Insulin can now be inhaled
30 January 2006
by Carina
Lee
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A new treatment that allows sufferers of diabetes to inhale insulin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product, known as Exubera, is formed using recombinant human DNA (rDNA) and can be used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults, by allowing the uptake of blood sugar by body cells. This is the first major breakthrough for diabetic patients since the 1920 discovery of insulin. Diabetes is a hereditary or developmental chronic health condition suffered by many people worldwide. There are three main types of diabetes; type I, type II, and gestational diabetes. Diabetics are unable to convert food into energy by successfully breaking down blood sugar (glucose) because of the lack of insulin. Director of the Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr. Steven Galson, explains "Until today, patients with diabetes who need insulin to manage their disease had only one way to treat their condition. It is our hope that the availability of inhaled insulin will offer patients more options to better control their blood sugars." The effectiveness of Exubera was tested after experiments were conducted on 2,500 diabetes patients. Clinical studies' results showed that Exubera reached peak insulin concentration faster than other insulin injections and its effects lasted longer. Exubera should be used strictly according to the Medical Guide, as there are side effects such as coughing, dry mouth, sore throat, and shortness of breath. |
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Original press release from FDA
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