ADVANCES AND PERSPECTIVES IN INSULIN THERAPY WITH ICODEC: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Icodeca (Awiqli) is a long-acting insulin designed for weekly subcutaneous administration and developed for the treatment of type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus. Its formulation aims to improve treatment adherence and offer greater glycemic stability. Recently approved by regulatory agencies such as ANVISA and the European Medicines Agency, it represents a significant advance in insulin therapy. The objective of this study was to gather information and discuss the applicability of Icodeca, presenting a current overview of this emerging drug in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The PubMed and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases were used with the descriptors "insulin icodec", "treatment", and "diabetes", in addition to the Boolean operator "and". As inclusion criteria, randomized clinical trials and multicenter studies published between 2020 and 2025 were considered. The analyzed studies compared the efficacy of Icodeca with daily basal insulins, such as Degludec and Glargine. The results demonstrated improved glycemic control, with a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The long half-life and predictable pharmacokinetics stand out as important differentiators, ensuring stable plasma levels and reducing glycemic fluctuations. It is concluded that the medication represents a relevant advance in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, although long-term studies are needed to consolidate its cardiovascular safety and microvascular outcomes.