Spirometry for Afrezza
You may have read or heard about a new form of insulin that is inhaled through the mouth into the lungs instead of injected. The availability of inhalable insulin is long-awaited news for people with diabetes. In June 2014 the FDA approved Afrezza®, a rapid acting inhaled insulin indicated to improve glycemic control in adult patients with diabetes mellitus. Because of the effect of Afrezza® on pulmonary function, all patients must have spirometry assessed prior to initiating therapy and regularly thereafter.
Because this is a new indication for spirometry testing there are a lot of questions about spirometer selection, staff training, and reimbursement. The spirometry testing requirements for Afrezza® not only include initial qualification but indefinite monitoring; consequently, purchasing a spirometer that is easy, accurate, maintenance-free, and reimbursable should be a priority.
We're here to help.
Spirometry should be easy and seamlessly integrate into your workflow
Utilizing the resources below will help guide your spirometer selection, streamline your testing & tracking, and clarify coding & reimbursement specific to the screening of Afrezza® patients. For assistance, contact us today via email or at 1-630-571-1980
The following is general information in regard to the required use of spirometry for Afrezza® patient selection and follow up monitoring. Full Prescribing Information can and should be obtained by contacting Mannkind Corporation.
Prior to initiating Afrezza® therapy:
Afrezza® is contraindicated in patients with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD because of the risk of acute bronchospasm in these patients. Before initiating Afrezza®, perform a medical history, physical examination and spirometry (FEV1) in all patients to identify potential lung disease.
The safety and efficacy of Afrezza® in patients who smoke has not been established. The use of Afrezza® is not recommended in patients who smoke or who have recently stopped smoking.
Afrezza® has not been studied in patients younger than 18 years of age.
After initiating Afrezza® therapy:
In addition to acquiring baseline spirometry, repeat spirometry after the first 6 months of therapy and annually thereafter, even in the absence of pulmonary symptoms. In patients who have a decline of > 20% in FEV1 from baseline, consider discontinuing Afrezza®. Consider more frequent monitoring of pulmonary function in patients with pulmonary symptoms such as wheezing, bronchospasm, breathing difficulties, or persistent or recurring cough.
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This information is not a substitute for medical advice and does not provide a complete summary of Afrezza® or any inhaled insulin product or address all considerations in making treatment decisions regarding their use. Always refer to the complete product information provided by the manufacturer.
Afrezza® is a registered trademark owned by MannKind Corporation.
Jones Medical Instrument Company is not sponsored by nor has any affiliation with Sanofi US, Inc., MannKind or the Afrezza® trademark.
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