What is Symlin in simple terms?

Symlin is a brand name for pramlintide acetate injection. The current DailyMed label describes it as an amylin analog for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use mealtime insulin and have not reached desired glycemic control despite optimized insulin therapy.

No. Symlin is not labeled as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. DailyMed identifies Symlin as an amylin analog. That makes it different from GLP-1 brands such as Victoza, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity.

Why does Symlin have a boxed warning?

The Symlin label has a boxed warning because use with insulin increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia, especially in type 1 diabetes. The label says severe hypoglycemia, when it happens, is usually seen within 2 to 3 hours after a Symlin injection.

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Basics

What Is Symlin?

Published May 6, 2026

Symlin is a diabetes medication sometimes incorrectly grouped into GLP-1 conversations. The active ingredient is pramlintide acetate, and its labeled class is an amylin analog. As of recent openFDA shortage data, the SymlinPen product history now includes a 2025 discontinuation listing.

Key Takeaways

Symlin is the brand name for pramlintide acetate injection, an amylin analog used with mealtime insulin in defined diabetes labeling.
Symlin is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The current label calls it an amylin analog.
openFDA shortage data lists SymlinPen 60 and SymlinPen 120 with a discontinued date of October 27, 2025.
The DailyMed label has a boxed warning for severe hypoglycemia when Symlin is used with insulin, especially in type 1 diabetes.
Symlin should be tracked by brand, active ingredient, class, route, source date, and discontinuation status.

1. What Is Symlin?

Symlin is the brand name for pramlintide acetate injection. The current DailyMed Symlin label describes Symlin as an amylin analog indicated for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use mealtime insulin and have not reached desired glycemic control despite optimized insulin therapy.

Key terminology includes:

Layer	Symlin example	What it tells you
Brand name	Symlin or SymlinPen	The marketed product name.
Active ingredient	Pramlintide acetate	The molecule in the product.
Class wording	Amylin analog	The label class, distinct from GLP-1 receptor agonist language.
Route	Subcutaneous injection	The labeled route.
Label context	Type 1 or type 2 diabetes with mealtime insulin	The public medical context.

This is why “Symlin is a GLP-1” is factually incorrect. While it may get grouped with GLP-1s because both categories impact appetite, gastric emptying, and post-meal glucose, the label class is distinctly different.

2. What Is Pramlintide?

Pramlintide acetate is the active ingredient in Symlin. DailyMed describes pramlintide as a synthetic analog of human amylin, a hormone made by pancreatic beta cells that contributes to glucose control after meals.

The Symlin label describes several post-meal effects: reduced glucagon after meals, slower gastric emptying, reduced post-meal glucose excursions, and reduced food intake in certain study settings.

Term	Definition
Pramlintide acetate	Active ingredient in Symlin.
Amylin analog	Label class for Symlin.
Human amylin	Natural hormone used as the reference point.
GLP-1 receptor agonist	Different label class used by drugs such as liraglutide and semaglutide.

3. Was Symlin Discontinued?

openFDA drug shortage data, last updated May 5, 2026, lists two pramlintide acetate injection records: SymlinPen 60 and SymlinPen 120. Both records show a discontinued date of October 27, 2025, with related information describing discontinuation of manufacture.

This status does not erase the FDA approval history or the historical DailyMed label, nor does it confirm whether individual pharmacies have remaining stock. FDA’s drug shortage FAQ states that discontinuations in the shortage database reflect manufacturer information and are informational.

Product listing	NDC in openFDA shortage data	Status wording	Discontinued date
SymlinPen 60	0310-6615-02	To Be Discontinued	October 27, 2025
SymlinPen 120	0310-6627-02	To Be Discontinued	October 27, 2025

4. When Was Symlin Approved?

FDA approved Symlin under NDA 21-332 in 2005. The FDA approval letter is dated March 16, 2005, and the DailyMed label lists initial U.S. approval in 2005.

Date	Event
March 16, 2005	FDA approval letter for Symlin, NDA 21-332.
December 18, 2019	DailyMed label update shown on the current SymlinPen label.
October 27, 2025	openFDA shortage data lists SymlinPen 60 and 120 discontinued.
May 5, 2026	openFDA shortage API metadata date checked.

