FDA approves diabetes drug Afrezza

WASHINGTON — Afrezza, an inhaled insulin powder meant to treat diabetes patients, was approved Friday by the Food and Drug Administration.

The powder — manufactured by MannKind Corp. — is an inhalable dose of insulin that can be taken before meals to control blood sugar for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The drug is not meant to replace long-acting insulin in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Along with approval, the FDA is requiring more clinical trials to test whether Afrezza is safe and effective for pediatric patients. Additionally, the approval comes with a plan to let doctors and pharmacists know that the drug poses a risk of acute bronchospasm when used by patients with asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.