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FAST FACTS: Blood Sugar
& Glucose

There are many blood sugar medications
available for those with type 1 or type 2
diabetes. Learn more about how Afrezza®
can help manage blood sugar at mealtime.

How does Afrezza® help me manage my blood sugar?

Blood sugar is managed with a treatment plan put together by you and your doctor. It may consist of oral medications and/or insulin. Insulins vary by the time of their onset and duration – some are used for all-day coverage, and others are used just to cover mealtime spikes in blood sugar. Afrezza® manages your blood sugar at mealtime. Afrezza® is taken at the beginning of your meal. Ask your healthcare provider what your blood sugar should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels.

How do I check my blood sugar?

People with diabetes need to check their blood sugar regularly. There are several ways to go about doing this including pricking your finger and testing with a meter.

What does it feel like to have low blood sugar?

While there is a wide range of symptoms a person may experience, the most common symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia are dizziness, sweating, hunger, weakness, nervousness and trouble concentrating.

What can I do to control my blood sugar when it’s high?

One way to control blood sugar levels when they get too high is to take an ultra rapid-acting insulin such as Afrezza®. Other methods that may be helpful in keeping your blood sugar levels on track include exercising and eating a consistent diet.

What is normal blood sugar range?

  • According to the American Diabetes Association, The normal range for blood sugar levels depends on the last time that a person has eaten. For someone without diabetes, a fasting blood sugar level of less than 100 mg/dL is considered normal, and after eating won’t typically go higher than 140 mg/dL. For someone living with diabetes, blood glucose will fluctuate after eating, but is recommended to stay below 180 mg/dL.
  • A person may be diagnosed as prediabetic if fasting blood sugar levels are 100-125 mg/dL, and after-meal levels are between 140 and 199 mg/dL.
  • Blood sugar levels greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL at any time, or greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL after fasting are one indicator that may suggest a person has diabetes.

What blood sugar medications are available?

There are many blood sugar medications available for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is best to consult with your doctor about which medication is right for you.

  • Insulin
    • Short-acting
    • Rapid-acting (Afrezza® is the ONLY rapid-acting inhaled insulin available for adults living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes)
    • Long-acting
    • Combo insulin
  • Oral Medications
    • There are several medication classes including biguanides, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors
  • Injectable Medications
    • There are several classes including insulins and GLP-1 receptor agonists

When does blood sugar spike?

Blood sugar levels fluctuate all day long. For people with diabetes, spikes occur when sugar builds up in the bloodstream due to their body’s inability to properly use glucose or due to not enough insulin. When blood sugar spikes, symptoms of fatigue, thirst, headache, or blurred vision may occur.

How do I monitor my blood sugar?

Use a blood sugar meter (also called a glucometer) to check your blood sugar. A blood sugar meter measures the amount of sugar in a small sample of blood, usually from your fingertip. A continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) uses a sensor inserted under the skin to measure your sugar every few minutes.

How do I manage my blood glucose?

Staying within normal blood sugar levels is extremely important for mood, energy, and your health. Outside of blood sugar management medications there are basic lifestyle choices that can help manage blood glucose.

  • Track your blood sugar levels
  • Do not skip meals and eat a diet low in sugar, salt, bad fats and calories
  • Drink water; skip high sugar beverages when possible
  • Exercise regularly

Why is my blood glucose high?

Many things can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), including being sick, being stressed, eating more than planned or not giving yourself enough insulin. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to long-term, serious health problems.

Have more questions?

Get more information in our FAQs and
our easy to read Afrezza® A-Z guide

References:

  1. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes- 2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;44.
  2. CDC Living With Diabetes. Updated March 9th, 2022. Accessed July 10th, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/index.html
  3. Garber AG, Handelsman Y, Grunberger G, Einhorn D, Abrahamson MJ, Barzilay JI, et al. 2020 ACE/AACE Consensus Statement on the Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm. Endocrine Practice. 2020;26(1):107-139.
  4. Diagnosis | ADA, diabetes.org/diabetes/a1c/diagnosis. Accessed 1 Aug. 2023.

