[Inhaled insulin. General characteristics. Repercussion on lung function]

Inhaled insulin satisfies the unsuccessful search for non-injectable insulin pathways for the chronic treatment of diabetes. Its use will allow insulin-dependent patients to even receive a single daily injection of basal insulin or early insulinization in patients with type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control, many of whom maintain the treatment with oral antidiabetics due to aversion to the subcutaneous route (sc). Current data indicate that this insulin is at least as effective as the sc in regards to glucose control. However, clinical experience will clarify its true efficacy and the presence of possible side effects in the long term, especially on the lung function. In this sense, it has been observed that inhaled insulin leads a non-significant small decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). This appears early and does not progress during the first 2 years of treatment, being reversible after its withdrawal.