Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical implications of insulin icodec, a novel once-weekly basal insulin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), with an emphasis on its advantages and challenges in comparison with existing daily basal insulins.
Data sources: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to August 26, 2024, using the search terms icodec and ONWARDS trial. Studies involving patients living with T1D or T2D on once-weekly insulin icodec compared with once-daily insulins glargine U100, glargine U300, and degludec were considered for this review.
Study selection and data extraction: Relevant English-language studies and those conducted in humans were considered.
Data synthesis: Insulin icodec offers reduced dosing frequency and potentially superior glycemic management with a safety profile comparable to existing basal insulins.
Relevance to patient care and clinical practice: Insulin icodec once-weekly dosing could significantly improve convenience and efficacy over daily basal insulins, representing a significant innovation in insulin therapy.
Conclusions: Insulin icodec emerges as a promising option for diabetes management, potentially improving treatment adherence and quality of life.
Keywords: diabetes mellitus; glycemic control; insulin; insulin icodec; long-acting; type 1; type 2.