I saw a report on the news last night about exubera coming on to the market. I know it's probably old hat on this forum, but it appears (from my un-educated perspective) to have potential. Thoughts? I also read about new 'gut' drugs coming our way that will greatly assist in the processing of sugars, assist with beta cells etc.
"I love Italian.......and so do you"
"Yes"
Almost every major drug manufactuer is going after the inhaled insulin market. Pfizer who's "EXUBERA" inhaled insulin product has just made it from Phase III trials to approval.
Inhalers are typically for type 1's and they have a problem. The problem is dose control. Compared to insulin pumps or even syringes, using an inhaler is like using a sledge hammer for dosing control. Imagine the variables that smoking, pnemonia, asthma, etc present when trying to effectively use an inhaler. With an inhaler you only have two dosage choices (a little bit or a lot) and how those actually are absorbed into your body and at what rate is the $64,000 question. I wouldn't give up my syringes just yet!
Inhalers are typically for type 1's and they have a problem. The problem is dose control. Compared to insulin pumps or even syringes, using an inhaler is like using a sledge hammer for dosing control. Imagine the variables that smoking, pnemonia, asthma, etc present when trying to effectively use an inhaler. With an inhaler you only have two dosage choices (a little bit or a lot) and how those actually are absorbed into your body and at what rate is the $64,000 question. I wouldn't give up my syringes just yet!
Hi Warren
Good points. Do you think the technology will improve, or could this be a dead-end? Is it like the mobile 'phone analogy? Remember those first ones that were the size of a briefcase? Maybe in a few years time, these devices will look crude and stoneage. There goes the optimist in me again! Those 'gut' drugs look interesting though...
"I love Italian.......and so do you"
"Yes"
N17,
I just LOVE the title of this post (LOL!) I can see how people with a fear of needles would look to this new delivery system with joy but I don't mind my syringes so much. I like the fact that I can adjust the dose to stay in the correct range and I know absolutely how much insulin I am delivering... and it's not affected by whether or not I have a cold. The very tiny guage needles are almost painless when you use them correctly and I don't do the 'stab thing' that the instructors taught. I gently slip the needle in at a slight angle so it just barely pokes the skin before it slips into the fatty tissue. I also press the plunger very slowly to lessen the pain. Works for me...
~ Jeannie
"People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within."
- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
I just LOVE the title of this post (LOL!) I can see how people with a fear of needles would look to this new delivery system with joy but I don't mind my syringes so much. I like the fact that I can adjust the dose to stay in the correct range and I know absolutely how much insulin I am delivering... and it's not affected by whether or not I have a cold. The very tiny guage needles are almost painless when you use them correctly and I don't do the 'stab thing' that the instructors taught. I gently slip the needle in at a slight angle so it just barely pokes the skin before it slips into the fatty tissue. I also press the plunger very slowly to lessen the pain. Works for me...
~ Jeannie
"People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within."
- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross