Inhaled Insulin

Inhaled insulin can help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It comes in powder form and is inhaled through the mouth, providing insulin for the body to help remove blood sugar. The dosage of inhaled insulin that you are prescribed will depend on the type of diabetes you have, whether you have other medical conditions, and if you are taking other medications.

 

What Is Inhaled Insulin?

Inhaled insulin (Exubera®) is a prescription medication licensed to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults. Unlike other forms of insulin, which need to be injected, inhaled insulin is inhaled into the lungs through the mouth. This is a short-acting (rapid-acting) insulin that is used before meals. Inhaled insulin will not replace long-acting insulin.
 
Note: In October 2007, Pfizer announced it will stop making inhaled insulin. This decision was voluntary and was not based on any safety concern; Pfizer states that their inhaled insulin product (Exubera) has not met its expectations in terms of sales. Starting in October 2007, it will be available for an additional three months, which will give people enough time to change from inhaled insulin to another type of insulin or other diabetes medication.
 
(Click What Is Inhaled Insulin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses for the drug.)
 

Who Makes Inhaled Insulin?

Inhaled insulin is made by Pfizer.
 

How Does Inhaled Insulin 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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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;