People living with diabetes could soon have the chance to ditch the daily injections thanks to a new insulin spray that is waiting to undergo clinical trials.
A team of researchers based in Norway are set to test the spray to see if it can control blood sugar levels the same way, or if not better, as daily jabs do.
The spray would enable individuals with diabetes to squirt the insulin directly on to their inner forearm.
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The insulin would be absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes, helping the individual’s cells soak up sugar from the blood.
Experts say that the pocket-sized spray could transform the lives of people with diabetes who have to inject themselves three or more times a day.
Not administering the right amount of insulin can trigger an individual’s blood sugar levels to increase.
High blood sugar can cause unrepairable damage to an individual’s nerves, kidneys, blood vessels and eyes.
Daily insulin injections are typically used by individuals with type 1 diabetes, however one in four people with type 2 diabetes also end up needing them.
More than 30% of people purposely avoid injecting their insulin because they are embarrassed to do it in public or they are scared of needles, Diabetes UK has reported.
According to the researchers, individuals who frequently miss their insulin injections are more at risk of experiencing serious health problems, including lower limb amputation, cardiovascular disease and blindness.
Made up of insulin and propylene carbonate, the new insulin spray would act as a less invasive option for people living with diabetes.
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Propylene carbonate is a chemical that helps cosmetic skin creams to penetrate the outer layers of the skin.
Developed by the Norwegian company InsuLife, the spray will be tested on 12 people with type 1 diabetes during the clinical trial.
In a prior study, scientists have already found that the spray reduced the blood sugar levels of five participants by 20% after a meal.
Consultant Diabetologist Dr Hood Thabit said: “It’s not clear yet how safe or effective the insulin spray will be, nor how much users would need to apply to get the desired effect on blood sugar levels.
“If it is safe and effective then it might be an important step forward for those who suffer with needle phobia.”
