FDA Approves First Inhalable Insulin
FDA on Friday (January 27, 2006) approved Exubera, the first inhalable form of insulin, for use in diabetes patients. Pfizer developed Exubera, which is delivered in powder form through a small dispenser, with Sanofi Aventis and Nektar Therapeutics. Pfizer said that Exubera should become available by the middle of 2006.
FDA approved Exubera to stabilize blood sugar levels near mealtimes among adult patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and do not smoke. FDA also said that diabetes patients who quit smoking within the previous six months or who have lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis or asthma should not use Exubera. Exubera will not replace the need for some diabetes patients to inject insulin in the morning or at night, FDA said and that diabetes patients should have their lungs examined before they begin to use Exubera and at six- and 12-month intervals subsequently.
FDA approved Exubera to stabilize blood sugar levels near mealtimes among adult patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and do not smoke. FDA also said that diabetes patients who quit smoking within the previous six months or who have lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis or asthma should not use Exubera. Exubera will not replace the need for some diabetes patients to inject insulin in the morning or at night, FDA said and that diabetes patients should have their lungs examined before they begin to use Exubera and at six- and 12-month intervals subsequently.
