Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

Pramlintide (Symlin) is an amylin analog that serves a specific role in the management of diabetes, particularly in patients who are already using insulin for their diabetes management. The primary reason for using pramlintide is to allow patients to use less insulin.

Amylin is a hormone that is co-secreted with insulin by the beta cells of the pancreas. It plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis by slowing gastric emptying, promoting satiety after meals, and inhibiting glucagon secretion. By mimicking the effects of amylin, pramlintide helps to control postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose levels, which can lead to a decrease in the required insulin dosage. This reduction in insulin needs is beneficial for managing the risk of insulin-induced hypoglycemia and weight gain that can accompany higher insulin doses.

The other options reflect effects that do not align with the primary therapeutic goals of pramlintide. Increasing insulin dosage would be counterproductive in patients looking to manage their diabetes more effectively with a reduced insulin burden. Promoting weight gain is generally not a desirable effect in diabetic management; instead, pramlintide has been shown to help with weight loss or maintenance when used appropriately