Could a Once-a-week Insulin Injection Alter the Treatment of Diabetes?

In a new turn of events, research trials showed that weekly insulin can work as a treatment to treat and manage diabetes. Some medical professionals concur that it is the right move in the right direction. The research involved hundreds of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research analysts managed to evaluate the efficacy and safety concerns of long-form insulin called “insulin Icodec.” The extensive research also involved participants from various countries.

The second trial of the research proved that people with diabetes could move from daily insulin injections to weekly Icodec-based injections. The research shows the transition from daily to weekly to be effective and safe for people with diabetes.

Once-a-Week Insulin Injection: What Will be the “Next” Move?

The research still requires more affirmation and reaffirmation of findings. Still, it is excellent news for Individuals who have no choice but to inject insulin on a day-to-day basis. Besides, more than 10% of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes. It means over 7 million Americans have to use standard insulin to manage blood sugar levels.

However, the tide is changing, and the new research brings a new ray of light for people with diabetes across the U.S. You have to understand that essentially, an insulin compound is a hormone produced by the pancreas that moves sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. However, a diabetic’s body can no longer produce the required insulin or no insulin at all.

Insulin Treatment and Insulin Administration

Sure, no one can deny the fact that insulin is an excellent treatment, but the added burden to administer insulin is another story. And that’s why the timing of this new research couldn’t be more perfect. It is no longer a fantasy for people with diabetes to take their insulin injections once a week. In fact, more findings will help realize this convenience for people with diabetes and bring down traditional administration barriers for people.

You may not be aware of it, but medical professionals and scientific researchers worldwide have been on the lookout to find a more efficient and effective way to inject insulin. Besides, people with diabetes don’t deserve the exhaustion (and embarrassment) of injecting insulin every single day.

Research Phase 2 and How Insulin “Icodec” Works

It is crucial to remember that the new extensive research involves a combination of sequential studies. Phase 2 of these studies showed promising results of weekly insulin injections for type 2 diabetes.

Scientifically, insulin Icodec reversibly binds the insulin to the binding albumin. As a result, the binding agent, albumin, slows down the release of an insulin analog and extends the life of the insulin for one week.

Limitations of Contemporary Insulin Therapies

Contrary to misguided perceptions, there is no mindless practice to inject insulin without any cause of concern. Before a person with diabetes injects insulin, they have to figure out the proper dose of medication that would support “their” levels of blood sugar. This variation can differ from one person to another and depends on stress level, exercise, and total carbohydrates in a diet.

Insulin Injections are More Complicated than You Think

It would be an understatement to call insulin injections complicated. When it comes to injecting insulin daily, people with diabetes often make injection site or dosage errors. Over time, these types of mistakes create more complications like diabetic ketoacidosis and low or high blood sugar for diabetic patients.

Icodec injections: New Standard for Insulin Therapy?

Over the years, there have been several scientific advancements in current insulin therapy. But there are still new opportunities for researchers to explore to make insulin administration more effective and safe for people with diabetes across the globe. And icodec injections have the power to alleviate the suffering and burden of millions of diabetic patients.

More Focus on Convenience

When it comes to managing and controlling type 2 diabetes, individuals want more convenience than ever. And the new research findings are optimistic and offer a more convenient approach to people with diabetes to take insulin injections.

Some people with diabetes require more than one injection per day. But the results of this research come across as game-changing that would favor people with diabetes. Dr. Ildiko Lingvay, the lead author of the published research, affirms that weekly insulin is far more convenient and practical for diabetic patients.

Final Thoughts

If further examination of the findings proves correct, this scientific study will become a savior to patients who take seven insulin injections per day. In hindsight, there are some strings attached to the new research, but it doesn’t change the fact that the weekly insulin injection option is much better for people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels and live healthy and normal lives.

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/once-a-week-insulin-treatment-may-be-a-novel-way-to-treat-diabetes
2.  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/949924
3.  https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2021/04/15/dc20-2878
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210419135655.htm#:~:text=2-,Once%2Da%2Dweek%20insulin%20treatment%20could%20be%20game%2D,changing%20for%20patients%20with%20diabetes&text=Summary%3A,of%20two%20international%20clinical%20trials.
5. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-once-a-week-insulin-diabetes-early-trial.html