Inhaled Insulin - Current Direction of Insulin Research

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by relative or absolute deficiency of insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia. Subcutaneous insulin and Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents (OHA) constitute the main treatment option for DM. Insulin is administered by injection or continuous infusion to control glucose levels mainly in Type I diabetes. Newer routes both oral and non oral, for insulin administration are current direction of insulin research as insulin injection therapy is burdensome and painful for many patients. Inhalational insulin is an attractive alternative for systemic administration of insulin given its accessibility and large alveolar-capillary network of lungs for drug absorption. Afrezza, inhaled insulin has been recently approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is a new, quicker acting inhalable insulin with a different and safer pharmacokinetic profile in comparison to previously failed inhaled form of insulin.