Amylin is a hormone that your pancreas naturally makes alongside insulin every time you eat a meal. Think of insulin and amylin as a tag team - while insulin helps your cells absorb sugar from your blood, amylin handles three other important jobs to keep your blood sugar stable and help you feel satisfied after eating. People with diabetes often use a synthetic version called pramlintide because their bodies don't make enough amylin, and researchers are now discovering it might be a powerful tool for weight loss too.
Here's how amylin works its magic in your body: First, it tells your pancreas to dial down glucagon, a hormone that would otherwise dump stored sugar into your bloodstream - kind of like turning off a faucet you don't need running. Second, it slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, which means sugar enters your bloodstream more gradually instead of all at once. Finally, amylin travels to your brain and flips switches in areas that control hunger, making you feel full and satisfied sooner. This triple action makes amylin incredibly effective at managing both blood sugar spikes and appetite, which is why new combinations with other hormones are showing remarkable results for weight loss in clinical trials.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
15-120 mcg per meal (pramlintide)
Frequency
With each major meal
Administration
Subcutaneous injection immediately before meals
Half-Life
15–20 minutes
Notes
FDA-approved pramlintide must be used with insulin. Native amylin reference only — see pramlintide for therapeutic use. Nausea is the primary limiting side effect managed by gradual dose titration.
Why this matters
Short-acting satiety hormone; pramlintide extends this for clinical use.
Protocol cycle
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Evidence Score
0.71
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C165H261N51O55S2
Molecular Weight
3903.30 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3R)-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S,3R)-1-[[(2S)-1-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(4R,7S,10S,13S,16S,19R)-16-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-19-[[(2S)-2,6-diaminohexanoyl]amino]-7,13-bis[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-10-methyl-6,9,12,15,18-pentaoxo-1,2-dithia-5,8,11,14,17-pentazacycloicosane-4-carbonyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]pentanediamide
PubChem CID
16132430Potential Side Effects
Amylin discussions
Quick Facts
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection immediately before meals
- Typical Dose
- 15-120 mcg per meal (pramlintide)
- Frequency
- With each major meal
- References
- 0 curated + 49 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 48 registered
- Evidence Score
- 0.7 / 100
Frequently Asked Questions about Amylin
What is Amylin?
Amylin is a 37-amino-acid peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells in response to meals. It plays a complementary role to insulin in glucose regulation by suppressing glucagon secretion slowing gastric emptying and reducing food intake through central satiety mechanisms. Pramlintide (Symlin) is an FDA-approved synthetic amylin analog used alongside insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Amylin research has expanded significantly with the discovery that amylin analogs may have utility in obesity treatment and as complements to GLP-1 receptor agonists for enhanced weight loss.
How does Amylin work?
Amylin acts through the amylin receptor — a complex of the calcitonin receptor with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) expressed in the hypothalamus brainstem and peripheral tissues. In the pancreas amylin suppresses glucagon secretion from alpha cells reducing hepatic glucose output — an effect complementary to insulin's action on peripheral glucose uptake. In the stomach amylin slows gastric emptying reducing the rate of glucose absorption from meals. In the hypothalamus and area postrema amylin activates satiety circuits reducing meal size and caloric intake. The combination of glucagon suppression gastric slowing and central satiety makes amylin a comprehensive post-prandial glucose regulator. Long-acting amylin analogs including cagrilintide are in Phase 3 trials combined with semaglutide showing additive weight loss exceeding 25% of body weight.
What is the recommended dosage for Amylin?
The typical dose is 15-120 mcg per meal (pramlintide). With each major meal. Administration: Subcutaneous injection immediately before meals. FDA-approved pramlintide must be used with insulin. Native amylin reference only — see pramlintide for therapeutic use. Nausea is the primary limiting side effect managed by gradual dose titration.
What are the side effects of Amylin?
Nausea (very common especially initially). Vomiting (common). Hypoglycemia risk when combined with insulin (requires insulin dose adjustment). Injection site reactions (uncommon). Anorexia (intended effect, can be pronounced)
What is the Amylin cycle protocol?
Amylin is typically cycled as needed. Administered with each major meal, continuous use
Questions reflect common community inquiries. This is not medical advice.