Afrezza® is the only ultra rapid-acting
inhaled insulin available on the market.
Learn how inhaled insulin works below.
Inhaled insulin is a safe and effective way for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to get insulin without having to use a needle. Instead of injecting insulin under the skin, insulin that you inhale is administered similarly to asthma medication via oral inhalation. Afrezza® is the only ultra rapid-acting inhaled insulin available on the market.
Because Afrezza® is inhaled, insulin enters through the large surface area of the lungs, which allows for ultra rapid absorption. It then passes from your lungs to your bloodstream in less than a minute, and it can start reducing blood sugar levels in about 12 minutes. With other insulins, it may take longer for your blood sugars to start going down.
Inhaled insulin is another option if you want to limit your use of needles, or you experience skin reactions at your injection sites. Afrezza® uses a small, hand-held inhaler so you don’t have to worry about carrying around pens or syringes. And it is ultra rapid-acting, so you can take it right when your food arrives, even unexpectedly. With Afrezza®, you can be spontaneous but still in control, without the need for injections at mealtime.
What is inhaled insulin?
Afrezza® is available as 4-, 8-, and 12-unit color-coded, single use cartridges that are administered via oral inhalation with the Afrezza® Inhaler. More than one cartridge may be needed to take your prescribed dose.
Are inhaled insulin dosages similar to other types of insulin?
Because Afrezza® is inhaled, and is in powdered form, one unit of Afrezza® may work differently than one unit of injectable, liquid insulin. Based on clinical trials, it may take 1.5x the amount of Afrezza® to achieve the same blood sugar control as injected insulin.
Who shouldn’t use inhaled insulin?
Individuals who smoke, have asthma, or other chronic lung issues, like COPD, should not inhale insulin.
How fast does inhaled insulin work?
Once inhaled, Afrezza® passes quickly through your lungs and enters your bloodstream in less than 1 minute. The ultra rapid-acting insulin allows Afrezza® to start lowering blood sugars in about 12 minutes.
What are some other benefits of inhaled insulin?
Afrezza®’s ultra rapid-action allows you to inhale your insulin right when food arrives, even unexpectedly, so you can be spontaneous but still in control, without the need for injections at mealtime.
Can inhaled insulin replace my current insulin?
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will still need to take basal insulin for your basal needs depending on what you and your healthcare provider decide. Your healthcare provider may prescribe Afrezza® to treat mealtime spikes in blood sugar. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may consider adjustments to your other diabetes medications if they prescribe Afrezza®.
Can I use inhaled insulin before all of my meals?
Yes! Enjoy the benefits of Afrezza®’s ultra rapid-action whenever it’s time to eat, even if it’s unexpected.
Is inhaled insulin safe?
Afrezza® inhaled insulin is safe, effective and FDA approved. The most common side effects are: low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), cough, and sore throat. Please see Important Safety Information below.
Get more information in our FAQs and
our easy to read Afrezza® A-Z guide
US-AFR-1794
AFREZZA is a man-made insulin that is breathed-in through your lungs (inhaled) and is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus.
What is the most important information I should know about AFREZZA? AFREZZA can cause serious side effects, including:
Sudden lung problems (bronchospasms). In a study, some AFREZZA-treated patients with asthma, whose asthma medication was temporarily withheld, experienced sudden lung problems. Do not use AFREZZA if you have long-term (chronic) lung problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Before starting AFREZZA, your healthcare provider will give you a breathing test to check how your lungs are working.
Do not use Afrezza® if you:
Before using Afrezza®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements.
Before you start using Afrezza®, talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.
While using Afrezza® do not:
Afrezza® may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about Afrezza®?”
Treatment with TZDs and Afrezza® may need to be changed or stopped by your healthcare provider if you have new or worse heart failure.
Get emergency medical help if you have:
• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, sweating, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion.
The most common side effects of Afrezza® include:
These are not all the possible side effects of Afrezza®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Please See Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use for AFREZZA.
AFREZZA, the Afrezza logo, AFREZZAASSIST, AFREZZAASSIST and logo, MANNKIND, and BLUHALE VIS are registered trademarks of MannKind Corporation. © 2024 MannKind Corporation.
This site is intended for use by U.S. residents only.
Complete a quick medical questionnaire to help determine if Afrezza is right for you.
Schedule an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider.
If Afrezza is right for you, pick it up from your local pharmacy or have it delivered to your home.
You are now leaving Afrezza.com
By clicking “Yes” below, you acknowledge and agree that MannKind does not, in any way, endorse or recommend the qualifications of any physician associated with the third-party website, or the quality of medical care any of those physicians can provide. MannKind makes no guarantees that using the third-party website will result in your desired outcome. It is wholly and solely your responsibility to assess the qualifications of a potential physician. MannKind recommends that you meet and discuss the benefits and risks of all potential treatments with the potential physician. MANNKIND AND ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HEREBY DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY ARISING FROM YOUR USE AND/OR RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE THIRD-PARTY WEBSITE.
If you agree to the above, click “YES” to proceed to the third-party website. If you do not agree to the above, click “NO” to remain on Afrezza.com.