Insulin human (inhaled)
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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Boxed warning
WARNING: RISK OF ACUTE BRONCHOSPASM IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE Acute bronchospasm has been observed in AFREZZA-treated patients with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. AFREZZA is contraindicated in patients with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Before initiating AFREZZA, perform a detailed medical history, physical examination, and spirometry (FEV 1 ) to identify potential lung disease in all patients [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
WARNING: RISK OF ACUTE BRONCHOSPASM IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Acute bronchospasm has been observed in AFREZZA-treated patients with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). ( 5.1 ) AFREZZA is contraindicated in patients with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD. ( 4 ) Before initiating AFREZZA, perform a detailed medical history, physical examination, and spirometry (FEV 1 ) to identify potential lung disease in all patients. ( 2.1 ), ( 5.1 )
Insulin
Dosing in kidney impairment
Renal Impairment The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of AFREZZA has not been studied. Some studies with human insulin have shown increased circulating levels of insulin in patients with renal failure. Frequent glucose monitoring and a lower dosage may be necessary in AFREZZA-treated patients with renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) and Warnings and Precautions] .
Dosing in liver impairment
Hepatic Impairment The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of AFREZZA has not been studied. Frequent glucose monitoring and a lower dosage may be necessary in AFREZZA-treated patients with hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) and Warnings and Precautions] .
Preparation and administration
Lung Function Assessment Prior to Administration AFREZZA is contraindicated in patients with chronic lung disease because of the risk of acute bronchospasm in these patients. Before initiating AFREZZA, perform a medical history, physical examination and spirometry (FEV 1 ) in all patients to identify potential lung disease [see Contraindications and Warnings and Precautions].
Important Administration Information Prior to initiation, train patients and/or their caregiver(s) on proper administration of AFREZZA. After training, adult and pediatric patients aged 10 and older may self-administer AFREZZA if the healthcare provider determines that it is appropriate. Refer patients to the Instructions for Use for detailed instructions and visuals on how to prepare, administer, and store AFREZZA; use the AFREZZA cartridges; and use the AFREZZA inhaler.
Only administer AFREZZA via oral inhalation using the AFREZZA Inhaler. Administer AFREZZA at the beginning of each meal. Administer AFREZZA using a single inhalation per cartridge (if the dose is greater than the contents of a single cartridge, more than one cartridge is needed) [see Dosage and Administration, Dosage Forms and Strengths].
To administer AFREZZA: Keep the inhaler level with the white mouthpiece on top and purple base on the bottom after a cartridge has been inserted into the inhaler. Loss of drug effect can occur if the inhaler is turned upside down, held with the mouthpiece pointing down, shaken, or dropped after the cartridge has been inserted but before the dose has been administered.
If any of the above occur, replace the cartridge before use. Hold the inhaler away from the mouth and fully exhale. After the inhaler is placed in the mouth and the lips form a seal, tilt the inhaler down towards the chin while keeping the head level. With the mouth closed around the mouthpiece, inhale deeply through the inhaler.
Hold the breath for as long as comfortable and at the same time remove the inhaler from the mouth. After holding the breath, exhale and continue to breathe normally. The AFREZZA Inhaler can be used for up to 15 days from the date of first use. After 15 days of use, discard the inhaler and replace it with a new inhaler.
Drug interactions
Check insulin human (inhaled) against a medication listLabel text (6 paragraphs)
2.5 Dosage Modifications for Drug Interactions Dosage modification may be needed when: AFREZZA is used concomitantly with certain drugs that increase and/or decrease the glucose lowering effect [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. Switching from another insulin to AFREZZA [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6 presents clinically significant drug interactions with AFREZZA. Table 6.
Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with AFREZZA Antidiabetic agents, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Blocking Agents, Disopyramide, Fibrates, Fluoxetine, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Pentoxifylline, Pramlintide, Salicylates, Somatostatin Analogs (e.g., octreotide), and Sulfonamide Antibiotics Prevention or Management Monitor blood glucose more frequently and modify AFREZZA dosage, as clinically indicated, when used concomitantly with these drugs. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of these drugs with AFREZZA may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Atypical Antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), Corticosteroids, Danazol, Diuretics, Estrogens, Glucagon, Isoniazid, Niacin, Oral Contraceptives, Phenothiazines, Progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), Protease inhibitors, Somatropin, Sympathomimetic Agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline) and Thyroid Hormones. Prevention or Management Monitor blood glucose more frequently and modify AFREZZA dosage, as clinically indicated, when used concomitantly with these drugs. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of these drugs with AFREZZA may reduce the blood glucose lowering effect of AFREZZA.
Alcohol, Beta-blockers, Clonidine, and Lithium Salts Prevention or Management Monitor blood glucose more frequently and modify AFREZZA dosage, as clinically indicated, when used concomitantly with these drugs. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use with AFREZZA may either increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect of AFREZZA. Pentamidine Prevention or Management Monitor blood glucose more frequently and modify AFREZZA dosage, as clinically indicated, when used concomitantly with these drugs.
Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of pentamidine with AFREZZA may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia Beta-blockers, Clonidine, Guanethidine, and Reserpine Prevention or Management Monitor blood glucose more frequently and modify AFREZZA dosage, as clinically indicated, when used concomitantly with these drugs.
Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of these drugs with AFREZZA may blunt the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it more difficult to recognize See full prescribing information for details regarding concomitant use of drugs that may ( 7 ): Decrease blood glucose lowering effect of AFREZZA Increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect of AFREZZA Blunt signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS AFREZZA is contraindicated: During episodes of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. In patients with chronic lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, because of the risk of acute bronchospasm [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. In patients with a previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to any regular human insulin product or any of the inactive ingredients in AFREZZA. Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with AFREZZA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )].
During episodes of hypoglycemia ( 4 ) Chronic lung disease, such as asthma, or COPD ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to any regular human insulin product or any of the inactive ingredients in AFREZZA ( 4 )
Safety data
Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Liver injury (LiverTox)
LiverTox has no chapter for insulin human (inhaled). Check the label's hepatic warnings.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited available data with AFREZZA use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine drug-associated risks for adverse developmental outcomes. Available information from published studies with human insulin use during pregnancy has not reported a clear association with human insulin and adverse developmental outcomes ( see Data ). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy ( see Clinical Considerations ).
In animal reproduction studies, there were no adverse developmental outcomes with subcutaneous administration of carrier particles (vehicle without insulin) to pregnant rats during organogenesis at doses 21 times the human daily dose of 99 mg AFREZZA, based on AUC (see Data ) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6-10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with HbA1c >7 and has been reported to be as high as 20-25% in women with HbA1c >10. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S.
general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for DKA, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia- related morbidity. Data Human Data There are limited data with AFREZZA use in pregnant women.
Published data do not report a clear association with human insulin and major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes when human insulin is used during pregnancy. However, these studies cannot definitely establish the absence of any risk because of methodological limitations including small sample size and lack of blinding. Animal Data In pregnant rats given subcutaneous doses of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg/day of carrier particles (vehicle without insulin) from gestation day 6 through 17 (organogenesis), no major malformations were observed at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (21 times the human systemic exposure at a daily dose of 99 mg AFREZZA, based on AUC).
In pregnant rabbits given subcutaneous doses of 2, 10, and 100 mg/kg/day of carrier particles (vehicle without insulin) from gestation day 7 through 19 (organogenesis), adverse maternal effects were observed in all dose groups (at human systemic…
For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
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