US-AFR-2373

Read more

What is AFREZZA?

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.

  • AFREZZA is not for use to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. AFREZZA must be used with basal insulin in people who have type 1 diabetes mellitus.
  • It is not known if AFREZZA is safe and effective for use in people who smoke. AFREZZA is not for use in people who smoke or have recently stopped smoking (less than 6 months).
  • It is not known if AFREZZA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Read more

Important Safety Information

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.

 

Important Safety Information(cont’d)

Who should not use Afrezza®?

Do not use Afrezza® if you:

  • Have chronic lung problems such as asthma or COPD.
  • Are allergic to regular human insulin or any of the ingredients in Afrezza®.
  • Are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Afrezza®?

Before using Afrezza®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have lung problems such as asthma or COPD
  • Have or have had lung cancer
  • Are using any inhaled medications
  • Smoke or have recently stopped smoking
  • Have kidney or liver problems
  • Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Afrezza® may harm your unborn or breastfeeding baby.

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.

What should I avoid while using Afrezza®?

While using Afrezza® do not:

  • Drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how Afrezza® affects you.
  • Drink alcohol or use over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol.
  • Smoke.

What are the possible side effects of Afrezza®?

Afrezza® may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about Afrezza®?”

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs and symptoms that may indicate low blood sugar include:
    • Dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability or mood change, hunger.
  • Decreased lung function. Your healthcare provider should check how your lungs are working before you start using AFREZZA, 6 months after you start using it, and yearly after that.
  • Lung cancer. In studies of Afrezza® in people with diabetes, lung cancer occurred in a few more people who were taking Afrezza® than in people who were taking other diabetes medications. There were too few cases to know if lung cancer was related to Afrezza®. If you have lung cancer, you and your healthcare provider should decide if you should use Afrezza®.
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an illness. Your Afrezza® dose or how often you check your blood sugar may need to be changed.
  • Severe allergic reaction (whole body reaction). Get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
    • A rash over your whole body, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, or sweating.
  • Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).
  • Heart failure. Taking certain diabetes pills called thiazolidinediones or “TZDs” with Afrezza® may cause heart failure in some people. This can happen even if you have never had heart failure or heart problems before. If you already have heart failure it may get worse while you take TZDs with Afrezza®. Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely while you are taking TZDs with Afrezza®. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worse symptoms of heart failure including:
    • Shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, sudden weight gain.

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:

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), cough, sore throat

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, MANNKIND, and the Afrezza logo are registered trademarks, and AFREZZAASSIST, AfrezzaAssist and logo are mark applications, all owned by MannKind Corporation. © 2023 MannKind Corporation.
This site is intended for use by U.S. residents only.

ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS TO SEE IF
AFREZZA® IS RIGHT FOR YOU!

After you've completed the survey, a Patient Education Specialist will then call you to answer any questions you may have and can connect you with a doctor in your area or help sign you up for a telemedicine (virtual) visit with a doctor.

AFREZZA® (INSULIN HUMAN) INHALATION POWER
SAVINGS PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS

With the Afrezza® Savings Card, an eligible, commercially-insured patient age 18 years and older can receive this Copay Offer, see details below.

If coverage for Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder is approved by the patient’s health plan, a patient can qualify for the Copay Offer and pay as little as $35 per fill (saving as much as $2000 per month), up to a maximum of 12 fills annually. Maximum limits apply. See full Terms and Conditions below.

By participating in the Afrezza Savings Card program, you acknowledge that you are an eligible patient, age 18 years or older, and that you understand and agree to comply with the terms and conditions of this offer, as described in further detail below.

