Trulicity is a once-weekly injection used to handle blood sugar ranges and weight in individuals with kind 2 diabetes.
This text explains the whole lot that you must find out about this remedy, together with its results and unwanted effects.
What’s Trulicity?
Trulicity is a name-brand prescription drug for adults and kids 10 years and older with kind 2 diabetes that’s used to handle blood sugar ranges, A1c (a measure of blood sugar management over the previous two to 3 months), and weight.
It could additionally assist forestall strokes, coronary heart assaults, and untimely dying in individuals with kind 2 diabetes and pre-existing coronary heart illness.
This drug is taken by injection as soon as every week, belongs to the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonist class, and has dulaglutide because the lively ingredient.
It could even be used with insulin and different diabetes drugs.
How does Trulicity work?
Trulicity binds to particular receptors within the pancreas, inflicting the discharge of extra insulin and naturally decreasing blood sugar ranges.
It additionally reduces glucagon manufacturing within the liver (glucagon is the storage type of glucose), prevents postprandial blood sugar spikes, and improves insulin sensitivity.
Moreover, this drug slows down digestion, suppresses urge for food, and promotes weight reduction.
By constantly decreasing blood sugar ranges and A1c, you scale back your threat of coronary heart assault, stroke, and untimely dying.
What are the advantages of taking Trulicity?
Trulicity gives a number of advantages for diabetes administration, together with weight reduction.
In a randomized managed trial (RCT), contributors misplaced a mean of 6.6 kilos over six months.
One other examine discovered that the drug helped decrease blood sugar ranges and A1c and promoted weight reduction in comparison with a placebo (inactive remedy).
Moreover, medical trials discovered that contributors with kind 2 diabetes had a decreased threat of main cardiovascular occasions similar to coronary heart assault, stroke, and dying.
This prescription is handiest when used along with a nutritious diet, common bodily exercise, and different prescribed diabetes drugs.
Why is Trulicity prescribed?
This remedy could also be prescribed if in case you have kind 2 diabetes and have insulin resistance or problem managing your blood sugar ranges.
It may also be prescribed to individuals who do not need kind 2 diabetes however have insulin resistance or need assistance managing blood sugar with different diabetes drugs.
Due to its cardiovascular advantages, this remedy is usually given to individuals who have already got coronary heart illness.
Though it’s not FDA authorized for weight reduction, it’s typically prescribed off-label to assist with weight administration.
See beneath for extra info. Trulicity and Weight Loss: Can Trulicity Assist You Lose Weight?
Trulicity ought to solely be taken if prescribed by a well being care skilled.
What are the unwanted effects?
Trulicity may cause unwanted effects, particularly while you first begin taking it as your physique will get used to it. Widespread unwanted effects are normally delicate to reasonable and will embrace:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- abdomen ache
- Redness on the injection web site
- urge for food suppression
- weight reduction
- Hypoglycemia (particularly when mixed with insulin remedy)
Though uncommon, critical unwanted effects could happen, together with:
- acute pancreatitis,
- extreme allergic response,
- Kidney operate declines,
- Medullary thyroid most cancers (MTC)
Keep away from this drug if in case you have a private or household historical past of MTC or a number of endocrine tumors, or if you’re allergic to dulaglutide.
The FDA has issued a black field warning in regards to the elevated threat of thyroid most cancers with using Trulicity. Inform your physician if in case you have gastroparesis or continual kidney illness (CKD), as drugs can worsen these situations.
See beneath for extra info. Trulicity unwanted effects: what that you must know.
What’s the typical dose?
Medical doctors sometimes begin sufferers on a low dose of 0.75 milligrams (mg) as soon as every week to reduce unwanted effects. This medication will be taken at any time, with or with out meals. Attempt to stick with the identical time every week that will help you bear in mind your consumption.
See beneath for extra details about this medication and weight loss plan. Meals to keep away from when taking Trulicity.
If crucial, the dose will be elevated to 1.5 mg after 4 weeks. For youngsters, the utmost dose is 1.5 mg weekly, however adults can use 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg weekly.
At all times seek the advice of your healthcare skilled earlier than adjusting your dose and improve by 1.5 mg increments solely after you will have been in your present dose for at the very least 4 weeks.
For extra info, see: Trulicity Dosage: How A lot Ought to I Take?
What’s the most weekly dose?
The utmost weekly dose is 1.5 mg for youngsters and 4.5 mg for adults.
Upkeep doses range based mostly on private well being elements similar to medical historical past, well being targets, weight, way of life, and insulin resistance.
At all times comply with the prescribed dosage and seek the advice of your physician earlier than making any modifications.
See beneath for extra info. Trulicity Dosage: How A lot Ought to I Take?
What occurs if you happen to take an excessive amount of Trulicity?
Most weekly dose is 4.5 mg.
Taking two doses inside 72 hours may cause critical unwanted effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and harmful hypoglycemia, which will be life-threatening if untreated.
