2 - Routes of administration of insulin

Abstract

The most ubiquitous treatment strategy for DM focuses on the control of postprandial blood glucose, i.e. glucose level after food intake. The goal of an exogenous insulin regimen in diabetics is to mimic the physiological profile observed in a healthy person (non-diabetic). In the past few years, there has been a great deal of interest and research worldwide in the development of non-invasive routes for delivery of insulin. Various routes of administration have been explored to avoid regular dependence on multiple subcutaneous injections and to improve the metabolic effects of insulin. The objective of this chapter is to provide an update on the various approaches that have been explored so far to achieve therapeutic insulin levels using non-invasive drug delivery routes.