Once-Weekly Insulin Is Here: Awiqli® Launches for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

On Thursday, August 11, 2026, Novo Nordisk announced the launch of Awiqli®, the world’s first once-weekly long-acting (basal) insulin for adults living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This FDA-approved insulin will be available at over 70,000 pharmacies in the United States, and eligible people with T2D could pay just $35/month at the pharmacy counter for it through Novo Nordisk’s affordability programs.

Why once-weekly basal insulin matters

This is a big deal because, for as long as insulin has existed, people with insulin-dependent forms of diabetes have had to inject at least once daily. This medication will significantly reduce that need for those who qualify! Essentially, people with T2D who are eligible for Awiqli® will be able to swap seven shots for just one, with the same benefits.

Awiqli® is a pre-filled insulin pen, and you must discuss the appropriate weekly dose with your doctor. Unless otherwise advised, people with T2D shouldn’t use the entire vial in one sitting. Nor should they take it if they are allergic to any of its ingredients. Different medications work differently for different people. It’s important to monitor your results with the medication as/if you begin using it to see if it’s right for your body.

How to use once-weekly insulin safely

No medication is risk-free, and it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. Awiqli® has similar risks to those associated with other basal insulins taken seven times per week for T2D management. 

If you explore Awiqli®, watch for:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, pain, bruising, etc.)
• Weight gain (common when first starting on insulin)

Remember, if you live with T2D and take a blood-sugar-lowering medication like insulin, it’s always important to have fast-acting carbs and glucagon on you in case of a low blood sugar emergency. Awiqli® delivers a slow drip of insulin across seven days that steadily drops and keeps your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.

Novo Nordisk recommends that people living with T2D use this insulin in combination with a personalized nutrition and exercise plan (developed with your doctor) to support overall blood sugar management. Awiqli® is not intended for use in children with T2D or in anyone living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at this time.

Benefits of once-weekly insulin for T2D management

Awiqli® should help make diabetes more manageable and comfortable day-to-day for adults living with T2D. Its launch reflects a larger shift in diabetes care aimed at easing the day-to-day burdens of managing this disease. In the past few years alone, the diabetes community has already begun to see this with the inclusion and use of GLP-1s and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in management routines.

Awiqli® could help people living with T2D stick to their insulin schedule—one shot is usually easier than taking seven shots. It’s one less thing to think about each day, but you still need to remember it once a week, like taking out the trash or recycling.

Developing a new diabetes management routine

Reducing your insulin from seven doses a week to just one can be helpful. However, it might also be harder to remember to take it less often. If you think you might forget, try using some of these strategies listed below. This doesn’t mean the medication isn’t right for you. It just means you might need to plan a bit more.

To remember to take your once-weekly dose, try:

• Involving someone you live with in your diabetes care so they can remind you to take your medications, too.
• Set up a weekly calendar reminder or an Amazon Alexa notification to remind you to inject your insulin.
• Write a reminder in a place you often look so it’s top of mind and isn’t missed.
• Take it alongside other weekly medications or correlate it with another weekly activity that is already a part of your routine

How to get started with once-weekly insulin

If you would like to try Awiqli®, talk to your doctor at your next checkup or start a conversation through your medical portal to get the ball rolling. This medication could be a helpful option for your overall T2D management, helping you focus more on what you want to do while still getting the support you need.

T2D management can be difficult to understand, but not if you’re already living with it. Join a community of folks who understand what it’s like. Be a part of our Community Apps.

This content mentions Novo Nordisk, an active partner of Beyond Type 1 at the time of publication. Beyond Type 1 retains full editorial control.