Important Patient Safety Information for
SYMLIN® (pramlintide acetate) Injection

What is the most important information I should know about SYMLIN?
  • SYMLIN is used with insulin to lower blood sugar, especially high blood sugar that happens after meals.
  • SYMLIN is given at mealtimes. The use of SYMLIN does not replace your daily insulin but may lower the amount of insulin you need, especially before meals.
  • Even when SYMLIN is carefully added to your mealtime insulin therapy, your blood sugar may drop too low, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. If this low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) happens, it is seen within 3 hours after a SYMLIN injection. Severe low blood sugar makes it hard to think clearly, drive a car, use heavy machinery or do other risky activities where you could hurt yourself or others.
  • SYMLIN should only be used by people with type 2 and type 1 diabetes who:
    • already use their insulin as prescribed, but still need better blood sugar control.
    • will follow their doctor's instructions exactly.
    • will follow up with their doctor often.
    • will test their blood sugar levels before and after every meal, and at bedtime.
    • understand how to adjust SYMLIN and insulin doses.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Your chance for low blood sugar is higher if you:
    • do not reduce your insulin dose before meals at the beginning of SYMLIN treatment, as directed by your doctor.
    • use more SYMLIN or insulin than prescribed by your doctor.
    • change your insulin dose without checking your blood sugar.
    • eat less food than your usual meal.
    • are sick and cannot eat.
    • are more active than usual.
    • have a low blood sugar level before eating.
    • drink alcohol.

How should I use SYMLIN?
  • When you first start SYMLIN, your doctor should tell you to reduce the dose of insulin you take before meals by 50 percent. Future insulin changes should be directed by your doctor based on blood sugar testing.
  • The amount of SYMLIN you use will depend on whether you have type 2 or type 1 diabetes.
  • Never mix SYMLIN and insulin.
  • Injecting SYMLIN is similar to injecting insulin. Inject SYMLIN under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area (abdomen) or upper leg (thigh) and at least 2 inches away from your insulin injection site.
  • Do not transfer SYMLIN from the pen-injector to a syringe. This could result in a higher dose than intended, because SYMLIN in the pen-injector is a different strength than SYMLIN in the vial.
  • If you miss or forget a dose of SYMLIN, wait until the next meal and take your usual dose of SYMLIN at that meal. Do not take more than your usual dose of SYMLIN.
  • Do not take SYMLIN if you plan to eat a meal with fewer than 250 calories or less than 30 grams of carbohydrates. Do not inject SYMLIN if you skip a meal.
  • Opened pen-injectors or vials can be refrigerated or kept at a room temperature up to 86°F for up to 30 days.
What are the possible side effects of SYMLIN?
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a potentially serious side effect (see Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) section).
  • Nausea is the most common side effect with SYMLIN. Mild nausea is more likely during the first weeks after starting SYMLIN and usually does not last long. It is very important to start SYMLIN at a low dose and increase it as directed by your doctor. If nausea continues or bothers you, call your doctor right away.
  • Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Be sure to read the Medication Guide before using SYMLIN. For more information, please see the Patient Instructions for Use, which came with your pen-injector or vial.

Amylin Customer Support is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-349-8919.