How efficient is inhaled insulin for type 2 diabetes?
Chairman, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes,
Medanta - The Medicity,
Gurugram
Q: I am a 57 years old female. I would like to know how efficient and safe is inhaled insulin for type 2 diabetes. Where and how do we get this product information and supply? Can we use insulin inhaler instead of daily insulin pricks? Also tell me whether stem cell therapy has come to be practiced and advisible for reversal of type 2 diabetes. Is pancreatic transplant successful? If yes, where?
A:Even though inhaled insulin is safe to use in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients, it does not replace long acting insulin which has to be taken before meals. However, it has been withdrawn from the market for commercial reasons. Stem cell therapy is not practiced for Type 2 diabetes but has a greater potential in Type 1 diabetes. Pancreatic transplant is done in selected centers for Type 1 diabetes patients. However, your schedule of insulin looks strange. One forty units/day of long acting insulin is not a good option. You need to see an expert endocrinologist.