Use of Insulin Suppositories as Treatment for Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and the need for routine insulin injections is one of the most unpleasant parts of treatment. Recent clinical trials have assessed the use of insulin suppositories as a means to eliminate the needle sticks.

Facts

• Experimental insulin suppositories are placed into the patient's rectum, where the insulin is absorbed into the blood stream. The insulin acts to reduce the blood glucose level of diabetic patients.

Administration

• Insulin suppositories are administered to the patient rectally, 15 minutes after meals, three times per day. Doses vary depending on the patient's prescription and food intake.

Advantages

• The primary advantage of rectal suppositories over insulin injections is that they are much easier for the patient to administer. In addition, they don't require ancillary supplies, such as syringes and needles.

Effectiveness

• According to the American Diabetes Association care, insulin suppositories are effective in reducing the postprandial (after-eating) glucose levels in blood as well as in urine. The Journal of Pharmacology states that insulin suppositories also help to avoid excessively high levels of insulin after administration, as can be associated with insulin injections.

Considerations

• Insulin suppositories are still in the experimental phase, and are not yet widely available for use by most diabetics.