SymlinPen ratings & reviews

Pramlintide
Company: AZN
Brand: SymlinPen
Drug class: Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
+3 more
Alimentary Tract and Metabolism, Antidiabetic Agents, Blood Glucose Lowering Agents, excluding Insulins, Amylin Analog Antidiabetics
Overall rating
3.3
full star full star full star empty star empty star
Ranked #68
Physician ratings
  • Efficacy: effective for its intended use
  • Safety: safe to use in humans
  • Tolerability: low drug side effects
  • Accessibility: insurance/payer coverage, cost, affordability,formulary coverage, availability in your hospital or practice setting
  • Adherence: patient compliance with treatment
Efficacy
3.5/5
Safety
3.4/5
Tolerability
3.2/5
Accessibility
3.0/5
Adherence
3.2/5

Sermo AI Overview

  • Physicians express mixed opinions on SymlinPen's efficacy, with some finding it helpful for blood sugar control and weight loss, while others consider it less effective than alternatives like GLP1 inhibitors, particularly for type 1 diabetes.
  • Despite challenges such as side effects, high costs, and inconsistent insurance coverage, many doctors appreciate SymlinPen for its convenience, safety, and tolerability in diabetes management, pointing to improvements in accuracy and ease of use.
  • Patients often struggle with adherence due to side effects like nausea and decreased appetite, compounded by concerns over the treatment's cost and accessibility, which limit its overall use in managing diabetes effectively.
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Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

SymlinPen is an anti-diabetic medication containing the active ingredient pramlintide acetate, a synthetic analog of the hormone amylin. It is available as a clear, isotonic, sterile solution for subcutaneous injection. The formulation includes pramlintide at a concentration of 1000 mcg/mL and key inactive ingredients like metacresol, D-mannitol, and acetic acid. SymlinPen is intended to help manage blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes who are also treated with insulin.

Source: This information is sourced from FDA and powered by AI

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for injection under the skin. You will be taught how to prepare and give this medication. Use exactly as directed. Do not mix this medication with insulin in the same syringe. Take this medication immediately before meals. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.

Always check the appearance of this medication before using it. Do not use it if it is cloudy or has solid particles in it.

It is important that you put your used needles and injector-pens in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or care team to get one.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

This medication comes with INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. Ask your pharmacist for directions on how to use this medication. Read the information carefully. Talk to your pharmacist or care team if you have questions.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Your care team should discuss a plan for missed doses with you. If you do miss a dose, follow their plan. Do not take double doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store unopened injector-pens in the refrigerator between 2 to 8 degrees C (36 to 46 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

Store opened injector-pens (pens currently in use) in the refrigerator or at room temperature of not greater than 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) for up to 30 days. Do not freeze. Keeping this medication at room temperature decreases the amount of pain during injection. Throw away any opened pens of this medication 30 days after opening.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings & Precautions

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • Hemoglobin A1C value above 9
  • Low blood sugar episodes
  • Problems checking blood sugar
  • Problems taking diabetes medication
  • Stomach problems like gastroparesis
  • Trouble being able to tell when blood sugar is low
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to pramlintide, metacresol, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

  • Acetaminophen
  • Alosetron
  • Atropine
  • Birth control pills
  • Certain medications for bladder problems like oxybutynin
  • Certain medications for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
  • Certain medications for travel sickness like scopolamine
  • Eluxadoline
  • Other medications for diabetes like acarbose, miglitol

Many medications may cause changes in blood sugar, these include:

  • Alcohol-containing beverages
  • Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
  • Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
  • Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
  • Chromium
  • Diuretics
  • Female hormones, such as estrogens or progestins, birth control pills
  • Fenofibrate
  • Gemfibrozil
  • Isoniazid
  • Lanreotide
  • Male hormones or anabolic steroids
  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
  • Medications for weight loss
  • Medications for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
  • Medications for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
  • Niacin
  • Nicotine
  • NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
  • Octreotide
  • Pasireotide
  • Pentamidine
  • Phenytoin
  • Probenecid
  • Quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin
  • Some herbal dietary supplements
  • Steroid medications such as prednisone or cortisone
  • Sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim
  • Thyroid hormones

Some medications can hide the warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely if you are taking one of these medications. These include:

  • Beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
  • Clonidine
  • Guanethidine
  • Reserpine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.

A test called the HbA1C (A1C) will be monitored. This is a simple blood test. It measures your blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months. You will receive this test every 3 to 6 months.

Learn how to check your blood sugar. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.

Always carry a quick-source of sugar with you in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Examples include hard sugar candy or glucose tablets. Make sure others know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

Tell your care team if you have high blood sugar. You might need to change the dose of your medication. If you are sick or exercising more than usual, you might need to change the dose of your medication.

Do not skip meals. Ask your care team if you should avoid alcohol. Many nonprescription cough and cold products contain sugar or alcohol. These can affect blood sugar.

Pens should never be shared. Even if the needle is changed, sharing may result in passing of viruses like hepatitis or HIV.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medication and dosage times.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medicine can cause severe low blood sugar, usually within 3 hours after an injection. Have a plan to treat low blood sugar. You should have fast-acting sugar (such as hard candy, glucose tablets, juice) or a glucagon injection with you at all times. Monitor your blood sugar regularly. If you have severe low blood sugar or if you have low blood sugar more often than normal, call your healthcare provider.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

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