Exubera - inhalable insulin for diabetics
January 28th, 2006Exubera, a rapid-acting inhalable form of insulin, has been approved for use this week by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes often require doses of insulin throughout the day to regulate their blood sugar level. This normally requires the use of injectable insulin or in some cases an insulin pump.
The US population of diabetic patients is growing rapidly, mostly due to the increasing occurence of Type 2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity. Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes of which 95% are Type 2. In some cases, Type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed without requiring insulin doses through diet, exercise, and weight management.
