Purpose: The pharmacologic properties of a recently approved inhaled insulin product, its unique delivery system, and the results of clinical safety and efficacy trials are reviewed.
Summary: Afrezza (also called Technosphere Insulin, MannKind Corporation, Valencia, CA) is a novel ultrarapid-acting insulin formulation indicated for use in improving glycemic control in selected patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Afrezza is not intended as a substitute for traditional basal therapy with injectable long-acting insulin but may be used to provide prandial insulin coverage; it must be used in combination with long-acting insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes. Administered before meals using a dry-powder inhalation device, Afrezza is formulated with a novel excipient (fumaryl diketopiperazine) that dissolves instantly in lung fluid and releases recombinant human insulin for absorption. In clinical trials, rates of hypoglycemia in Afrezza-treated patients were significantly lower than rates reported in comparator groups receiving injectable insulin products. The most commonly reported adverse effect of Afrezza is coughing, which tends to occur shortly after inhalation and is typically mild. Afrezza is not recommended for use in patients who smoke (or have recently stopped smoking) and those with a chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Afrezza is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Conclusion: Afrezza is a safe and effective treatment for selected adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, potentially providing an alternative to injectable insulin for prandial blood glucose control.
Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.