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Afrezza is the brand name of a type of insulin thats inhaled through the mouth.
Its used to treat people with type 1 diabetes (the body doesnt produce the hormone insulin) and type 2 diabetes (the body doesnt make or use insulin normally).
Afrezza is a rapid-acting insulin that works by helping your body use sugar properly.
In people with type 1 diabetes, Afrezza must be used with another type of insulin called a long-acting insulin. People with type 2 diabetes may take Afrezza alone or in combination with another type of insulin or other drugs.
Taking this prescription medicine along with adopting a healthy lifestyle can decrease your risk of developing serious or life-threatening complications of diabetes, which may include heart disease, stroke, nerve damage from neuropathy, kidney problems, or eye issues.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Afrezza in 2014. Its marketed by Sanofi.

Afrezza Warnings

Afrezza contains a black-box warning because the medicine may cause serious lung problems in people with certain lung conditions.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and a breathing test to check your lung function before and during your treatment with Afrezza. People with lung problems shouldnt use this medicine.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing or wheezing while taking Afrezza.
Before starting on the medicine, tell your physician if you have or have had any of the following:

• A lung condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• A history of lung cancer
• Asthma
• Liver or kidney disease
• An electrolyte imbalance
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Allergies to any medicines

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you smoke or have recently quit smoking. Its not known if this medicine is safe for smokers.
In some studies, a small number of people who used Afrezza developed lung cancer, though its not known whether the drug caused the cancer. Talk to your doctor about this potential risk.
Afrezza shouldnt be used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous condition that can occur if high blood sugar is untreated).
Afrezza is only for adults. The medicine shouldnt be used by anyone younger than 18 years of age.
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you follow a specific diet and exercise plan while taking Afrezza. Follow your doctors instructions carefully.
Be sure to tell your doctor youre using Afrezza before having any type of surgery, including a dental procedure.
This drug may affect your blood sugar levels. You should be able to recognize the symptoms of a low or high blood sugar episode, and know what to do if you experience them.
Dont use Afrezza if youre having a low blood sugar episode (hypoglycemia).
Illnesses, injuries, or unusual stress can affect your blood sugar. Talk to your physician if you experience any of these changes while taking this medicine.
Your doctor will probably want to monitor your blood sugar levels often while youre taking this medication. Keep all appointments with your health care provider and laboratory.
Afrezza can help control blood sugar, but it doesnt cure diabetes. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Dont stop using Afrezza or change your dose without first talking to your doctor.
Always wear a diabetic ID bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in case of an emergency.

Pregnancy and Afrezza

Its not known whether Afrezza could harm an unborn baby.
Tell your doctor if youre pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
Its also not known whether the drug passes into breast milk. Dont breastfeed while taking Afrezza without talking to your doctor first.

Common Side Effects of Afrezza

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or dont go away:

• Cough
• Pain or irritation in the throat
• Diarrhea
• Tiredness

Serious Side Effects of Afrezza

Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms listed in the Warning section or any of the following serious side effects:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Extreme drowsiness
• Rapid weight gain
• Symptoms of low blood potassium (hypokalemia), which may include abnormal heartbeat, muscle pain, confusion, extreme thirst, leg discomfort, or muscle weakness
• Signs of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which may include itching, a full-body skin rash, hives, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out
• Symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may include dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, fast heartbeat, chills, headache, hunger, increased sweating, tremors, vision changes, or weakness

Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs youre taking, especially:

• AccuNeb, ProAir, Proventil, others (albuterol)
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) such as Lotensin, Lotrel (benazepril); Capoten (captopril); Enalaprilat, Vasotec, Vaseretic (enalapril); fosinopril; Prinzide, Zestoretic (lisinopril); Univasc, Uniretic (moexipril); Aceon, Prestalia (perindopril); Accupril, Accuretic, Quinaretic (quinapril); and Altace (ramipril)
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs ) such as Edarbi, Edarbyclor (azilsartan); Atacand, Atacand HCT (candesartan); Teveten, Teveten HCT (eprosartan); Avapro, Avalide (irbesartan); Cozaar, Hyzaar (losartan); Micardis, Micardis HCT, Twynsta (telmisartan); and Diovan, Diovan HCT, Exforge (valsartan)
• Beta-blockers such as Tenormin, Tenoretic (atenolol); Trandate, Corzide (labetalol); Lopressor, Toprol XL (metoprolol); Corgard, Corzide (nadolol); and Hemangeol, Inderal LA, InnoPran XL (propranolol)
• Catapres, Catapres-TTS, Kapvay, Clorpres, others (clonidine)
• Clozaril, Fazaclo ODT, Versacloz (clozapine)
• Danazol
• Norpace (disopyramide)
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Lipofen, TriCor, Triglide (fenofibrate)
• Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, Symbyax (fluoxetine)
• Lopid (gemfibrozil)
• HIV protease inhibitors including Reyataz (atazanavir); Crixivan (indinavir); Kaletra (lopinavir); Viracept (nelfinavir); Norvir, Kaletra, Viekira Pak (ritonavir); and Invirase (saquinavir)
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Laniazid, Rifamate, Rifater (isoniazid)
• Lithobid (lithium)
• Medications for asthma and colds
• Medications for mental illness and nausea
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs ) including Marplan (isocarboxazid); Nardil (phenelzine); Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar (selegiline); Parnate (tranylcypromine); and Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar (selegiline)
• Niacin
• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) 
• Oral medications for diabetes known as thiazolidinediones, including Actos (pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone)
• Oral steroids such as dexamethasone, Medrol (methylprednisolone), and Rayos (prednisone)
• Sandostatin (octreotide)
• Zyprexa, Zydis, Symbyax (olanzapine)
• Other inhaled medications
• NebuPent, Pentam (pentamidine)
• Pentoxil (pentoxifylline)
• Symlin (pramlintide)
• Propoxyphene (not available in the U.S.)
• Reserpine
• Salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin; choline magnesium trisalicylate; choline salicylate; diflunisal; Doans (magnesium salicylate); and salsalate
• Genotropin, Humatrope, Nutropin, Serostim, others (somatropin)
• Sulfa antibiotics
• Terbutaline
• Thyroid medications

Afrezza and Other Interactions

Afrezza may impair your reactions. Dont drive or perform activities that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.

Afrezza and Alcohol

Alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor if its safe to consume alcoholic beverages while taking Afrezza.