Insulin Icodec Represents A Promising Option for Managing Diabetes, Improving Quality of Life
Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, FCCP, discusses how insulin icodec differs from existing daily basal insulins and key things pharmacists need to know about the medication.
In the United States, about 38 million people have diabetes and more than 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes but are unaware of it.1 The prevalence of the disease in the country is also expected to continue increasing, with some research estimating that more than 54 million people will have diabetes by 2030.2 As diabetes represents a major health crisis in the US, increasing awareness and improving disease management are crucial.
Insulin is an essential diabetes management therapy in the US, with 12.3% of adults estimated to initiate insulin therapy within their first year of a diabetes diagnosis. Adherence to insulin is crucial to achieving good glycemic control in patients with diabetes. However, adherence rates remain low due to several factors, including social stigma, impact of its use on daily life, and fear of side effects.3
Insulin icodec, a human insulin analog formulation administered subcutaneously once weekly, is a promising therapy for patients with diabetes that may help increase adherence. Sold under the brand name Awiqli by Novo Nordisk, insulin icodec is approved to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan and Switzerland. But in July 2024, the FDA declined to approve insulin icodec in the US due to issues related to the manufacturing process and the type 1 diabetes indication.4
In a recent met-analysis, investigators evaluated the efficacy, safety, and clinical implications of insulin icodec. For the study, a literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to August 26, 2024. The study concluded that insulin icodec could potentially improve treatment adherence and quality of life for patients with diabetes and that it represents a “significant innovation in insulin therapy.”5
Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, FCCP, lead author on the study and a professor of pharmacy practice at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, recently sat down with Drug Topics to discuss how insulin icodec differs from existing daily basal insulins, important findings from the study, if the FDA’s decision will negatively impact patients with diabetes, and key things pharmacists need to know about the therapy.
