In a nutshell
This study compared the effectiveness and safety of fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) to conventional insulin aspart (IAsp) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It determined that faster aspart could control blood glucose levels as well as IAsp, without increasing the risk of side effects.
Some background
Reducing HbA1c (average blood glucose levels over the last 3 months) can reduce diabetes-related complications. Controlling blood glucose levels after a meal is important in controlling HbA1c. IAsp is a type of insulin that can control changes in blood glucose after a meal, because it acts quickly over a short period of time. Faster aspart is a newer insulin drug, that aims to further improve control of blood glucose levels after a meal by acting even faster.
Methods & findings
This study compared the effectiveness of faster aspart to IAsp. 1143 adults with T1D were included in this study. They were randomly divided into 3 groups. One group received IAsp at mealtimes (0-2 minutes before the start of a meal). The second group received faster aspart at mealtimes. The third group received faster aspart 20 minutes after the start of a meal. Patients were treated for 26 weeks.
After 26 weeks, mealtime faster aspart reduced HbA1c more than IAsp. Participants who took faster aspart at mealtimes were 47% more likely to achieve HbA1c levels less than 7% than those who took IAsp at mealtimes. Faster aspart that was taken after meals reduced HbA1c as much as IAsp.
Blood glucose levels were reduced in all three groups. Faster aspart, when taken at mealtimes, improved control of blood glucose levels after a meal more than IAsp. Side effects were similar for all three groups.
The bottom line
The study concluded that faster aspart, at mealtimes, reduced HbA1c as much as IAsp, and was better at controlling blood glucose levels after a meal. They determined that faster aspart does not increase the risk of side effects compared to IAsp. They also found that faster aspart may be taken after meals, without worsening control of blood glucose levels.
The fine print
This study was funded by the manufacturers of faster aspart.
Published By :
Diabetes Care
Date :
Mar 29, 2017
