Amylin Analog

Type 1 and LADA
1

I came across discussion by Dr.Bernstein in his book about "amylin analog" medicine. I was wondering if anyone is using this medicine? How is your experience with this drug along with insulin intake. I use insulin pump. Does this medicine comes in oral drug form or we have to take it using syringe?

Reason that I'm curious is that I want to curb the appetite and slow down food emptying from the stomach after major meal.

Here are some links about this drug.

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/amylin-analogs-for-the-treatment-of-diabetes-mellitus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-diabetic_medication

http://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/treatment-of-type-2-diabetes/medications-and-therapies/type-2-non-insulin-therapies/amylin-analog-treatment/

Thanks.

2

I think, but am not sure, that this is what Symlin is. I tried it several years ago and didn't like it much (it made me sick to the stomach after I took it, even after several weeks) and it would always, always make me go low. But I know some people love it and have a lot of success on it.

Leata

3

some T1 take metformin for appetite and delayed gut emptying. I would prioritise with a LCHF diet that I know several T1's are using for BG control and weight-loss, the same as a lot of T2's

it’s a long page and a few good video’s
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

For me, the more carbs we eat the more carbs we want. they don’t give up easy
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbliving/a/Food-Cravings.htm
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm

you may find it's best to redo your basal testing if you lower your carbs
http://diatribe.org/issues/26/thinking-like-a-pancreas

4

Symlin (Pramlintide) is essentially synthetic amylin. It's only available as a prescription and it's administered by injection.

Classified as an "incretin" hormone because it affects the production of other hormones, amylin acts on the central nervous system to

  • slow the emptying of the stomach's contents into the small intestine, where it is then absorbed into the bloodstream
  • blunt the secretion of glucagon by the pancreas (ironically, people with type 1 diabetes secrete extra glucagon right after meals), and
  • decrease appetite

By slowing digestion, reducing food intake, and minimizing glucagon production at mealtimes, amylin minimizes the blood glucose rise that occurs after meals.

- Gary Scheiner, Think Like A Pancreas (Boston: Da Capo Press, 2011), p. 50

5

Thanks everybody for participating in the discussion. As I use pump to get insulin, i dont want to get amylin analog in injection form. I read that it should not be mixed with insulin. So I was thinking if there any oral medication/ pill made of Amylin analog?

6

No, unfortunately. Symlin, like insulin, is a large protein molecule that would
be broken down by the acid and digestive enzymes in your stomach and intestines. That's why there is no oral insulin as yet.

7

I like the mechanism of these drugs, but I've always been pill shy. My Doc has wanted me on baby aspirin for years. Wont do it. I think I'm more comfortable with an injection. I sorta think that taking oral meds for long periods of time, sometimes ages one's liver. Being diabetic already, effectively, ages our organs. I'm protective of my liver. I treat it like some kinda organ primadonna. I'm short one pancreas already and don't want to come up short on another organ. I have always had high post-meal spikes. I think that met or Symlin could be good, but whats your guys's perspective on taking additional medications?