Insulin aspart
Classification: AATC code: A10AB05, A10AD05
Summary
Controlled studies on differences between men and women are lacking. One meta-analysis has shown a possible higher risk of hypoglycemia in women.
Additional information
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the pharmacokinetics of insulin aspart have been found.
Effects
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the effects of insulin aspart have been found.
Adverse effects
No study on sex differences regarding safety of insulin aspart has been found. Analyses of other insulins have however shown a higher risk for women to have hypoglycemic events.One study retrospectively analysed four large trials including 713 patients (378 men, 335 women) with type 2 diabetes. Insulin glulisine was added to a basal treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) and insulin glargine. Female sex was identified as a predictor of nocturnal and symptomatic hypoglycemia (OR 1.82; 95 % CI 1.07-3.11 and OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.31-2.78) [1]. Furthermore, several meta analyses have shown similar data [2-4].
Reproductive health issues
Concurrent administration of insulin aspart and oral contraceptives may decrease the effect of insulin aspart [5]. Regarding drug-drug interactions aspects, please consult Janusmed Interactions (in Swedish, Janusmed interaktioner).
Insulin aspart can be used in pregnant women. Insulin requirements may change during pregnancy, and quickly return to normal after delivery [5]. Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Other information
Two observational studies from the 1990’s with a total of 418 patients (43 men, 374 women) reported intentional insulin omission among 1/3 of women to control their weight [6,7].
In a retrospective study in 124 women, perimenstrual changes in selfreported glucose concentrations were found in 61%. Use of oral contraceptives did not diminish variability in blood glucosis [8]. In another study based on questionnaires (406 women) 67% of the participants reported changes in blood glucose levels or glycosuria premenstrually and 70% during the menstrual phase. Those with more cravings had larger elevations in blood glucosis levels suggesting that giving in to cravings might cause the changes [9].
Updated: 2018-01-07
Date of litterature search: 2017-09-20
References
- Seufert J, Brath H, Pscherer S, Borck A, Bramlage P, Siegmund T. Composite efficacy parameters and predictors of hypoglycaemia in basal-plus insulin therapy--a combined analysis of 713 type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2014;16:248-54. PubMed
- Kautzky-Willer A, Kosi L, Lin J, Mihaljevic R. Gender-based differences in glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia prevalence in patients with type 2 diabetes: results from patient-level pooled data of six randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2015;17:533-40. PubMed
- McGill JB, Vlajnic A, Knutsen PG, Recklein C, Rimler M, Fisher SJ. Effect of gender on treatment outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2013;102:167-74. PubMed
- Owens DR, Bolli GB, Charbonnel B, Haak T, Landgraf W, Porcellati F et al. Effects of age, gender, and body mass index on efficacy and hypoglycaemia outcomes across treat-to-target trials with insulin glargine 100 U/mL added to oral antidiabetes agents in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2017;19:1546-1554. PubMed
- NovoRapid (insulin aspart). Summary of Product Characteristics. European Medicines Agency (EMA); 2017.
- Polonsky WH, Anderson BJ, Lohrer PA, Aponte JE, Jacobson AM, Cole CF. Insulin omission in women with IDDM. Diabetes Care. 1994;17:1178-85. PubMed
- Bryden KS, Neil A, Mayou RA, Peveler RC, Fairburn CG, Dunger DB. Eating habits, body weight, and insulin misuse A longitudinal study of teenagers and young adults with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 1999;22:1956-60. PubMed
- Lunt H, Brown LJ. Self-reported changes in capillary glucose and insulin requirements during the menstrual cycle. Diabet Med. 1996;13:525-30. PubMed
- Cawood EH, Bancroft J, Steel JM. Perimenstrual symptoms in women with diabetes mellitus and the relationship to diabetic control. Diabet Med. 1993;10:444-8. PubMed
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2016 [cited 2017-12-08.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson