CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
Pramlintide is an analog of human amylin. Amylin is
colocated with insulin in secretory granules and cosecreted with insulin by
pancreatic beta cells in response to food intake. Amylin and insulin show similar
fasting and postprandial patterns in healthy individuals (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Secretion Profile of Amylin and Insulin in
Healthy Adults
In patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there is
reduced secretion from pancreatic beta cells of both insulin and amylin in
response to food.
Amylin affects the rate of postprandial glucose
appearance through a variety of mechanisms, as determined by nonclinical
studies. Amylin slows gastric emptying (i.e., the rate at which food is released
from the stomach to the small intestine) without altering the overall
absorption of nutrients. In addition, amylin suppresses glucagon secretion (not
normalized by insulin alone), which leads to suppression of endogenous glucose
output from the liver. Amylin also regulates food intake due to centrally-mediated
modulation of appetite.
In human studies, pramlintide, acting as an amylin
analog, slows gastric emptying, reduces the postprandial rise in plasma
glucagon, and modulates satiety leading to decreased caloric intake.
Pharmacodynamics
In clinical studies in patients with type 1 diabetes and
patients with type 2 diabetes using mealtime insulin, SYMLIN reduced mean
postprandial glucose concentrations, reduced glucose fluctuations, and reduced
food intake.
Reduction In Postprandial Glucose Concentrations
In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled,
crossover study, 19 subjects with type 2 diabetes using insulin lispro, 19
subjects with type 1 diabetes using regular human insulin, and 21 subjects with
type 1 diabetes using insulin lispro underwent mixed-meal tests. SYMLIN
administered subcutaneously immediately prior to a meal reduced plasma glucose
concentrations following the meal when used with mealtime insulin (rapid-acting
insulin analogs or regular human insulin) (Figure 2). When rapid-acting insulin
analogs were used, plasma glucose concentrations tended to rise during the
interval between 150 minutes following SYMLIN injection and the next meal [see DOSAGE
AND ADMINISTRATION].
Figure 2: Postprandial Plasma Glucose Profiles in
Patients with Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes Receiving SYMLIN and Insulin
Compared to Those Receiving Insulin Alone
While SYMLIN reduces postprandial glucose, clinical
studies employing a controlled hypoglycemic challenge have demonstrated that
SYMLIN does not alter the counter-regulatory hormonal response to insulin-induced
hypoglycemia. Likewise, in SYMLIN-treated patients, the perception of
hypoglycemic symptoms was not altered with plasma glucose concentrations as low
as 45 mg/dL. In a separate clinical trial pramlintide also reduced the 24-hour
glucose fluctuations based upon 24-hour glucose monitoring.
Reduced Food Intake
A single, subcutaneous dose of 30 mcg of SYMLIN to
patients with type 1 diabetes and 120 mcg of SYMLIN to patients with type 2
diabetes administered 1 hour prior to an unlimited buffet meal was associated
with reductions in total caloric intake (placebo-subtracted mean changes of
~21% and 23%, respectively), which occurred without decreases in meal duration.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
The absolute bioavailability of pramlintide following a
single subcutaneous dose of SYMLIN is approximately 30% to 40%. Subcutaneous
administration of different doses of SYMLIN into the abdominal area or thigh of
healthy individuals showed a linear, dose-dependent increase in maximum plasma
concentrations (Cmax) and overall exposure (AUC) (Table 5).
Table 5: Mean Pharmacokinetic Parameters Following
Administration of Single Subcutaneous Doses of SYMLIN
Subcutaneous Dose (mcg) |
AUC (0-∞) (pmol*min/L) |
Cmax (pmol/L) |
Tmax (min) |
Elimination t½ (min) |
30 |
3750 |
39 |
21 |
55 |
60 |
6778 |
79 |
20 |
49 |
90 |
8507 |
102 |
19 |
51 |
120 |
11970 |
147 |
21 |
48 |
Injection of SYMLIN into the arm in obese patients with
type 1 or type 2 diabetes showed higher overall exposure (20%-36%) with greater
variability (% CV for AUC: 73%-106%), compared with exposure after injection of
SYMLIN into the abdominal area or thigh.
Relative bioavailability of pramlintide was not
significantly different between obese and non-obese patients and based on BMI
or skin fold thickness. Injections administered with 6.0-mm and 12.7-mm needles
yielded similar bioavailability.
