For Diabetics, a New Insulin Inhaler Could Replace Shots as Early as 2014

[KittyWampus]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-14/for-diabetics-a-new-insulin-inhaler-could-replace-shots-as-early-as-2014

The long promise of insulin that diabetics can inhale appears to be moving closer to the market. An inhalable insulin powder called Afrezza showed positive results for controlling diabetes in a late-stage clinical trial, the drug’s maker, MannKind (MNKD), reported today.

Pharmaceutical companies have been working on inhalable insulin for a long time on the theory that diabetics would prefer to puff on an inhaler than give themselves a shot. In 2007, Pfizer (PFE) stopped selling its Exubera insulin powder because of weak sales after less than two years on the market. Exubera never gained traction, largely because insurers wouldn’t pay for it, saying it was too expensive and didn’t work for many patients. Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) both ended inhaled insulin research programs in 2008.

[quinnox]

1. wow, cool development

I have known diabetics and that they had to give themselves a shot every day, well it freaked me out. This sounds a hell of a lot better.

[HeiressofBickworth]

2. Yes, this would be a great improvement IF

a year from release they don't discover that it causes some other kind of disease, like lung cancer. It seems that FDA approval comes on a schedule that fits a company's fiscal agenda rather than meeting the test of long-term safety.

[IDemo]

3. Effects on lung capacity was a concern with earlier inhalable insulin

And appears to be under ongoing study with Afrezza as well.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11897731/2/mannkinds-mysterious-lung-safety-study-is-open-but-shhhdont-talk-about-it.html

It may be a relief for those diabetics with a genuine fear of the needle, but I will remain on my 4 injection daily routine for now.

[HeiressofBickworth]

4. I got the news today that

I need to change from my once-a-day to twice a day. Injecting disgusts me and having to do more disgusts me even more. I cried.

[IDemo]

5. My condolences

I figure I passed the 50,000 lifetime injection number a while ago. Have you tried the ultra-fine short needles? They are like a mosquito bite compared to the stainless steel monsters I had to deal with as a kid. Sometimes I literally don't even feel the injection.

[HeiressofBickworth]

6. Yes, I use the tiniest little needle

It's not the size of the needle that disgusts me but its the act of using a piece of metal to break my skin for the purpose of depositing a foreign substance under my skin. UGH. I hide out in my room and do the filthy deed once the rest of the family has retired for the night. Given all that, I still won't use an inhalable due to the unknown risks.

[IDemo]

7. I know, after 50 years, I'm still not wild about the jab

I just know that it's only a quick instant and that high blood glucose sick feeling will last for hours and be much worse feeling without it.

I've been agnostic about a cure for Type 1 all my life, but there have been a few breakthroughs lately that give me more optimism we may actually see a cure before another ten years.