Israel scientists hold trial on first ever insulin pill for Diabetes patients

[IDemo]

Doctors who treat diabetes have made a breakthrough by developing insulin in the form of a tablet. At present, many diabetics have to treat their illness with an insulin injection up to three times a day.

Around a million people in Britain are thought to need insulin injections for a day to survive.

The new insulin pill - the first ever - has been developed by doctors and scientists in the U.S. and Israel. Trials are already under way and results so far show that the tablet works well at delivering insulin into the bloodstream.

Scientists have been trying for years to develop an insulin pill for diabetes, ever since the discovery of the hormone by Canadian doctors, Banting and Best, 80 years ago.

http://graphic.com.gh/international/international-news/20554-israel-scientists-hold-trial-on-first-ever-insulin-pill-for-diabetes-patients.html

[Nay]

1. Well, good. I'm type 2 and don't need insulin, but if I ever do, I'd much

rather take a pill than stick myself.

[IDemo]

2. My main concern with this

Is that I frequently adjust my mealtime 'bolus' dosage depending on BG level, meal carbohydrates, anticipated activity level, etc.

This might be useful for the basal dosage, which doesn't generally vary.

[Nay]

3. I wonder how the pill system would address that? I know my type 1 friend

Last edited Thu Apr 3, 2014, 04:31 PM - Edit history (1)

has to adjust her dosage all the time too. Still, pills for the basal dosage and sticks for the rest result in fewer sticks. Plus I assume that pills don't have to be kept cool.

[IDemo]

4. I wonder the same thing about the premixed insulin pens

I may not always want the same increase or decrease of both short and long acting types.