Most of the 38 million people living with diabetes People in the US use daily injections or insulin pumps to keep glucose at safe levels — but new research suggests a third option may be just as effective.
In a study led by Dr. Irl B. Hirsch, M.D., medical director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of Washington Medical Center, inhaled form of insulin – Similar to asthma inhalers – Works in the same way as injections or pumps to control type 1 diabetes.
The research was presented last week at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida.
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The clinical trials tested a product called Afrezza, an inhaled basal insulin manufactured by California-based MannKind Corporation.
Afrezza is the only inhaled insulin on the market, available since its FDA approval in June 2014.
A recent study found that an inhaled form of insulin is as effective as injections or a pump in controlling type 1 diabetes. (iStock/Mankind)
Benefits of the third option
Insulin in people with type 1 diabetes necessary for survivalHirsch told Fox News Digital in an interview.
“With continuous glucose sensing, glucose control has improved dramatically — but not everyone can reach targets with multiple injections or pumps, and each therapy has multiple advantages and disadvantages,” he added.
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With pumps, people have to wear equipment, which leads to skin problems,
They also have to purchase additional items.
Blood sugar levels may also increase reduce with exerciseHirsch warned that this could be problematic.
Pictured here is ‘Afrezza,’ an inhaled basal insulin made by California-based MannKind Corporation. (Mankind)
“Overall, injections may be more convenient for some people, but they are not as effective as pump patients,” he said.
With Afrezza, the product is inhaled into the lungs before a meal, and the fast-acting insulin reduces the glucose surge often seen after a meal, Hirsch said.
“Patients with type 1 diabetes should consider this as another option to mealtime insulin, and talk to their doctor about this option.”
during 17-Week StudyResearchers evaluated outcomes for 141 adults who were asked to either use the Afrezza inhaler or continue with traditional methods of injection or pump delivery.
At week 17, all participants began taking the inhaler for the next 13 weeks.
Dr. Irle B. Hirsch, M.D., medical director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of Washington Medical Center, led the new study. (Mankind)
All groups were evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring at the start of the study, at 17 weeks, and again at 30 weeks.
In the inhaled insulin group, 30% of participants reached their goal. Target Glucose Level (blood sugar less than 7%) while 17% of people using injections and pumps.
There was no difference in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) between the two groups.
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“In general, there were no differences in our primary endpoint, HbA1c, which is a reflection of average blood sugar,” Hirsch said.
“But this is misleading — many patients had better glucose control, while others did worse.”
One doctor explained that with Afrezza, the product is inhaled into the lungs before meals, and the rapid-acting insulin reduces the glucose surge often seen after meals. (Mankind)
“The point is, taking insulin isn’t for everybody, but some people do better with their pumps than they did with insulin.”
Those who had the best results took insulin between meals and while sleeping, Hirsch said.
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At the end of the study, more than half of the participants said they would prefer to continue inhaled insulin therapy.
“The bottom line is that people with type 1 diabetes should consider it as an alternative to mealtime insulin, and Talk to your doctor “Think about this option,” he suggested.
‘Value Addition’
The American Diabetes Association acknowledged the plausibility of the study’s findings in an email to Fox News Digital.
“We look forward to our Scientific Sessions each year to see data like the INHALE-3 study findings, which have the potential to expand our research.” Diabetes CareRavindra Bannuru, MD, PhD, vice president of medical affairs and quality improvement outcomes for the ADA in Boston, Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital via email.
“Continuous glucose sensing has dramatically improved glucose control,” one doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
The group also said in the statement, “We look forward to the continued development of alternative insulin delivery methods that could offer options for people with diabetes.”
“The INHALE-3 trial demonstrated that inhaled insulin combined with insulin degludec effectively reduces A1c levels without causing hypoglycemia or weight gain in people with type 1 diabetes. This highlights the importance of alternatives in insulin therapy.”
Potential Risks and Limitations
The researchers wrote that while more people achieved their glycemic targets with Afrezza, some subjects saw poorer readings when they switched to inhaler insulin through normal means — “likely due to forgotten doses of inhaler insulin during the day and/or taking a lower dose at bedtime.”
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When asked about side effects, Hirsch said, “We haven’t seen anything of concern.”
“As expected, some people coughed immediately upon taking the insulin dose, but no major concerns were noted and everyone continued taking their insulin.”
“Not everyone can reach their goals with multiple injections or pumps, and each treatment has multiple advantages and disadvantages,” one doctor said. (iStock)
The most common side effects in the study were hypoglycemia, cough, and throat pain or irritation.
Afrezza has been associated with a risk of acute bronchospasm in patients with chronic lung disease, such as Asthma or COPDAccording to the manufacturer.
“Taking insulin isn’t for everyone, but some people did better with their pumps than they did with insulin.”
Before starting Afrezza, patients should visit a doctor for a physical examination and tests lung function,
Patients who smoke or who have recently quit smoking should not take the medication by inhalation.
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Fox News Digital requested additional comment from Mannkind.
