facebook-script

WHY INHALE YOUR
INSULIN

Afrezza® is the only ultra rapid-acting
inhaled insulin available on the market.
Learn how inhaled insulin works below.

WHY INHALE YOUR INSULIN?

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.

How Effective is Inhaled Insulin?

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.

Why Use Insulin You Inhale as an Alternative to Injectable Insulins?

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.

More Considerations About Inhaled Insulin

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.

Have more questions?

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

US-AFR-1794

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.