Inhaled insulin: overview of a novel route of insulin administration

Review

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Author: Lucy D Mastrandrea

Published Date January 2010 Volume 2010:6 Pages 47 - 58

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S6098

Lucy D Mastrandrea

Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

Abstract: Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by inadequate insulin secretion with resulting hyperglycemia. Diabetes complications include both microvascular and macrovascular disease, both of which are affected by optimal diabetes control. Many individuals with diabetes rely on subcutaneous insulin administration by injection or continuous infusion to control glucose levels. Novel routes of insulin administration are an area of interest in the diabetes field, given that insulin injection therapy is burdensome for many patients. This review will discuss pulmonary delivery of insulin via inhalation. The safety of inhaled insulin as well as the efficacy in comparison to subcutaneous insulin in the various populations with diabetes are covered. In addition, the experience and pitfalls that face the development and marketing of inhaled insulin are discussed.

Keywords: glycemic control, hemoglobin A_1c, inhalation, insulin, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes