Headlines: Inhalable Insulin Could End Injections for Diabetics

August 23, 2013, I saw this report in Bloomberg Businessweek Technology about AFREZZA, a rapid-acting insulin therapy in the form of a powder that can be breathed in using pre-metered single dose cartridges that plug into an inhaler. Over 5,300 human patients have received treatment using it in 56 different clinical trials. The results when compared to traditional insulin treatment:

• Significant reductions in post-meal glucose fluctuations;
• Comparable overall glucose-level control;
• Lower fasting glucose levels;
• Reduced risk of hypoglycemia;
• Less weight gain.

Costing about the same as conventional insulin injection therapy the FDA is expected to approve AFREZZA’s use sometime in 2014.