Fast Facts:

Rapid Acting Insulin

Insulin is classified by how fast and how long it works in your body. Afrezza is the only inhalable rapid-acting insulin that lowers your blood sugar fast*, similar to the body’s natural insulin response. Learn more about how Afrezza is changing the way you take insulin.

*Starts controlling blood sugars in ~12 minutes.

What are the advantages of using a rapid-acting insulin inhaler, like Afrezza?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are several advantages to using inhaled insulin as your rapid-acting insulin. Some of the benefits of using Afrezza include:

It is not an injection, so there are no needles or discomfort when it is taken
It quickly activates in the body – inhaled insulin appears in your bloodstream in less than 1 minute and starts lowering blood sugar in about 12 minutes
It can be taken at the beginning of meals, even if it is unexpected
Inhaler device is small and portable

Are there any limitations to using Afrezza?

Yes. Afrezza inhaled insulin is not a substitute for a long-acting insulin. For patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Afrezza must be used in conjunction with a long-acting insulin for your basal needs. Afrezza is not for use in patients with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD, and it is not recommended in patients who smoke or have recently stopped smoking.

How is Afrezza different from other types of rapid-acting insulin used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Because Afrezza uses a unique inhaled formulation to quickly deliver insulin into the bloodstream through the lungs, you have the freedom to eliminate mealtime injections. This also allows for ultra-rapid absorption into the bloodstream in under 1 minute and lower blood glucose levels in as little as 12 minutes. Afrezza reaches its peak effect after 35-45 minutes, depending on the dose. So, there is no need for planning, no waiting, and no needlesticks.

How quickly does Afrezza begin to work?

Afrezza is inhalable and lowers blood sugar fast, similar to the body’s natural insulin response. Afrezza is the only ultra-rapid acting inhaled insulin and starts to lower blood glucose levels in as little as 12 minutes.

How long does Afrezza last compared to other types of rapid-acting insulin?

Afrezza stops lowering blood glucose after 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the dose.*

*For the 4-unit and 12-unit cartridges, respectively.

What is the best time to take Afrezza?

Afrezza is intended to be taken right before a meal. It’s a flexible dosing insulin, which means that you can take additional doses, if needed, based on your blood glucose levels one to two hours after a meal. With Afrezza, you can eat when you want, while having the freedom of a proven blood sugar control nearby.

Are there any side effects or disadvantages to taking Afrezza?

Yes. The most common side effects are low blood sugar, cough, and sore throat. While they are uncommon, there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing Afrezza rapid-acting insulin, such as:

Since Afrezza is an inhaled powder, it is not uncommon to experience a cough at the beginning of your treatment. It is important to take Afrezza at room temperature. Having a sip of water before and after inhalation may help to prevent cough.*
Afrezza does not eliminate all injections; if you have type 1 diabetes, you will still need to take a long-acting insulin for your basal needs.

*In clinical studies, reported coughs were mild and typically declined with continued use after 1-4 weeks. However, if you develop a persistent or recurring cough, or have breathing difficulties while using Afrezza, contact your healthcare provider.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type-1-types-of-insulin.html

Have more questions?

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

US-AFR-1852

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.

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.

Medication Guide

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.

Fast Facts: Rapid Acting Insulin