.gov search: Pramlintide
Hernandez Gener, E. (2026, November 7). Pramlintide: molecular data, research history and evidence. VALREXA Biosciences. https://valrexa.com/peptides/pramlintide.html
APA style · Last reviewed November 7, 2026 · Our editorial standardsLast reviewed November 7, 2026. Trial and regulatory status can change; confirm in the linked registries. This profile is educational and is not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or dosing or sourcing guidance. Report an error · Corrections policy