Pramlintide is an analog of human amylin. Amylin is co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells and acts centrally to slow gastric emptying, suppress postprandial glucagon secretion, and decrease food intake. These actions complement those of insulin to regulate blood glucose concentrations. Amylin is relatively deficient in patients with type 2 diabetes, depending on the severity of beta-cell secretory failure, and is essentially absent in patients with type 1 diabetes. Through mechanisms similar to those of amylin, pramlintide improves overall glycemic control, reduces postprandial glucose levels, and reduces bodyweight in patients with diabetes using mealtime insulin. SYMLIN® (pramlintide acetate) is indicated for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use mealtime insulin and have failed to achieve desired glycemic control despite optimal insulin therapy.

Insulin detemir, a long-acting human insulin analog, is sold under the brand name LEVEMIR to improve glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Insulin detemir binds to the insulin receptor. Receptor-bound insulin lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and by inhibiting the output of glucose from the liver. The primary activity of insulin detemir is the regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin detemir crosses the BBB and reduces food intake, it improves weight management by an enhanced and prolonged centrally mediated reduction of energy intake.

Insulin aspart, a human insulin analogue, is a rapid-acting, parenteral blood glucose-lowering agent. Insulin aspart was marketed under the brand name NovoLog for the treatment of adult patients with diabetes mellitus, for the control of hyperglycemia. The primary activity of the drug is the regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin aspart binds to the insulin receptors on muscle and fat cells and lower blood glucose by facilitating the cellular uptake of glucose and simultaneously inhibiting the output of glucose from the liver. This drug has an off-label treatment for gestational diabetes (temporary diabetes caused by diabetes).

Insulin glargine, a long-acting form of insulin, was marketed under the brand name LANTUS. Lantus is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who require basal (long-acting) insulin for the control of hyperglycemia. The primary activity of insulin glargine is regulation of glucose metabolism. It lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. The off-label use of insulin glargine is the treatment type 2 diabetes in children and the treatment of gestational diabetes.