Exubera is the brand name of first formulation of inhalable insulin to receive the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval . It is manufactured by Pfizer in collaboration with Nektar Therapeutics and is approved for use by both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Inhalable insulin such as Exubera is expected to dramatically reduce the need for daily injections, especially for type 2 diabetics. Exubera is considered a short acting insulin, which means many Type 1 diabetics will still need an injection of longer acting insulin to maintain a basal level for a 24 hour period. Exubera works by using the strategy of reducing the particle size of insulin and making it into a dry powder so that it can get absorbed in the lung.

The following two paragraphs are excerpted from a Pfizer press release (01/27/2006):

"The efficacy and safety profile of Exubera was studied in more than 2,500 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for an average duration of 20 months. In clinical trials, many patients using Exubera reported greater treatment satisfaction than patients taking insulin by injection. Significantly more patients who had used both Exubera and insulin injections or diabetes pills reported an overall preference for Exubera. "

"In patients with type 2 diabetes, Exubera can be used alone as an alternative to rapid-acting insulin injections or diabetes pills, or in combination with diabetes pills or longer-acting insulin. In patients with type 1 diabetes, Exubera will be used in combination with longer-acting insulin."

References

• The FDA appoval of Exubera
• ^* Press release from Pfizer
• ^* description from the manufacturer
• Exubera Risks -- a blog dedicated to news about reported and suspected risks of inhaled insulin therapy

Diabetes | Anti-diabetic drugs