Terms and Conditions for Copay Offer: Pay as little as $35 for Afrezza® per month, up to a maximum savings of $2000. Patient must be prescribed Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder. Patient will pay as little as $35 per month (saving as much as $2000 per month), up to a maximum of 12 fills annually. The Copay Offer applies to patient out-of-pocket costs, including deductible, co-insurance, and copayments for Afrezza. Patient is responsible for the first $35 and any costs above the maximum benefit limit. Available if patient is commercially insured and 18 years or older. This offer is not valid if patient is receiving prescription reimbursement under any federal-, state-, or government-funded healthcare program, such as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), or TRICARE or where prohibited by law. If at any time patient begins receiving coverage under any such federal-, state-, or government-funded healthcare program, patient will no longer be able to use this offer and patient must call 1-844-3AFREZZA / 1-844-323-7399 to discontinue participation. Patient may not seek reimbursement for value received from this offer from any third-party payers, including flexible spending accounts or healthcare savings accounts. Other restrictions may apply. This offer is subject to change or discontinuation without notice. This is not health insurance. If you become aware that your health plan or pharmacy benefit manager does not allow the use of manufacturer copay support as part of your health plan design, you agree to comply with your obligations, if any, to disclose your use of the card to your insurer. Offer benefits will reset annually; on-going participation may require periodic re-enrollment. Valid in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US territories.

Maximum Quantities Allowed Under Copay Offer:
NDC 47918-0874-90, 47918-0878-90; NDC 47918-0891-90:
Max 810 cartridges/ 90 Day Supply
NDCs 47918-0880-18; NDC 47918-0902-18; NDC 47918-0898-18:
Max 1,620 cartridges/ 90 Day Supply

For additional questions regarding program benefits, terms, conditions or participation requirements, please contact 1-844-3AFREZZA / 1-844-323-7399.

AFREZZA® (INSULIN HUMAN) INHALATION POWER
SAVINGS PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS

With the Afrezza® Savings Card, an eligible, commercially-insured patient age 18 years and older can receive this Copay Offer, see details below.

If coverage for Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder is approved by the patient’s health plan, a patient can qualify for the Copay Offer and pay as little as $35 per fill (saving as much as $2000 per month), up to a maximum of 12 fills annually. Maximum limits apply. See full Terms and Conditions below.

By participating in the Afrezza Savings Card program, you acknowledge that you are an eligible patient, age 18 years or older, and that you understand and agree to comply with the terms and conditions of this offer, as described in further detail below.

Terms and Conditions for Copay Offer: Pay as little as $35 for Afrezza® per month, up to a maximum savings of $2000. Patient must be prescribed Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder. Patient will pay as little as $35 per month (saving as much as $2000 per month), up to a maximum of 12 fills annually. The Copay Offer applies to patient out-of-pocket costs, including deductible, co-insurance, and copayments for Afrezza. Patient is responsible for the first $35 and any costs above the maximum benefit limit. Available if patient is commercially insured and 18 years or older. This offer is not valid if patient is receiving prescription reimbursement under any federal-, state-, or government-funded healthcare program, such as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), or TRICARE or where prohibited by law. If at any time patient begins receiving coverage under any such federal-, state-, or government-funded healthcare program, patient will no longer be able to use this offer and patient must call 1-844-3AFREZZA / 1-844-323-7399 to discontinue participation. Patient may not seek reimbursement for value received from this offer from any third-party payers, including flexible spending accounts or healthcare savings accounts. Other restrictions may apply. This offer is subject to change or discontinuation without notice. This is not health insurance. If you become aware that your health plan or pharmacy benefit manager does not allow the use of manufacturer copay support as part of your health plan design, you agree to comply with your obligations, if any, to disclose your use of the card to your insurer. Offer benefits will reset annually; on-going participation may require periodic re-enrollment. Valid in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US territories.

Maximum Quantities Allowed Under Copay Offer:
NDC 47918-0874-90, 47918-0878-90; NDC 47918-0891-90:
Max 810 cartridges/ 90 Day Supply
NDCs 47918-0880-18; NDC 47918-0902-18; NDC 47918-0898-18:
Max 1,620 cartridges/ 90 Day Supply

For additional questions regarding program benefits, terms, conditions or participation requirements, please contact 1-844-3AFREZZA / 1-844-323-7399.