In adult patients with diabetes not adequately controlled on mealtime insulin

What You Should Know About SYMLIN

SYMLIN^® (pramlintide acetate) injection is available only as the SymlinPen Pen-Injector. The SymlinPen comes in two dose forms: 60 micrograms and 120 micrograms. The amount of SYMLIN you use will depend on whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the SymlinPen that is right for you. SYMLIN initiation, required SYMLIN dose escalation and insulin dose adjustments must be guided by your healthcare provider's instructions and may require more frequent blood sugar monitoring. Additional things to consider when using SYMLIN >

Single Patient Use Only

Using SYMLIN and insulin with type 1 diabetes

• When starting SYMLIN, you will need to reduce your dose of mealtime insulin. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to reduce your dose of mealtime insulin the right way.
• You must check your blood sugar as often as your healthcare provider tells you to, which may include before and after every meal and at bedtime.
• The usual starting dose of SYMLIN for people who have type 1 diabetes is 15 micrograms (mcg) injected under your skin.
• Inject SYMLIN under your skin (subcutaneously) just before a major meal. A major meal must have at least 250 calories or 30 grams of carbohydrate.
• If you have not had any nausea for 3 days or more after your dose of SYMLIN is changed, your healthcare provider may tell you to slowly increase your dose of SYMLIN. Do not increase your dose of SYMLIN unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea or low blood sugar after your dose of SYMLIN is changed. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to do.
• Your healthcare provider may make changes to your insulin dose to better control your blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should tell you what the right dose of insulin is for you.

Using SYMLIN and insulin with type 2 diabetes

• When starting SYMLIN, you will need to reduce your dose of mealtime insulin. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to reduce your dose of mealtime insulin the right way.
• You must check your blood sugar as often as your healthcare provider advises you to, which may include before and after every meal and at bedtime.
• The usual starting dose of SYMLIN for people who have type 2 diabetes is 60 micrograms (mcg) injected under your skin.
• Inject SYMLIN under your skin (subcutaneously) just before a major meal. A major meal must have at least 250 calories or 30 grams of carbohydrate.
• If you have not had any nausea for 3 days or more after your dose of SYMLIN is changed, your healthcare provider may tell you to increase your dose of SYMLIN. Do not increase your dose of SYMLIN unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea or low blood sugar after your dose of SYMLIN is changed. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to do.
• Your healthcare provider may make changes to your insulin dose to better control your blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should tell you what the right dose of insulin is for you.

Additional considerations when using SYMLIN

• Read the Instructions for Use and the Medication Guide that come with your SYMLIN for information about the right way to use SYMLIN.
• Use SYMLIN exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much SYMLIN to use and when to use it.
• Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed.
• If you stop taking SYMLIN for any reason, such as surgery or illness, talk to your healthcare provider about how to re-start SYMLIN.
• To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, it is important that you plan your meals and physical activity every day while you use SYMLIN. Plan for what you will eat and when you will eat your meals.
• The amount of SYMLIN you use will depend on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
• The way you inject SYMLIN is similar to the way you inject insulin. Inject SYMLIN under the skin of your stomach area (abdomen) or upper leg (thigh). Inject SYMLIN at a site that is more than 2 inches away from your insulin injection. Do not inject SYMLIN and insulin in the same site.
• To help reduce the chances of getting a reaction at the injection site, allow SYMLIN to come to room temperature before injecting.
• Use a new needle for each SYMLIN injection. Do not reuse or share your needles with other people. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.
• Never mix SYMLIN and insulin. Insulin can affect SYMLIN when they are mixed together.
• Do not use SYMLIN if the liquid looks cloudy.
• If you take more than your prescribed dose of SYMLIN, you may get nauseous or vomit, and may not be able to eat the amount of food you usually eat. If you take more SYMLIN than your prescribed dose, pay careful attention to the amount of insulin you use because you may be at more risk for low blood sugar. Contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
• 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 share your SymlinPen with other people, even if the needle is changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.

Your chance for severe low blood sugar is higher if you:

• do not follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to reduce your insulin use before meals
• use more SYMLIN or insulin than prescribed by your healthcare provider
• 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 to Use SYMLIN