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Published on: June 25, 2019
Degludec insulin: A novel basal insulin
Sanjay Kalra1, Ambika Gopalakrishnan Unnikrishnan, Manash Baruah
1Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital and BRIDE, Karnal, India.
Insulin degludec shows promise as an ideal basal insulin, addressing limitations of current options. This review covers its pharmacology and clinical data for diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Diabetes Mellitus Research
Background:
- Existing basal insulins and analogues have limitations impacting glycemic control and patient convenience.
- There is a continuous need for improved basal insulin therapies in diabetes management.
- Novel insulin formulations aim to provide more predictable pharmacokinetic profiles and reduced variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the novel insulin analogue, insulin degludec, as a potential ideal basal insulin.
- To discuss the limitations of current basal insulins and the need for newer molecules.
- To assess the pharmacologic and clinical evidence for insulin degludec and insulin degludec plus.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published pharmacologic and clinical studies on insulin degludec.
- Analysis of data regarding the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of insulin degludec.
- Evaluation of clinical trial outcomes, including efficacy, safety, and patient-reported benefits.
Main Results:
- Insulin degludec exhibits an ultra-long duration of action with a flat pharmacokinetic profile.
- Clinical studies demonstrate effective glycemic control with a low risk of hypoglycemia for insulin degludec.
- Insulin degludec offers potential advantages in flexibility of dosing and reduced mealtime insulin requirements.
Conclusions:
- Insulin degludec represents a significant advancement in basal insulin therapy.
- Its unique properties may offer improved treatment options for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- Further research and real-world data will continue to define the role of insulin degludec and degludec plus in clinical practice.
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