Pramlintide

(PRAM lin tide)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Unsafe low blood sugar may happen when giving this drug to your child. Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects his/her blood sugar.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to pramlintide or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has slow stomach clearing.
• Not if you cannot tell when your child's blood sugar is low.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

How is this drug given?

• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box and take the box back to your doctor when it is full.
• Give this drug at some other site from where you gave your child's insulin.
• Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with insulin.
• Have your child follow the diet and workout plan your child's doctor told you about.
• It is given as a shot right before a meal into the fatty part of the skin.
• You may need to lower the dose of insulin your child takes. Talk with the doctor.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It starts to work within an hour.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Never give a missed dose. Skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose and your child has already eaten, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Do not run out of this drug.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Tell your child's doctor if your child has had repeated low blood sugar or if you do not know the signs of very low blood sugar.
• Have your child's blood work checked often. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Get your child an eye exam and visit the foot doctor every year.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Tell your child's doctor if your child is taking any other drug to speed up food clearing from his/her stomach.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Low blood sugar may occur. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. This may get better once your child is on a stable dose of this drug.
• Weight loss.
• Not hungry.
• Irritation where the shot is given.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows any signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color or sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child shows signs of low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store unopened vials in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• You may store opened vials at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 1 month.
• Protect opened vials from heat.
• Protect opened vials from light.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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