India has become one of the first countries to introduce Awiqli (insulin icodec), the world’s first once-a-week basal insulin for adults with diabetes. Developed by Novo Nordisk, this innovative treatment is designed to reduce the burden of daily insulin injections while helping patients maintain stable blood sugar levels.
The launch is particularly significant for India, which has one of the largest populations of people living with diabetes. According to recent estimates, more than 101 million Indians have diabetes, while another 136 million people are living with prediabetes, making better treatment options a national healthcare priority.
What Is Awiqli?
Awiqli is the brand name for insulin icodec, a long-acting basal insulin that is injected only once every week instead of once every day.
Basal insulin provides a steady level of insulin throughout the day and night, helping control blood glucose between meals and while sleeping. Unlike rapid-acting insulin, basal insulin is designed to work continuously over an extended period.
Awiqli is the first once-weekly basal insulin approved for clinical use, representing a major advancement in diabetes management.
How Is It Different From Traditional Insulin?
The biggest advantage is convenience.
A person using daily basal insulin typically takes:
- 365 injections every year
With Awiqli, this reduces to:
- Just 52 injections annually
This dramatic reduction may help improve treatment adherence, especially among patients who delay or skip insulin due to the inconvenience or fear of daily injections.
Who Can Use Awiqli?
In India, Awiqli has been launched for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who require basal insulin therapy. Treatment should always be started and adjusted under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
How Does It Work?
Awiqli contains insulin icodec, an ultra-long-acting insulin designed to release gradually over an entire week.
It helps:
- Maintain stable blood sugar levels
- Reduce blood glucose fluctuations
- Provide continuous insulin coverage for seven days
- Simplify long-term diabetes management
Clinical studies have shown that once-weekly insulin can achieve blood sugar control comparable to, and in some settings better than, daily basal insulin in adults with diabetes.
How Is It Administered?
Awiqli is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once every week.
Recommended injection sites include:
- Abdomen
- Thigh
- Upper arm
Patients should rotate injection sites to reduce the risk of skin-related complications.
Why Is This Important for India?
India is often referred to as the diabetes capital of the world because of its large and growing patient population.
Experts estimate:
- More than 101 million people have diabetes.
- Around 6 million Indians currently use insulin, and this number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
- Many patients postpone starting insulin therapy for years because of fear of injections, cost concerns, or treatment complexity.
A once-weekly insulin could help reduce some of these barriers.
Benefits of Once-a-Week Insulin
Potential advantages include:
- Fewer injections throughout the year
- Greater convenience
- Better treatment adherence
- Reduced injection burden
- Consistent basal insulin coverage
- Simplified diabetes management
Healthcare professionals hope these benefits may encourage more eligible patients to remain consistent with insulin therapy.
Possible Side Effects
Like other insulin products, Awiqli may cause side effects.
Commonly reported side effects include:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
- Injection-site reactions
- Weight gain
- Skin thickening or pitting at injection sites (lipodystrophy)
- Allergic reactions in some patients
Patients should use Awiqli only under medical supervision and follow their doctor’s advice on dosing and monitoring.
Is This a Cure for Diabetes?
No. Awiqli does not cure diabetes.
It is a long-acting insulin that helps manage blood glucose levels more conveniently. Patients must continue following medical advice regarding diet, physical activity, blood sugar monitoring and other prescribed medications.
The Bottom Line
The arrival of Awiqli marks an important milestone in diabetes care. By reducing insulin injections from 365 to just 52 per year, the therapy has the potential to make insulin treatment easier for many adults living with diabetes.
While it is not suitable for everyone and should only be used under a doctor’s supervision, the once-weekly insulin represents a meaningful step toward improving treatment adherence and simplifying long-term diabetes management in a country facing one of the world’s largest diabetes burdens.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping any diabetes medication.
