# Insulin-Delivering Inhalers The Afrezza Inhaler is an FDA-Approved Drug for Diabetes By Meghan Young | Published 2014-07-02 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afrezza-inhaler References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/27/5851162/fda-approves-new-insulin-inhaler-for-diabetics) & [mannkindcorp](http://www.mannkindcorp.com) The Afrezza inhaler could revolutionize the way diabetics take their medication. Recently approved by the [FDA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnipod-5), it is a stepping stone into a new age where needles are obsolete, replaced with airborne drugs that are easy, convenient and pain-free. Granted, the Afrezza inhaler is similar to Exubera, which was introduced by pharmaceutical giant [Pfizer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/covid19-pill) in 2006. Yet it is smaller and less complicated. Developed by California-based MannKind Corporation, the Afrezza inhaler is currently not meant to replace insulin injections. Instead, it is "an alternative to them at meal times given the powder's short-term effects that kick in within what the company says is between 12 to 15 minutes," according to [The Verge](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-verge-sony-giveaway). Studies are still required to track its long-term effects. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Needle-free Medication:** The development of insulin-delivering inhalers could disrupt traditional needle-based medication administration, creating opportunities for more pain-free and convenient treatment options. - **Short-term Effect Medication:** The short-term effects of inhalable insulin could lead to new opportunities for treating diabetes alongside traditional medication options. - **Compact Inhalation Technology:** The development of smaller, more compact inhaler devices could create opportunities for more discreet medication administration in various industries outside of healthcare. ### Who This Affects Most - **Pharmaceuticals:** Pharmaceutical companies have an opportunity to invest in and develop needle-free insulin delivery alternatives, increasing their value proposition to diabetic patients, healthcare providers and payers. - **Medical Devices:** The medical device industry could create fully integrated inhaleable insulin delivery systems, providing a more seamless and user-friendly experience for diabetic patients. - **Wellness:** Inhalable insulin could have applications in wellness industries, such as fitness and weight-loss, where snacking and early diabetes cases may require on-demand insulin supplementation without the need for needles. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Injection-Free Insulin Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cequr-simplicity.md) - [Portable Diabetes Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inspo-smart-insulin.md) - [Tubeless Insulin Delivery Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnipod-5.md) - [Connected Insulin Injection Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-insulin-pen-caps.md) - [Self-Adjusting Insulin Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insulin-system.md) - [Groundbreaking Basal Insulins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basal-insulin.md) - [Groundbreaking Glucose Control Treatments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sipore.md) - [Data-Driven Bluetooth Inhalers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goresp-digihaler.md) - [Digitized Medication Inhalers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mae-inhaler.md)