What are your thoughts on the new insulin, glargine, just approved by the FDA, produced by Aventis Pharmaceuticals? Will it replace the need for the pump?

Lantus (insulin glargine), is a promising new insulin for the management of diabetes. Given once a day at bedtime, it is equivalent to two doses of NPH, but it does have to be given in a separate syringe. At this stage, it is difficult to predict what will be the most popular modalities for insulin in achieving meticulous control in the years to come. Pumps are being increasingly used, and they will get a further boost when they can be combined with some kind of subcutaneous or intraperitoneal glucose sensor like those being planned by Animas Corporation, Disetronic Medical Systems, MiniMed, Inc., and other companies. There will still be some people though who find pumps cosmetically awkward or just cumbersome who will still achieve excellent control with lispro at meal times and glargine at bedtime.

DOB