Signs of very low blood sugar embrace:
- dizziness
- trembling
- confusion
- quick coronary heart charge
- shallow respiration
- nervous
- lethargy
- fatigue
- unconsciousness or diabetic coma
If you happen to suspect an overdose, contact your physician or emergency providers instantly.
Is it okay if I overlook to take it?
If you happen to overlook to take a dose, don’t fret. Lacking a dose for every week won’t trigger elevated insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar ranges, or weight achieve.
Nonetheless, for greatest outcomes, you will need to take the remedy constantly. Set a reminder in your cellphone to make sure you take it on the identical day every week.
You possibly can take it inside 3 days of lacking a dose. If greater than 5 days have handed, skip the missed dose and take your subsequent scheduled dose.
For extra info, see: Trulicity Dosage: How A lot Ought to I Take?
The right way to inject Trulicity?
This remedy is out there in pen type and is injected subcutaneously (beneath the pores and skin).
Select injection websites which have fatty tissue, such because the higher thighs, higher arms, or abdomen. Rotate the injection web site weekly, utilizing completely different areas inside the similar space (similar to completely different elements of the abdomen).
To inject, first wash your arms and clear the injection web site with an alcohol swab.
Pinch the pores and skin 1 inch, insert the needle perpendicularly into the pores and skin, and press the highest of the pen to launch the remedy.
Maintain the needle within the pores and skin for about 10 seconds to make sure the total dose is run.
After the injection, merely discard the complete pen right into a sharps container and wipe off any extra remedy or blood with an alcohol swab.
Who mustn’t take Trulicity?
This remedy ought to solely be taken if prescribed by a medical skilled.
Not advisable for individuals who are pregnant, planning to change into pregnant, or breastfeeding.
This remedy is just not appropriate for individuals who do not need diabetes or who’ve prediabetes or kind 1 diabetes except directed by a health care provider.
Keep away from this drug if you happen to or your loved ones has a historical past of MTC or a number of endocrine neoplasia syndrome kind 2 (MEN 2), or if you’re allergic to dulaglutide.
In case you are allergic to dulaglutide however are concerned with a GLP-1 agonist, think about alternate options similar to Ozempic, which incorporates semaglutide.
For extra info, see: Trulicity vs. Ozempic: Which drug is best for you?
Ask your physician earlier than beginning Trulicity, particularly if in case you have continual kidney illness (CKD) or gastroparesis, as it could worsen these signs.
At all times seek the advice of your physician if in case you have any questions or issues about taking this remedy.
How do I cease taking Trulicity?
By no means cease taking this or any prescription remedy with out speaking to your physician.
Your physician will probably advocate truly fizzling out your remedy steadily to keep away from unwanted effects similar to weight achieve, speedy spikes in blood sugar, elevated A1c, and worsening insulin resistance.
In case you are contemplating stopping, discuss to your physician about applicable subsequent steps.
Can Trulicity substitute insulin?
No, this drug or different GLP-1 agonists will not be a substitute for insulin.
Trulicity reduces the necessity for insulin over time, however is meant to complement insulin remedy if insulin is prescribed.
By no means cease taking insulin except directed and advisable by your physician.
Can I take Trulicity with different diabetes drugs?
Sure, however it relies on the drug. Trulicity will be safely used with insulin or metformin.
Nonetheless, it ought to by no means be utilized in mixture with different GLP-1 agonists similar to Ozempic, Victoza (liraglutide), and Munjaro (tirzepatide) as they’ll trigger critical unwanted effects similar to hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. .
If in case you have issues about attainable interactions between your diabetes drugs and Trulicity, please seek the advice of your healthcare supplier. If there are contraindications, we will additionally recommend alternate options.
Does Trulicity must be refrigerated?
Sure, retailer within the fridge at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to eight°C). It may be used for 56 days after opening. Don’t freeze or expose to excessive warmth.
How a lot does Trulicity price?
Your month-to-month prices, or out-of-pocket prices, range relying in your particular insurance coverage plan. To search out out your out-of-pocket prices, examine together with your insurance coverage firm utilizing your prescription or medical card.
Trulicity is often coated by main medical insurance plans similar to Medicare and Medicaid. If in case you have questions on protection or copays, please contact Lilly Cares at 1-800-LILLYRX (1-800-545-5979).
For eligible people, the LillyCare Basis Affected person Help Program could present drugs without charge. For extra details about this program and to see if you happen to qualify, please name 1-800-545-6962. The Trulicity Financial savings Card can be obtainable to eligible people.
How do I get a prescription for Trulicity?
In case you are concerned with a prescription, please discuss to your well being care supplier.
If in case you have kind 2 diabetes and are coping with weight administration or insulin resistance, chances are you’ll qualify.
For individuals with prediabetes or kind 1 diabetes, this remedy could assist enhance insulin sensitivity.
If you happen to do not need diabetes however need to shed pounds, discuss together with your physician about different FDA-approved weight reduction medication that could be safer and extra appropriate for you with out the unwanted effects related to this drug.
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