Adjunctive therapy with pramlintide in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is associated with both microvascular and macrovascular complications. Despite an array of treatment options available, achievement of euglycemia in most patients with diabetes is still lacking. Pramlintide acetate, a synthetic analog of the human hormone amylin and belonging to a new class of agents, was approved in March 2005 as adjunctive treatment in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. To evaluate the data available on the efficacy and safety of pramlintide, we conducted a search of MEDLINE (January 1966-May 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970-May 2006). Bibliographies of clinical trials were reviewed for additional references. The literature reviewed demonstrated that pramlintide is effective in reducing levels of glycosylated hemoglobin and potentially preventing weight gain. The most commonly reported adverse effects associated with pramlintide were nausea, anorexia, and hypoglycemia. These adverse effects occurred more often during the initiation of therapy and were usually mild to moderate in nature. Whether this therapy is a cost-effective option for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus is yet to be determined.