Distribution
SYMLIN does not extensively bind to red blood cells or
albumin (approximately 40% of the drug is unbound in plasma).
Metabolism And Elimination
In healthy individuals, the half-life of pramlintide is
approximately 48 minutes. The primary metabolite, Des-lys1
pramlintide (2-37 pramlintide), is biologically active in vitro. Overall
exposure (AUC) to pramlintide is relatively constant with repeat dosing of
SYMLIN, indicating no bioaccumulation.
Specific Populations
Renal Impairment
No studies have been conducted in patients with end-stage
renal disease. In a single-dose pharmacokinetic study in patients with type 1
diabetes, 60 mcg of SYMLIN was administered to 4 patients with normal renal
function (ClCr >90 mL/min), 9 patients with mild renal impairment (ClCr
60-89 mL/min), 5 patients with moderate renal impairment (ClCr 30-59 mL/min)
and 3 patients with severe renal impairment (ClCr 15-29 mL/min). No
statistically significant differences were noted in total (AUC0-∞) and
peak (Cmax) exposure of pramlintide for mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment
categories in comparison to patients with normal renal function; although,
inter-patient variability in pharmacokinetic parameters was high.
Hepatic Impairment
Pharmacokinetic studies have not been conducted in
patients with hepatic impairment.
Geriatric
Pharmacokinetic studies have not been conducted in the
geriatric population [see Use In Specific Populations].
Pediatric
The efficacy and safety of SYMLIN have not been
established in the pediatric population. The use of SYMLIN is not recommended
in pediatric patients due to the risk of severe hypoglycemia [see WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS].
Gender
No study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of
gender on pramlintide pharmacokinetics.
Race/Ethnicity
No study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of
ethnicity on pramlintide pharmacokinetics.
Drug Interactions
Effect Of Pre-Mixing SYMLIN With Insulin
Pharmacokinetic profiles of pramlintide and insulins
after coadministration of 30 mcg SYMLIN with different insulins (regular, NPH,
and 70/30 premixed formulations of recombinant human insulin) as one
subcutaneous injection, premixed in one syringe, were compared to those
observed after the coadministration of SYMLIN and different insulins given as
separate subcutaneous injections. The effects of premixing on pramlintide
pharmacokinetics varied across the different insulin products with a maximum
decrease of 40% in pramlintide Cmax and a maximum increase of 36% in pramlintide
AUC0-∞. Similarly, effects of premixing on insulin pharmacokinetics
varied across different insulin products with a maximum increase of 15% in
insulin Cmax and up to a 20% increase in insulin AUC0-600min. Always administer
SYMLIN and insulin as separate injections and never mix [see WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS].
Acetaminophen
When 1000 mg acetaminophen was given within 0, 1, and 2
hours after a 120 mcg SYMLIN injection in patients with type 2 diabetes (n=24),
acetaminophen Cmax decreased by 29%, 23%, and 20%, respectively compared to
placebo. The time to maximum plasma concentration or Tmax increased by 72, 48,
and 48 minutes, respectively. SYMLIN did not significantly affect acetaminophen
Tmax or Cmax when acetaminophen was administered 1 to 2 hours before SYMLIN
injection. SYMLIN did not affect acetaminophen AUC regardless of the time of
acetaminophen administration in relation to SYMLIN injection.
Oral Contraceptives
When a single dose of a combination oral contraceptive
product, containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 300 mcg norgestrel, was
administered 15 minutes after SYMLIN injection (90 mcg dose) in healthy female
subjects, there was no statistically significant change in the Cmax and AUC of
ethinyl estradiol. However, the norgestrel Cmax was reduced by about 30% and
Tmax was delayed by 45 minutes; there was no effect on norgestrel AUC. The
clinical relevance of this change is unknown.
Ampicillin
The effect of concomitant administration of SYMLIN and
ampicillin was evaluated in healthy volunteers. The administration of a single
oral 500 mg dose of ampicillin 15 minutes after a single dose of SYMLIN (90
mcg) did not alter the Cmax or AUC for ampicillin. However, the Tmax for ampicillin
was delayed by approximately 60 minutes.
Clinical Studies
A total of 2333 patients with type 1 diabetes and 1852
patients with type 2 diabetes received SYMLIN in controlled clinical trials.
