Inhaled Insulin

Inhaled Insulin (Exubera)

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Inhaled Insulin?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:

Smoked within the past six months
Lung problems, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema
Kidney problems, including kidney failure (renal failure)
Liver problems, including liver failure or cirrhosis
Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Exubera and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Precautions and Warnings With Inhaled Insulin to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

How Does It Work?

Inhaled insulin contains a manufactured version of insulin that is exactly like the insulin produced by the human body. All people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes do not make enough (or do not make any) insulin. Insulin is necessary to help remove sugar (glucose) from the blood to produce energy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot be removed from the blood, causing high blood sugar.

Inhaled insulin provides insulin for the body, which helps to lower blood sugar. It works quickly to help the body remove glucose from the blood after meals. People with type 1 diabetes will also need to take a longer-acting insulin to help control blood sugar in between meals. People with type 2 diabetes can use inhaled insulin alone or in combination with oral diabetes drugs or longer-acting insulins.

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