Insights into Inhaled Insulin from T1D Exchange at ADCES 2025

This year, the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) conference was held in Phoenix, AZ, from August 8 to 11. Every year, ADCES brings together diabetes experts, including clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals.   

The T1D Exchange Research team presented two posters during the conference, sharing results from research with our online registry of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).  

Here’s a closer look at the work we presented at ADCES, which focuses on  inhaled insulin usage in people with T1D.  

Assessing Access and Utilization of Inhaled Insulin among T1D Exchange Registry Users 

While most people inject insulin using pens or pumps, inhaled insulin is another option. Inhaled insulin typically kicks in faster and doesn’t stay in the body as long as standard injected insulins.  

Although inhaled insulin has been available for nearly 10 years, there is still limited knowledge about how people actually use it in the real world. 

For this study presented at ADCES, we surveyed 151 adults with T1D participating in the T1D Exchange Registry who have used inhaled insulin, including some who are still using it and some who have stopped.  

We asked participants about their duration and frequency of inhaled insulin use, how they initially learned about it, and its costs. 

Here’s what we found: 

• Current vs. Past Use: Approximately two-thirds of current users have been using inhaled insulin for over two years, and almost half use it daily. Most former users stopped using it within their first year of starting. 

• How People Learn About It: Only 38% of inhaled insulin users reported hearing about it from their healthcare providers. Many found out through online diabetes communities or from friends and family. 

• Who Starts the Conversation: Most users (especially current ones) indicated that they brought up inhaled insulin with their healthcare providers, rather than the providers bringing it up. Only about a quarter of users said their healthcare provider initially recommended it. 

• Insurance and Cost: Nearly half of the people in the study said their insurance covers inhaled insulin mostly or entirely, and over half reported that their out-of-pocket cost was about the same as, or even lower than, their costs for other types of insulin. However, some said the cost was higher, particularly among those who eventually stopped using it. 

What This Means: 

Inhaled insulin seems to be a good option for many individuals with T1D. It’s well-regarded among those who use it regularly, and many report that insurance makes the cost manageable.  

However, there appears to be a lack of awareness and support from healthcare providers; people with T1D often take the lead in asking for an inhaled insulin prescription. That could be a missed opportunity, especially since many users have had such positive experiences. 

Improving education for healthcare providers and people with diabetes could increase awareness and access, and increased knowledge about savings programs could lower costs for those needing financial support. 

Satisfaction and Perceived Impact of Inhaled Insulin Among T1D Exchange Registry Users 

This ADCES presentation builds on insights into how people learn about and access inhaled insulin, focusing on how it affects users’ day-to-day lives.  

The T1D Exchange Research team asked participants about their satisfaction with the treatment, its effect on their quality of life, and whether they’d recommend inhaled insulin to others. 

Here’s what we found:  

• Satisfaction with Inhaled Insulin: The results indicate strong support among current users. A significant majority (76%) said they’re very likely to continue using it and 60% reported being very satisfied with the product.  

• Quality of Life Impact: When asked how it impacted their lives, nearly three-quarters of all users said it improved their quality of life, to some extent or a great deal. 

• Recommending to Others: Current users generally expressed enthusiasm for recommending inhaled insulin to others with diabetes: 85% said they would strongly encourage a friend or family member to discuss it with their healthcare provider. Even 31% of past users still strongly recommended others consider it, suggesting that many recognize the value of it, even if they face barriers to continuing. 

• Cost and Insurance Challenges: Despite high satisfaction with inhaled insulin, users reported challenges such as prior authorizations and high out-of-pocket expenses.  

What This Means 

The study points to a need for improved education on savings options, including Medicare coverage and manufacturer savings cards, which could help eligible users reduce their monthly cost to as low as $35. 

These studies indicate that inhaled insulin can significantly impact blood glucose management and overall quality of life for those who can use it.  

With increased awareness, better insurance coverage, and better support from healthcare providers, this option could become more accessible to more people who could benefit from it.