Working along with insulin, this medication first came on the market in 2005 and goes by the trade name of Symlin. Diabetes patients have trouble controlling their blood sugar and converting glucose to energy for cellular use. These two drugs in combination help to regulate this process more efficiently. Symlin® replaces the body’s amylin, a hormone that, along with insulin, helps to control the body’s blood sugar levels. Just as diabetics produce little or no insulin, amylin levels are also low or nonexistent. Amylin determines the sugar level in the blood, and how quickly it’s released. Insulin gets the sugar out of the blood and into muscles and tissues. This is the role that is taken over by Symlin. Diabetes patients use the drug to feel full after meals (a common symptom of diabetes is hunger, which leads to obesity). Less food means less sugar entering the blood stream. It also causes slower digestion, which helps regulate the flow of sugar into the blood, allowing the body to maintain a more stable blood sugar level. It also causes the liver to send less sugar into the blood stream.
Diabetes, Symlin, and Possible Side Effects
While minimal, the most common side effects with Symlin and diabetes are low blood sugar (especially for type 1 diabetics), nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite. Nausea occurs in 48% of those who use Symlin. Approximately 17% experience a loss of appetite, and up to 16.8% will have a hypoglycemic reaction (low blood sugar). Nausea and vomiting account occur in about 11% of users. Other possible Symlin side effects include headaches, abdominal pain, joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, sore throat, and allergic reactions. Blood sugar levels must be closely monitored, or one may disturb the delicate balance between insulin and Symlin. Diabetes patients must pay close attention to guard against both high and low blood sugar “spikes” that may be caused by improper dosages of either medicine.
Symlin and Diabetes – Do You Have Other Options?
Can the body’s metabolism be regulated without the use of drugs? Many would say yes. Just as Symlin and insulin influence blood sugar levels, diet can have a powerful effect, if you understand how particular foods behave in the body. Refined carbohydrates like white bread and sugary sweets are immediately converted into blood sugar, causing spikes in blood sugar levels. High fiber foods such as brown rice, whole wheat, barley and oats digest more slowly and cause less of an unhealthy spike. Vegetables low in starch – broccoli, green beans, and spinach – also provide important fiber and are low in carbohydrates. Keep track of starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn, which will raise blood sugar. The most important thing is balance. A healthy diet full of vitamins and nutrients will help the body to naturally control blood sugar and maintain the desired weight.
