WASHINGTON--A new form of insulin approved by the Food and Drug Administration allows diabetics to ingest it through an inhaler, potentially making insulin shots a thing of the past.

Exubera, a powdered form of recombinant human insulin, is the first new delivery option introduced since insulin was discovered in the 1920s, the FDA said. Manufactured by Pfizer, Exubera can be used with a specially designed inhaler and is intended for the treatment of adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

"Until today, patients with diabetes who need insulin to manage their disease had only one way to treat their condition," said Dr. Steven Galson, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "It is our hope that the availability of inhaled insulin will offer patients more options to better control their blood sugars."

Exubera allows blood sugar to be taken up by cells as a source of fuel, lowering blood sugar concentrations, the FDA said. In clinical studies, Exubera reached peak insulin concentration faster than some insulins administered by injection. Peak insulin levels were achieved at 49 minutes (range 30 to 90 minutes) with Exubera inhaled insulin, compared to 105 minutes (range 60 to 240 minutes) with regular insulin.

In type 1 diabetes, the FDA reported, inhaled insulin may be added to longer-acting insulins as a replacement for short-acting insulin taken with meals. Inhaled insulin may be used alone in type 2 diabetes, along with oral pills that control blood sugar, or with longer-acting insulins.

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