Novolog Mix 70/30 (70 per cent insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30 per cent insulin aspart injection), a dual-action insulin analog that does not contain NPH insulin, is more effective in helping patients initiating insulin therapy achieve control of their blood glucose levels compared to insulin glargine, according to data from the INITIATE (INITiation of Insulin to reach A1c TargEt) study presented at the 64th annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

"This study illustrates the value of initiating insulin therapy with a dual-acting insulin analog that provides a physiological approach to controlling insulin needs at mealtime and throughout the day," commented the study's lead investigator Philip Raskin, professor of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas.

INITIATE evaluated insulin-naïve patients whose blood glucose levels were not being adequately controlled with oral diabetes medications (A1C levels > 8 per cent). At the end of 28 weeks, the study showed that 66 percent of patients taking NovoLog Mix 70/30 reached target A1C levels of 7.0 per cent compared to 40 per cent taking insulin glargine. Indeed, 42 per cent of individuals on NovoLog Mix 70/30 achieved an A1C of equal to or less than 6.5 per cent compared to 28 per cent receiving glargine. Mean A1C reduction was 0.43 percent point lower in the NovoLog Mix 70/30 group versus the insulin glargine group (-2.79 vs. -2.36 A1C reduction, p<0.01).

In the study, hypoglycemic events were the most common side effect reported in both groups. Major hypoglycemic events were rare, with no major events reported in the NovoLog Mix 70/30 group and one observed in the insulin glargine group. Minor hypoglycemic events occurred more frequently with NovoLog Mix 70/30 compared to insulin glargine.

In other data presented at the ADA, 23 per cent of patients taking once-daily NovoLog Mix 70/30 achieved target A1C =6.5 per cent, and 42 per cent reached A1C <7.0 per cent, when added to oral anti-diabetic therapy in type 2 diabetes patients whose blood glucose levels were not being adequately controlled with oral diabetes medications and/or basal insulin.

"This research demonstrates that once-daily therapy with NovoLog Mix 70/30 is a reasonable option to help transition patients to insulin therapy and achieve recommended blood glucose targets," said study author Rajeev Jain, an endocrinologist at the Milwaukee Medical Clinic in Wisconsin.