Long-Acting Insulins Useful Tools in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers have augmented insulin's effectiveness with several rapid and long-acting analogues and new delivery systems such as insulin pens and insulin pumps. Biosynthetic preparations with various pharmacokinetic profiles somewhat mimic the steady insulin release from a normal pancreas. Long-acting insulins create unprecedented prescribing flexibility, as prescribers can tailor patients' regimens to their individual activity levels, eating habits, and responses to insuli

Insulin is a necessity for patients who have type 1 diabetes (T1D). For many people who have type 2 diabetes (T2D), insulin can improve glycemic control significantly. Still, many clinicians are reluctant to initiate injectable glucose-lowering therapies in T2D. They often perceive, rationally or irrationally, that patients will have difficulty understanding complex regimens. Many clinicians also report that they are less proficient than they would like with insulin, creating discomfort with diabetes management.¹ And they perceive that multidose insulin regimens may be associated with increased episodes of hypoglycemia, though they are not.² However, today's long-acting insulins such as insulin detemir, insulin glargine (IGlar), and insulin degludec (IDeg) offer convenience that increases adherence significantly (Table 1^3-7). They also tend to have fewer adverse effects, which can simplify patients' regimens and improve control.^3-7

Designing a Regimen

For most patients, designing an optimal insulin regimen is a continuing process that may require formulation changes, dose-related fine tuning, and introduction of insulin or multiple insulin products when patients cannot meet glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) goals by other means.

The long-acting insulin products have advantages and disadvantages. Each offers once-daily dosing. IDeg's ultralong duration of action might allow flexibility in dosing times but not longer intervals between scheduled doses. IDeg is indicated as a once-daily insulin, but its long duration of action may be advantageous in nonadherent patients because coverage continues if they miss one dose.⁸

In T1D patients, insulin detemir must be used with rapid- or short-acting insulin.⁵ Although IGlar-100 and insulin detemir can be dosed once daily, patients who experience hyperglycemia close to the time that the next dose is scheduled may need twice-daily dosing.^4-7

Highly concentrated, IGlar-300 may be advantageous for patients who take large doses of insulin, as it requires a smaller volume and sometimes, a smaller number of injections. One clinical trial demonstrated that IGlar-300 is associated with less weight gain. However, patients required about 10% more insulin when using IGlar-300, compared with IGlar-100.⁷ Clinical trials excluded patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction, so prescribers will need to monitor carefully when prescribing either product in patients with organ dysfunction.^3-7

Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or method of administration may precipitate a need to change the insulin dose or an adjustment of concomitant antidiabetic treatment. Clinicians often find conversion between insulin formulations somewhat complicated, but it doesn't need to be (Table 2^3-7,9).^3,6,7

Ms. Wick is a visiting professor at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy.

References

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• Basaglar [insulin glargine injection package insert]. Indianapolis, IN: Lilly USA, LLC; 2015.
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