5. Is Symlin the Same as Insulin?

Symlin is not insulin. The Symlin label says it is used with mealtime insulin in defined type 1 or type 2 diabetes contexts, and it specifies that Symlin and insulin should be given as separate injections and never mixed.

DailyMed’s boxed warning states that Symlin use with insulin increases severe hypoglycemia risk, especially in type 1 diabetes. The label also outlines that mealtime insulin is reduced when Symlin is initiated, requiring frequent glucose monitoring and adjustment by a qualified healthcare professional.

6. How Was Symlin Dosed in the Label?

Pen name	Label strength	Dose buttons described in label
SymlinPen 60	1000 mcg/mL, 1.5 mL multidose pen	15, 30, 45, and 60 mcg doses.
SymlinPen 120	1000 mcg/mL, 2.7 mL multidose pen	60 and 120 mcg doses.

7. Safety Language From the Symlin Label

The Symlin label has a boxed warning for severe hypoglycemia with insulin, especially in type 1 diabetes. DailyMed notes that severe hypoglycemia, when it occurs with Symlin, is usually seen within the first 2 to 3 hours after injection.

The label lists contraindications for serious hypersensitivity to Symlin or its ingredients, hypoglycemia unawareness, and confirmed gastroparesis. It also says pediatric use is not recommended because safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients and due to the severe hypoglycemia risk.

Other label details include:

Label area	Symlin fact
Oral medicines	Symlin slows gastric emptying, so timing can matter for medicines where rapid onset matters.
Pen sharing	SymlinPen should never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed.
Mixing	Symlin and insulin should not be mixed in one syringe or injection.
Common reactions	The label lists nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and headache among common adverse reactions.

8. Why Symlin Gets Mixed Up With GLP-1s

Symlin is often confused with GLP-1s because people sometimes group injectable diabetes and weight-loss medications together based on general effects like appetite, gastric emptying, or glucose control. However, official labels sort medications strictly by active ingredient, receptor or hormone pathway, and indication.

Comparing classifications:

Name	Active ingredient	Label class or receptor wording
Symlin	Pramlintide acetate	Amylin analog.
Victoza	Liraglutide	GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Ozempic	Semaglutide	GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Mounjaro	Tirzepatide	GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist.

For broader category background, see What Is a GLP-1?. For another older daily-injection brand, see What Is Victoza?. For tracking details safely, check our GLP-1 Dose Tracker.

9. What Should You Track for Symlin?

When tracking Symlin, note the following core details:

Field	Symlin entry
Brand	Symlin or SymlinPen.
Active ingredient	Pramlintide acetate.
Class	Amylin analog.
Route	Subcutaneous injection.
U.S. approval history	FDA approval letter dated March 16, 2005, NDA 21-332.
Label source	DailyMed SymlinPen label, updated December 18, 2019.
Product status source	openFDA shortage data lists SymlinPen 60 and 120 discontinued on October 27, 2025.
Warning note	Boxed warning for severe hypoglycemia with insulin, especially in type 1 diabetes.

Always consult a clinician or pharmacist regarding medication supply issues, discontinuation impacts, and alternative treatment plans based on current local availability and personal medical history.

10. What Is Symlin FAQ

What is Symlin in simple terms?

Symlin is a brand name for pramlintide acetate injection. The current DailyMed label describes it as an amylin analog for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use mealtime insulin and have not reached desired glycemic control despite optimized insulin therapy.
Is Symlin a GLP-1?

No. Symlin is not labeled as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. DailyMed identifies Symlin as an amylin analog. That makes it different from GLP-1 brands such as Victoza, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity.
Was Symlin discontinued?

openFDA drug shortage data lists both SymlinPen 60 and SymlinPen 120 with a discontinued date of October 27, 2025 and related information describing discontinuation of manufacture. That is a supply and product-status fact, not a statement that the old label never existed.
What is pramlintide?

Pramlintide acetate is the active ingredient in Symlin. The DailyMed label describes pramlintide as a synthetic analog of human amylin, a hormone made by pancreatic beta cells that contributes to post-meal glucose control.
Why does Symlin have a boxed warning?

The Symlin label has a boxed warning because use with insulin increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia, especially in type 1 diabetes. The label says severe hypoglycemia, when it happens, is usually seen within 2 to 3 hours after a Symlin injection.

11. Sources

References used for this article