pramlintide

drug

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Pramlintide is an injectable synthetic hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. It is based on amylin, a human hormone. Pramlintide works by slowing down the absorption of food from the stomach and by reducing the production of glucagon, a hormone that normally stimulates the liver to release glucose. This dual action helps to prevent sharp increases in blood sugar after meals. While effective, pramlintide can cause severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) in patients with type 1 diabetes.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

antidiabetic drug
Other agents
Pramlintide is an injectable synthetic hormone (based on the human hormone amylin) that regulates blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of food in the stomach and by inhibiting glucagon, which normally stimulates liver glucose production. Exenatide is an injectable antihyperglycemic drug that works similarly…
Read More
Pramlintide is an injectable synthetic hormone (based on the human hormone amylin) that regulates blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of food in the stomach and by inhibiting glucagon, which normally stimulates liver glucose production. Exenatide is an injectable antihyperglycemic drug that works similarly…
Read More