While passive smoke exposure could result in decreased absorption, Exubera could be used by patients who were exposed to a smoky environment, the company said. The treatment can also be continued if patients develop a cold or the flu.
“This information is important for healthcare providers who have prescribed or are considering prescribing Exubera to their patients,” said Professor Philippe Camus, lead investigator from the University Medical Center in Dijon, France.
However, Exubera should not be used by people who smoke or have smoked in the past six months, or by people who have underlying lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Pfizer added.
In addition, an analysis of five clinical trials showed that people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes who used Exubera gained less weight than those using injectable insulin.