Symlin and Byetta: Two New Drugs Join the Battle Against Type 2 Diabetes

In 2005, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved two new drugs from Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a newcomer to the pharmaceutical scene, for use in the fight to control diabetes.� Symlin® (pramlintide acetate) and Byetta® (exenatide) are injectable medications that mimic the body's natural hormones that help control blood sugar levels.� Symlin is a replacement for amylin, a pancreatic hormone, while Byetta mimcs the action of exendin-4, a hormone that interacts with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the body to help regulate blood sugar.� The use of medications that mimc the body's natural hormones is an exciting new development in diabetes treatment that promises more effective blood sugar control without weight gain or potential liver damage.

Symlin


When a person's pancreas functions normally, it secretes two hormones that are very important for maintaining proper blood glucose levels.� As blood sugar levels rise after meals, insulin acts to move glucose into the muscles and organs for their use as an energy source.� Amylin, released in response to the rise in blood sugar, acts as a brake on the system by telling the liver to slow down its conversion of its stored glucagon into glucose.

In Type 2 diabetes, this system runs out of control.� The pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or amylin, or any at all.� The liver has no way to know when to stop and blood sugar levels rise out of control.

Symlin replaces the missing amylin, helping the body's metabolism to regulate itself in a more normal manner.� This reduces or eliminates the blood glucose peaks after meals and snacks that are so troublesome for diabetics.� The cumulative effects of these hyperglycemic peaks cause damage to the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system.�

Since Symlin is used as an adjunct to insulin therapy, one of its benefits is a reduction in insulin dosages.� Symlin may also suppress appetite to some extent by helping the body to regulate itself better, reducing the demand for glucose.