Type 1 Diabetes
The efficacy and safety of SYMLIN were evaluated in 3
(26-52-week), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients
with type 1 diabetes. In these studies, insulin adjustments were minimized in
order to isolate the SYMLIN effect with insulin adjustments allowed, at the investigator’s
discretion, when excessive hypoglycemia was encountered. Patients participating
in these 3 trials had a mean age of 40 years, a mean duration of diabetes of 17
years, and a mean body mass index of 25.9 kg/m².
Table 6 summarizes the 6-month results for those patients
assigned to the 30 or 60 mcg dose of SYMLIN or placebo.
Table 6: Mean (SE) Change in HbA1c and Insulin at 6
Months in the Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Patients with Type 1
Diabetes for the Intent-to-Treat Population
Variable |
Trial 1 |
Trial 2 |
Trial 3 |
SYMLIN (30/60 mcg)
N=243 |
Placebo
N=237 |
SYMLIN (60 mcg)
N=148 |
Placebo
N=147 |
SYMLIN (60 mcg TID)
N=164 |
SYMLIN (60 mcg QID)
N=161 |
Placebo
N=154 |
Baseline HbA1c (%)(SD) |
8.7 (1.33) |
8.9 (1.46) |
9.0 (1.12) |
9.1 (1.08) |
8.9 (1.1) |
8.9 (1.0) |
9.0 (1.1) |
LSM Change in HbA1c at 6 Months Relative to Baseline (%) (SE) |
-0.58 (0.07)1 |
-0.25 (0.07) |
-0.24 (0.09)1 |
+0.08 (0.09) |
-0.44 (0.07)1 |
-0.44 (-0.07) |
-0.19 (0.08) |
Placebo-Subtracted LSM change in HbAic at 6 Months (%) |
-0.341 |
NA |
-0.321 |
NA |
-0.251 |
-0.251 |
NA |
Mean Insulin Doses at Baseline: Mealtime/Bolus (U) (SE) |
NM |
NM |
29.5 (1.4) |
28.5 (1.1) |
19.9 (1.2) |
19.8 (2.2) |
19.8 (1.3) |
Mean Change in Insulin Doses (U) at 6 Months: Mealtime/Bolus (SE) |
NM |
NM |
-2.0 (0.5)1 |
+0.3 (0.4) |
+0.6 (0.8) |
-0.8 (0.7) |
+0.3 (1.4) |
Mean Insulin Doses at Baseline: Basal (U) (SE) |
NM |
NM |
21.0 (1.1) |
21.0 (1.1) |
33.1 (1.7) |
33.7 (1.6) |
31.9 (1.8) |
Mean Change in Insulin Doses (U) at 6 Months: Basal (SE) |
NM |
NM |
+0.2 (0.3) |
-0.3 (0.4) |
-0.1 (0.9) |
-0.6 (0.7) |
+0.6 (0.7) |
SD: standard deviation; LSM: least squares mean; SE:
standard error; U: Units; NM: not measured; TID: 3 times a day; QID: 4 times a
day.
1 Statistically significant reduction compared to placebo (p-value <0.05). |
In the three studies, from a mean baseline body weight of
75.3 kg, 73.3 kg, and 76.6 kg, respectively, after randomization there were
corresponding mean reductions of -0.8 kg, -1.6 kg, and -1.3
kg (60 mcg TID) and -0.8 kg (60 mcg QID) in the SYMLIN treatment group
compared to mean increases of +0.8 kg, +0.4 kg, and +0.7 kg in the placebo
treatment group.
SYMLIN Dose-Titration Study
A dose-titration study of SYMLIN was conducted in
patients with type 1 diabetes who had a mean age of 41 years, a mean duration
of diabetes of 20 years, and a mean body mass index of 28 kg/m². Patients with
a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.1% (range 6.5%-10.7%) were randomized to receive
either SYMLIN or placebo, both administered before major meals as add-on to
insulin therapy. SYMLIN was initiated at a dose of 15 mcg and titrated upward
at weekly intervals in 15 mcg increments to maintenance doses of 30 or 60 mcg,
based on whether patients experienced nausea. Upon initiation of SYMLIN, the
insulin dose (mostly the mealtime insulin) was reduced by 30% to 50% in order
to minimize the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Once the maintenance dose of SYMLIN
was reached, insulin dose adjustments were made according to standard clinical
practice, based on pre- and post-meal blood glucose monitoring.
Table 7 summarizes the 6-month results for the
dose-titration study.
