BOSTON -- A new drug that could change the way millions of people with diabetes manage their disease may hit the market as early as this week.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported Monday that Pfizer's Exubera was approved by the FDA in January. It is the first insulin that you can inhale. But already, doctors are getting questions about who should try it and who should not.

For the last five years, Darcel Boone has kept her injectable insulin with her at all times. She knows it's critical to managing her type 2 diabetes.

"I have never been a candidate of needles," Boone said. "I do it because I have to do it. I know it's my lifeline."

Exubera is the first inhaled form of insulin, and it's expected to become available any day. Patients would use it just before meals.

"Anyone who could use a new product to improve their glucose control, because after all, that's what reduces the risk of complications of diabetes, should consider using inhaled insulin," said Dr. Martin Abrahamson.

Abrahamson is the medical director of the Joslin Diabetes Clinic. He also has received research funding from Pfizer in the past. He said Exubera is a short-acting insulin, and while it could be used in combination with injections for those with type 1 diabetes, it's those with type 2 who will benefit most.

"This could mean for many patients, an ability to take insulin more frequently, which is what we often recommend for patients, or to move to insulin therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes who are not controlled on medications," Abrahamson said.

To consider Exubera, you must be at least 18 with no uncontrolled lung disease, including asthma. You also cannot be a smoker.

Boone said that carrying an inhaler would be simpler than temperature-sensitive injectable insulin.

"I go out a lot. I work everyday," Boone said. "I'd just feel better picking up an inhaler and putting it in my pocketbook rather than taking a little refrigerator."

But Dr. Jacques Carter said he won't prescribe it for those who are doing well with insulin shots.

"This would be a product I would give to a patient who has poor control who refuses to take insulin injections," Carter said. "But there's a lot of people I would not even think of giving this to until there's more information on it."

Exubera will be more expensive than the shots, so another major question is: Will it be covered by insurance?

So far, Harvard Pilgrim said they'll cover it on their top tier, meaning an expensive co-pay. Blue Cross and Tufts are still reviewing the drug.