Exubera - inhalable insulin for diabetics
Exubera, 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.
For those diabetic patients who do require insulin doses to manage their blood glucose levels, having an inhalable alternative may offer some welcome flexibility in their daily routine. The inhaler is not a direct replacement for injectable insulin, however, as the inhaled insulin is presently not effective for as long as the injectable doses. Diabetic patients will also continue to need finger pricking for blood glucose monitoring.
Exubera is expected to be available the US this summer, at a cost of around four or five dollars per day.
Links:
- FDA Approves Inhalable Version of Insulin, Washington Post, January 28, 2006
- Pfizer Receives FDA Approval for Exubera, the First Inhalable Form of Insulin for Controlling Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Adults, Pfizer press release, January 27, 2006
- American Diabetes Association
