Is inhaled insulin effective than insulin injections?

Question

Hello doctor,

I recently heard about inhaled insulin. My daughter is 13, and she is been struggling with insulin injections. She is just not comfortable with the pain that comes with the shots. I would like to know if inhaled insulin could be a good option for her. It sounds much less painful, and anything that could make things easier for her would be great. Is it safe and effective for someone her age? Would it provide the same level of control over her blood sugar as the injections do?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I am very sorry about your medical condition, and I am glad you are paying attention to changes in your body. Do not worry; I am here to take care of you. According to the latest treatment guidelines, subcutaneous injections of insulin are always preferred over inhaled insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, inhaled insulin is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis and should not be used in patients at high risk for diabetic ketoacidosis.

Inhaled insulin is an option for those who can tolerate the potential transient cough with each administration. Before its initiation, monitoring for pulmonary diseases is essential. People with lung issues, like asthma, are not advised to use inhaled insulin. For those started on inhaled insulin, regular lung function tests are recommended. Due to these respiratory concerns, subcutaneous insulin is still the recommended treatment in the guidelines. However, if your daughter is not experiencing any respiratory issues, it may be tried only after consulting both an endocrinologist and a pulmonogist.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.