Inhaled Insulin Shows Promise as Safe Option for diabetes management in Pregnancy: Study
A study published in Pregnancy suggests that inhaled technosphere insulin may be a safe alternative to rapid-acting insulin analogs for diabetes management during pregnancy. Cases demonstrated effective postprandial blood glucose control, and researchers recommend further studies comparing efficacy and safety with rapid-acting insulin analogs.
The case series, conducted by researchers from the University of Texas, reported outcomes in pregnant women with diabetes who used technosphere insulin during the gestational period. The investigators observed that inhaled insulin was effective at reducing post-meal glucose spikes, a key challenge in diabetes management during pregnancy. Importantly, no major maternal or neonatal safety concerns were identified.
Technosphere insulin, delivered via inhalation, has been previously studied as a non-invasive alternative to subcutaneous injections in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In pregnancy, where insulin requirements fluctuate due to hormonal changes, the ability to achieve tighter postprandial control without increasing hypoglycemia risk is particularly valuable.
The study highlights the potential benefits of inhaled insulin for pregnant patients who face challenges with multiple daily injections or who experience significant anxiety related to injectable therapy. Researchers also noted that patient adherence and satisfaction appeared higher with inhaled insulin, which could translate to improved long-term glycemic outcomes.
However, the authors caution that the current evidence is limited to small case series, and randomized controlled trials are needed to directly compare inhaled technosphere insulin with established rapid-acting analogs in pregnant populations. Until such data are available, the use of inhaled insulin in pregnancy should be considered experimental and reserved for carefully selected cases under close supervision.
The findings add to the growing discussion on expanding treatment options for diabetes management in pregnancy, where balancing maternal safety and fetal health remains critical.
