Insulin inhalable

Because of the sensitive nature of most biopharmaceuticals, their dosage forms are limited to injectable solutions. Therapeutic proteins cannot pass the acidic milieu of the stomach undamaged, nor are they absorbed through the intestinal wall. Although work on alternatives such as inhalers is underway (the first commercial application is an insulin inhaler), injection remains the predominant option for administering sensible biopharmaceuticals. 

Pfizer s Exubera insulin inhalator treatment. It costs more than 2000/year. NICE sees no justification for reimbursing a 3 times higher treatment cost just for the convenience of inhaling rather than injecting the insulin. 

Perera AD, Kapitza C, Nosek L, Fishman RS, Shapiro DA, Heise T, Heinemann L. Absorption and metabolic effect of inhaled insulin intrapatient variability after inhalation via the Aerodose insulin inhaler in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2002 25(12) 2276-81. 

Insulin inhalation - Pfizer/NektarTherapeutics HMR 4006, inhaled PEG-insulin - Nektar, PEGylated insulin - Nektar, Drugs R D 2004. 5 166-170. 

Human insulin inhalation powder glucose metabolism... 

Kim, D., Mudaliar, S., Chinnapongse, S., et al. (2003), Dose-response relationships of inhaled insulin delivered via the aerodose insulin inhaler and subcutaneously injected insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Care, 26, 2842-2847. 

In the not too distant future, Insulin intake will become even easier. Thanks to a new insulin inhaler, by Generex, insulin injections may become relics of the past. The inhaler sprays insulin out into the mouth like a mist, which coats the membranes of the mouth, throat and tongue. The insulin then passes quickly through the membranes into the bloodstream. The new insulin inhaler is in phase two clinical trials. If all goes well, the Food and Drug Administration could put it on a fast track for approval, making it available on the market in less than two years. 

Insulin inhalation—Pfizer/Nektar therapeutic HMR 4006, inhaled PEG-insulin—Nektar, PEGylated insurin—Nektar. Drugs. R.D. 5 166-170. 

Same as SC insulin Inhalation (dry powder inhaler) Diabetes Q Ci... 

The recovered aerosolized insulin solution was similar to that of cells treated with a control insulin sample. Also the addition of additives used for the insulin aerosolization impair the plasma glucose-lowering action of subcutaneously injected insulin. For these reasons, the potential use of an inlqet device for insulin inhalation therapy for diabetes has been suggested (50). 

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