The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a rapid acting inhaled insulin for use at mealtimes by adults with diabetes mellitus.

The product, which will be marketed as Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder, must be used in combination with long acting insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, the FDA warned.

Fitness professionals wishing to read up on this product should view the following documents on the FDA website:

• FDA approves Afrezza to treat diabetes: released 27 June, 2014
• NDA 022472 AFREZZA® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder
• Summary Minutes of the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting April 1, 2014
• AFREZZA® Technosphere® Insulin Inhalation System NDA 022472

Pfizer did make an inhaled insulin, known as Exubera, for a while during 2005-2008 but discontinued 25 January 2008.

For an overview of inhaled insulin view the article by Lutz Heinemann ‘The Failure of Exubera: Are We Beating a Dead Horse?‘ published in 2008 in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. May 2008. Volume 2(3), pp.518-529.