Posted on 04/23/2025 3:02:32 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Injectables are already an $800 billion a year market.
One popular injectable costs $70,000 a year.
Today, a growing number of new medications are being delivered via injection rather than as oral pills. It’s a trend driven by advancements in biotechnology, the idea that it’s easier for patients, and pharmaceutical industry profits.
But what are the trade-offs when it comes to cost and safety, and what does it mean for patients and the industry?
Why Injections Over Pills?
The rise of injectable drugs is largely tied to the development of “biologics.”
Biologics are complex medicines derived from living cells, such as monoclonal antibodies and proteins. Unlike “small-molecule drugs,” which can often be formulated as pills, biologics are typically too large or fragile to survive the digestive system. That means they have to be delivered through injections or infusions for direct absorption into the bloodstream.
Advocates say injections offer pharmacokinetic advantages, meaning the way the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. All of that influences its effectiveness and how long it lasts.
Long-acting injectables, such as ones given weekly or even twice a year, are said to ensure consistent drug levels in the body, improving their effectiveness. They also make it easier for patients compared to having to remember daily pills. Experts say people with conditions like cancer, and diabetes and other autoimmune diseases, can benefit from the injectable approach.
Consistency of drug levels is possible with long-acting injectables because they are designed to release the drug slowly into the bloodstream over time, often through formulations like microspheres or depot injections. Microspheres are tiny, biodegradable polymer spheres that encapsulate a drug and release it slowly into the body over time. Depot injections are formulations injected into muscle or...
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I was giving myself a lantus injection every evening for blood sugar and eventually scale back until the doctor said I don’t have to take it anymore because my A1C is good. What I would like would be an injectable pain reliever for my occasional migraines. They have them but I have to get it approved through insurance. There are also nasal sprays to administer a quick acting pain relief.
Yeah, no.
I’ll never trust another “ injection “ again.
For my tension headaches and occipital neuralgia I’d like a quart of novocaine.
For real. I got an occipital nerve block a few weeks back and it was promptly followed up with a migraine but it wasn’t quite as bad I’m going back for another nerve block in a couple months to see if that makes a difference
I have noticed recently that some of my pills [OTC and prescription] are significantly smaller.
Some are a quarter of a inch or smaller.
Please let me know how it works.
Last year I had ON for two months straight.
It was beyond agony.
And I’m supposed to be doing heavy work so maybe they’ll finish fixing the house fire.
I cannot afford to hire help so have to do it myself.
It’s killing me, no hyperbole.
😢
Injections make it easier to slip other stuff in?
I refuse the flu shot for that reason. Cannot trust what the feds will try to add in without you knowing.
Yes, I have a profound distrust of them.
You are obviously a very intelligent person. Maybe even as smart as me.
End joke for the humor impaired.
X 10.
.
Walgreens pharmacy called and wanted to know why I hadn’t come in for a flu, shingles or RSV shot yet. That really pushed my button and I told the pharmacist to never ever call me again pushing their injections.
Once in a while my doc has to pointlessly ask me if I want flu/whatever shots because it’s sort of mandatory.
Then we have a good laugh.
/how bout no? Is no good for you?
😜
Are the injectables made here, or in China?
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