US regulators look at inhaled insulin for diabetics

A US government advisory committee is scrutinising an inhaled form of insulin that is designed to help millions of people with diabetes who now rely on injections to control their blood sugar.

Chief concerns about the drug involve its long-term effects on the lungs, as well as whether it is safe and effective for people who smoke or have lung disease, according to documents released by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The inhaled insulin, called Exubera, could help diabetics who are reluctant to take injections. The insulin is being developed by Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Nektar Therapeutics.

The FDA’s Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee was to consider today whether to recommend the drug to government regulators for approval. The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its advisory committees, but is not required to.

During drug trials, researchers found inhaled insulin was generally as effective as injections in controlling blood sugar levels.

However, some patients who took inhaled insulin complained of coughing and a small decrease in breathing capacity.