Novo Nordisk Brings Weekly Insulin Shots to India, But Doctors Say They’re Not for Everyone

Weekly Insulin Shots in India

Many of us know that the day often begins or ends with a familiar routine of checking blood sugar levels and taking an insulin shot for many people living with diabetes. It is usual for millions of diabetes patients. They face many challenges, including the fear of injections, the inconvenience of carrying insulin while travelling, and the emotional burden of lifelong treatment, which can make diabetes management difficult. But now, a new option of Weekly Insulin Shots has arrived in India that could make the routine a little easier for some diabetes patients. 

However, doctors suggest that the new therapy is a significant medical advancement. It is not designed to replace daily insulin for everyone. 

A New Milestone in Diabetes Treatment 

More than a century has passed since Insulin was first introduced in 1922. Since then, insulin has been changing the lives of people with diabetes. Novo Nordisk has brought Weekly Insulin Shots to India using Awiqli (Insulin Icodec). Weekly basal insulin could help in cutting down the dose from 365 doses per year to 52 doses per year.

India houses about 101 million diabetes cases and 136 million pre-diabetes cases. It is one of the first few nations to introduce the drug as a new choice for Diabetes treatment.

What Are these Weekly Insulin Shots?

Awiqli contains insulin icodec. It is a once-weekly, basal insulin designed to provide continuous blood sugar regulation for a whole week. It differs from insulin used for meals since it acts continuously in the body.

Though Weekly Insulin Injections lower the number of shots, patients will still have to do blood sugar testing.

Why do these weekly insulin shots matter?

Novo Nordisk says that most people postpone insulin therapy by seven to nine years due to the fear of daily injections. Weekly Insulin Shots could solve this problem as it cuts down injections from 365 to 52 per year.

Clinical Evidence

HbA1c is an indicator of diabetes control and measures the blood glucose levels for the past two to three months. According to Novo Nordisk, the results of the trials carried out among more than 4,000 adults, including Indians, showed that Insulin Icodec was more effective than daily basal insulin in lowering HbA1c levels. 

Doctors Warning

Doctors say that these Weekly Insulin Shots are important for Diabetes Treatment, but they do not replace daily insulin for everyone. 

 Dr. Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital, said that the patients will have to check their glucose levels regularly, and this medication suits people who know how to use diabetes technology.

Dr. Anoop Misra, endocrinologist at KEM Hospital, has mentioned that weekly shots of insulin would make people more compliant with their medication regimen since there would be fewer needles to deal with, but patient selection is critical. 

Dr. Tushar Bandgar added that newer weight-loss drugs and GLP-1 receptor agonists are already reducing insulin requirements in patients. And has pointed out that such weekly shots are much more convenient and would suit those diabetics who have trouble managing daily insulin injections. Nonetheless, he believes that physicians should select the right patients for this diabetes treatment method.

Not for Every Patient

Experts emphasize that diabetes treatment must be personalized. In the case of type 1 diabetes, it requires lifelong insulin injections; however, patients with type 2 diabetes first need to make changes in their lifestyle and take oral medication before they will need insulin. The doctors will decide who is eligible for weekly insulin.

A Step Forward

The arrival of Weekly Insulin Shots is another milestone in diabetes treatment. While it may not work for every individual, it increases the number of options available and will certainly increase the convenience of Diabetes treatment for many individuals in the future.