insulininhaler

Insulininhaler is a device that administers insulin by inhalation into the lungs, delivering rapid-acting insulin for diabetes management. It is used to provide prandial insulin at meals and is typically employed in combination with a basal insulin therapy, rather than as a complete replacement for all insulin.

Most insulininhaler products deliver a dry-powder formulation. Insulin is absorbed through the lung’s alveolar surface and enters the bloodstream quickly, producing a faster onset than many injectable rapid-acting insulins. The effect is generally evident within minutes and lasts roughly two to three hours, making it suitable for controlling post-meal glucose excursions.

History includes the development of Exubera, the first inhaled insulin, which was approved in 2006 but withdrawn from the market in 2007 due to limited use and safety concerns. A later product, Afrezza, was approved in 2014 and remains on the market in several regions. Afrezza uses Technosphere insulin delivered via a dry-powder inhaler and is indicated for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes as a prandial insulin, in appropriate regimens with basal insulin when needed.

Administration involves inhaling a dose at the start of a meal. Dosing is individualized and requires ongoing monitoring of blood glucose. Lung function testing is recommended before starting inhaled insulin and periodically thereafter. Inhaled insulin is contraindicated in people with chronic lung diseases (such as asthma or COPD) or a history of certain lung conditions and may cause cough or throat irritation. Hypoglycemia remains a risk, as with other insulin therapies, and patients should receive appropriate training and follow-up with healthcare providers.