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Symlin for Weight Loss in Non Diabetics

Symlin is a drug designed to help diabetics with insulin control. Because it functions to control insulin there is the assumption that it can also help non-diabetics with weight loss, as insulin regulates and limits glucose, which contributes to weight gain. These theories are without value.

  1. General Information

    • Symlin is an antihyperglycemic agent, which means that it functions to copy amylin, a naturally occurring hormone in the human body. Amylin, when secreted with insulin, helps your body regulate insulin. Diabetics do not have the ability to regulate the hormone insulin, which you produce when food enters your body. Specifically, insulin helps to regulate glucose or sugar. Doctors prescribe Symlin when diabetic patients are still unable to maintain proper glucose levels, even when they have injected insulin before eating food. Symlin is also a drug that you inject under your skin prior to eating.

    Not FDA-Approved

    • Although people theorize that using Symlin will assist your body with regulating glucose levels, the use of it for non-diabetics has no FDA approval. The drug is designed specifically for diabetics. Additionally, there has been no research conducted in the United States that validates the weight-loss theories. In 2008, a few European studies indicated slight weight loss from injecting Symlin in non-diabetic patients, but these results have not been replicated in the United States.

    Side Effects and Drawbacks

    • There is not reliable information regarding Symlin use for non-diabetics. Additionally, the drug itself has various side effects that outweigh the only slight weight loss that you may undergo. Moreover, Sean Kelley of Pokedandprodded.health.com notes that there have been some deaths in 2008 from pancreatitis, which has been seen to be a side effect of Symlin. The other drawbacks are that Symlin is quite expensive. A 30-day supply of the drug is about $250 dollars. This is far beyond the cost of other weight loss techniques, dieting, gym membership, and supplements. Moreover, it is unlikely that an insurance company will cover Symlin, especially if you are not diabetic. In sum, Symlin is not an appropriate drug for weight loss.

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