Overview
Afrezza is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve glycemic control (blood sugar control) in adults with diabetes mellitus, including adults with type 1 diabetes. For people with type 1 diabetes, Afrezza is prescribed as a rapid-acting mealtime insulin and must be used in combination with a basal (long-acting) insulin to provide full insulin coverage. Afrezza is also known by its drug name, insulin human.

Afrezza belongs to the insulin drug category and is a rapid-acting inhaled human insulin. Scientists believe it works by quickly increasing insulin levels in the body at mealtimes, which helps move glucose from the blood into cells where it can be used for energy.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Afrezza is taken by oral inhalation using the Afrezza inhaler at the beginning of each meal. For people with type 1 diabetes, Afrezza is used for mealtime blood sugar control and is taken alongside a separate basal insulin. Dosing is individualized and may be adjusted based on blood glucose monitoring results, metabolic needs, and treatment goals. Afrezza should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Afrezza include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), cough, and throat pain or irritation.

Afrezza carries a boxed warning for the risk of acute bronchospasm (sudden tightening of the airways) in people with chronic lung disease. Because of this risk, Afrezza is contraindicated in individuals with chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Rare but serious side effects may also include lung cancer; diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication caused by very high blood sugar); hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood, which may be life-threatening); fluid retention and heart failure when used with certain diabetes drugs known as PPAR-gamma agonists; and severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). Use of Afrezza is not recommended in people who smoke or who have recently stopped smoking.

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Afrezza (Insulin Human) Inhalation Powder, for Oral Inhalation Use — MannKind