Inhaler insulin proves effective in trial

A new clinical trial has suggested that a form of insulin that is inhaled is more effective than insulin that is administered orally or via injections. The Phase III clinical trial for AFREZZA has shown that it is a highly effective mealtime insulin treatment for patients suffering with diabetes.

AFREZZA is a ultra rapid acting insulin that is administered at mealtimes. It is suitable for use by patients diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in order to control hyperglycemia. It is provided in powder form, which is administered through an inhalation device, developed by MannKind. The insulin was provided in single dose cartridges that fitted into the inhaler, for ease of use. It has been found to deliver the insulin to the blood incredibly quickly when taken before a meal, allowing for peak insulin levels to be reached between 12 and 14 minutes after a patient has taken it.

In order to test the new form of insulin, 353 patients were involved in a randomised trial. One group received the AFREZZA inhalation insulin, while the second group was treated with a placebo inhalation powder. All patients continued to use their oral medication throughout the trial. The study also involved a titration period and a 12-week evaluation of the patients' wellbeing and to assess their levels of HbA1c.

The easy way the drug is administered could have the potential to alter the way in which insulin is delivered to patients worldwide and could help to improve the quality of life for diabetes sufferers. The discrete inhaler could mean that people are able to take the insulin in public. The inhaler could also be a suitable form of treatment for diabetes patients whose disease is not controlled properly through the use of secondary or tertiary medications.

The full results of the trial are due to be released later on this year, but preliminary reports suggest that AFREZZA has performed well in comparison to traditional methods of administering insulin to diabetic patients.