Table 7: Mean (SE) Change in HbA1c and Insulin at 6
Months in the Dose-Titration Study in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes for
Intent-to-Treat Population
Variable |
SYMLIN (all doses)
N=148 |
Placebo
N=147 |
Mean Baseline HbA1c (%), (SD) |
8.1 (0.8) |
8.1 (0.8) |
LSM Change in HbA1c at Week 29 Relative to Baseline (%) |
-0.47 (0.07) |
-0.49 (0.07) |
Placebo-Subtracted LSM change in HbA1c at 6 Months (%) (SE) |
0.03 (0.10) |
NA |
Mean Insulin Doses at Baseline: Mealtime/Bolus (U) (SD) |
26.5 (14.2) |
28.4 (16.3) |
Mean Percent Change in Insulin Doses (U) at 6 Months: Mealtime/Bolus (SE) |
-7.1 (0.9)1 |
-2.4 (1.2) |
Mean Insulin Doses at Baseline: Basal (U) (SD) |
29.4 (19.6) |
28.1 (17.5) |
Mean Change in Insulin Doses (U) at 6 Months: Basal (SE) |
+1.4 (0.9) |
+2.6 (1.2) |
SD: standard deviation; LSM: least squares mean; SE:
standard error; U: Units.
1 Statistically significant reduction compared to placebo (p-value <0.05). |
In the dose titration study, from mean baseline body
weight of 81.5 kg, after randomization there was a mean reduction of
-1.33 kg in the SYMLIN treatment group compared to a mean increase of +1.25
kg in the placebo treatment group.
Type 2 Diabetes
The efficacy and safety of SYMLIN were evaluated in 2 (a
26-week and a 52-week) randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trials in
patients with type 2 diabetes. These trials enrolled patients with inadequate
glycemic control (HbA1c >8%) on fixed dose insulin. In both trials,
SYMLIN or placebo was added to existing insulin therapies. Concomitant use of a
sulfonylurea and/or metformin was permitted. Insulin doses were to be kept as
stable as possible throughout the treatment period to isolate the SYMLIN effect.
Patients participating in these 2 trials had a mean age
of 57 years and a mean duration of diabetes of 13 years. Mean body mass index
was 32.9 kg/m² for SYMLIN and 32.2 kg/m² for placebo.
Table 8 summarizes the 6-month results for each trial for
those patients assigned to the 120 mcg dose of SYMLIN and placebo.
Table 8: Mean (SE) Change in HbA1c and Insulin at 6
Months in the Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Patients with Type 2
Diabetes for the Intent-to-Treat Population
Variable |
Trial 1 |
Trial 2 |
SYMLIN (120 mcg)
N=166 |
Placebo
N=161 |
SYMLIN (120 mcg)
N=126 |
Placebo
N=123 |
Baseline HbAic (%) (SD) |
9.0 (0.08) |
9.3 (0.10) |
9.3 (1.1) |
9.5 (1.4) |
LSM Change in HbA1c at 6 Months Relative to Baseline (%) (SE) |
-0.66 (0.08)1 |
-0.32 (0.09) |
-0.36 (0.10)1 |
-0.06 (0.10) |
Placebo-Subtracted LSM change in HbA1c at 6 Months (%) |
-0.341 |
NA |
-0.301 |
NA |
Insulin Dose at Baseline: Mealtime/Bolus (U) (SE) |
20.7 (1.6) |
21.4 (1.5) |
22.2 (1.8) |
22.0 (1.6) |
Mean Change in Insulin Doses (U) at 6 Months: Mealtime/Bolus (SE) |
-0.7 (0.5) |
-0.3 (0.6) |
-0.0 (0.8)1 |
+1.6 (0.7) |
Insulin Dose at Baseline: Basal(U)(SE) |
48.0 (1.9) |
52.4 (2.1) |
33.2 (1.4) |
30.9 (1.6) |
Mean Change in Insulin Doses (U) at 6 Months: Basal (SE) |
+0.01 (0.8) |
+1.1 (1.0) |
-1.2 (0.8) |
+1.3 (0.7) |
SD: standard deviation; LSM: least squares mean; SE:
standard error; U: Units.
1 Statistically significant reduction compared to placebo (p-value <0.05). |
In both studies, from a mean baseline body weight of 96.7
kg, and 85.6 kg, respectively, after randomization there were corresponding
mean reductions of -1.4 kg, and -1.6 kg in the SYMLIN treatment group
compared to mean increases of +0.3 kg, and +0.1 kg in the placebo treatment
group.