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Diabetes Therapy
Published in: Diabetes Therapy 11/2020

Open Access 01-11-2020 | Insulin Glargine | Review

Understanding the Clinical Profile of Insulin Degludec, the Latest Basal Insulin Approved for Use in Canada: a Narrative Review

Authors: Vincent Woo, Lori Berard, Robert Roscoe

Published in: Diabetes Therapy | Issue 11/2020

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Abstract

In recent years, the development of basal insulin therapies has focused on insulin analogues that have longer durations of action and more predictable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiles than their human insulin-based predecessors, such as neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin. Dosed once-daily, such analogues can provide a more stable glucose-lowering action, which translates clinically into a reduced risk of hypoglycemia. Insulin degludec (degludec) became available in Canada in 2017 and is the first basal insulin analogue to have a half-life exceeding the dosing interval. As well as offering the promise of an exceptionally flat PK/PD profile when at steady state, this characteristic means that insulin degludec can be dosed with some flexibility with regard to time of day and that it need not be taken at the same time each day. However, the approximately 25-h half-life also has some implications concerning dose titration. This article provides an up-to-date review of the study data describing the clinical profile of degludec, and aims to give helpful and practical advice to prescribers about its use. While the clinical benefits of degludec are described, it is also acknowledged that further study is required to better understand how its clinical performance compares with that of insulin glargine 300 units/mL.
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Metadata
Title
Understanding the Clinical Profile of Insulin Degludec, the Latest Basal Insulin Approved for Use in Canada: a Narrative Review
Authors
Vincent Woo
Lori Berard
Robert Roscoe
Publication date
01-11-2020
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Diabetes Therapy / Issue 11/2020
Print ISSN: 1869-6953
Electronic ISSN: 1869-6961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-020-00915-w

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