Insulin detemir: a new option for the treatment of diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight the pharmacology, clinical data, and practical application for the use of insulin detemir, a new long-acting insulin analog in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Published clinical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies of insulin detemir, as well as contemporary studies and reviews about the management of patients with type 2 diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin therapy, if titrated appropriately, is the most physiological and effective intervention for lowering blood glucose and may help preserve beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Insulin detemir, in comparative clinical trials, has been shown to provide effective glycemic control and a consistent blood glucose-lowering response for up to 24 h, a decreased incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia, and less weight gain than other basal insulin formulations.


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin therapy is often met with resistance from both patients and healthcare providers because of concerns about its effectiveness, hypoglycemia, injections, and weight gain. Insulin detemir, designed to closely mimic basal insulin secretion, may help overcome some of the barriers to effective diabetes management, i.e., hypoglycemia and weight gain, and lead to better outcomes.
Funnell
Martha M
MM
Behavioral, Clinical, and Health Systems Intervention Research Core, Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0489, USA. mfunnell@umich.edu
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005239:Fear; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007328:Insulin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069057:Insulin Detemir; D049528:Insulin, Long-Acting; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D000069057:Insulin Detemir; D049528:Insulin, Long-Acting