Clearing the air on inhaled insulin
Big Pharma poster-child Pfizer is taking a deep breath after deciding to pull the plug on its inhaled insulin product, Exubera -- it's too bad many of Exubera's patients can't do the same thing.
Pfizer is now bailing after clinical trials revealed that Exubera users faced an increased risk of developing lung cancer. It's always amazing to me how this information surfaces after a drug has been approved and widely marketed.
Hand Pfizer a couple of boxes of tissues, because they were certain Exubera was going to be a blockbuster. But ongoing lung-safety concerns led to lackluster sales, and they returned the rights to market the drug back in October. Sales must have been very bad, considering their choice to cut bait cost them a couple of billion dollars as a bailout fee.
The Web site for Exubera has a front-page letter to patients and would-be users stating that the company didn't base its decision on any safety concerns. Pfizer contends —despite evidence to the contrary — that the product is safe. The company will only concede that the product didn't have a lot of takers, and get this—too much competition with other drugs that are effective in lowering blood sugar.
As if that's ever stopped a drug company! These are the same people who pour a gazillion dollars a year into advertising. This is a huge red flag that tells me one thing: If you're on Exubera, you'd better talk to your doctor about getting off of it immediately. And needless to say, it doesn't look like any more inhaled-insulin products will be coming down the pipeline any time soon.
I understand the letdown that many patients must feel. Many of my diabetic patients would love to avoid a shot, too. But these shots have worked for many who can't control their blood sugar—particularly in the case of type-1 diabetes, in which virtually no insulin is manufactured in the body.
With type-2 diabetes, you have a bit more latitude when it comes to controlling your blood sugar. I recommend you stick with the Glycemic Index-style diet when it comes to planning your meals. The Glycemic Index is used to measure how quickly specific foods are absorbed and spike your blood sugar and insulin. Those foods high on the index trigger higher insulin levels, while those lower on the index take several hours to release glucose slowly into the bloodstream. Basically, it means avoiding highly processed industrial sugar and flour loaded carbs.
I'm currently putting together a plan on this very topic, which will be in an upcoming issue of my newsletter, Health Revelations. If you're not already a subscriber, go to www.healthrevelations.com so you don't miss it—and many other health-boosting plans.
