Trulicity (Dulaglutide)

This is a short and small presentation on the recently added hypoglycemi agent  DULAGLUTIDE from the GLP-1 Receptor antagonist group of drugs

Compiled by  Jagannathan

Trulicity is the trade name of dulaglutide, a type 2 diabetes medication 

                                                                                                                                           Trulicity is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists 

 

Other GLP-1 receptor agonists include:

Exenatide)

Unlike most other GLP-1 receptor agonists, Trulicity is injected only once per week.

What is Trulicity?

Trulicity is a GLP-1 receptor agonist for people with type 2 diabetes.                                                                                                                                      It is not prescribed to people with type 1 diabetes 

Trulicity is prescribed when diet and exercise have failed to bring blood glucose levels under control.                                                                                                                                     It may also be prescribed instead of metformin, if metformin is unsuitable for you. Trulicity comes in dosages of 1.5mg and 0.75mg.

How does Trulicity work?

Like other GLP-1 receptors agonists, Trulicity works by stimulating the body’s natural production of insulin It also inhibits the release of glucagon and slows digestion.

                                                               
Trulicity also aids weight loss.

 

Again, this is similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonists. Trulicity is prescribed primarily to people who need to lower their blood glucose levels; the weight loss is an added benefit.

How do I take Trulicity?

Trulicity is taken in the form of injection                                                                                                 These injections are taken once per week.

Trulicity is usually packaged as pre-filled syringes.

Each syringe is to be used only once, for one injection.                                                                                                                                    Do not re-use a Trulicity syringe over more than one week.                                                        Throw the syringe away after use, even if there is some left over.

Trulicity should be injected on the same day of each week.                                                         If you can, try to inject it at roughly the same time of day, too                                                                 .                                                                              If you realise that you’ve missed an injectio, think how long there is until your next one. If there’s less than three days until your next injectio, leave it. If there’s more than three days, inject as soon as you realise.

You should never inject Trulicity twice within a three-day period.

Dosage

The initial dose is a single SC inj of 0.75 mgm once in a week                                                this can be increaded upto 4.5 mgm per wees maximum untill                                            a favourable response in blood sugar is achieved.

Trulicity can be combined with other hypoglycemic agents namely                                             Insulin                                                                                                                                            Biguanides like Metformin                                                                                                           Secretogogues like Glipizide,Gluburide Glimipride etc                                                                   Gliptins like Sitagliptin                                                                                                           SGLT 2 inhibitors like the Jardiace etc

Side effects of Trulicity

Common side effects of Trulicity include stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea and loss of appetite.                                                                                                                            If you experience rashes, difficulty in breathing, or swelling, you may be allergic to Trulicity. You should seek emergency medical help immediately.

If you feel any severe pain in your upperabd, vomiting, or tachycardia, this could be a sign of pancreatitis Speak to your doctor about this as soon as possible.

 

Other signs of serious aversion to Trulicity include swelling or a lump on your neck, low blood sugar– or signs of a kidney problem, such as painful urination and swelling in your feet or ankles. If you experience any of these, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Rest assured that serious aversions to Trulicity are rare. They are listed here only on the off-chance that they affect you. There’s no need to worry about them unduly.

Is Trulicity safe for pregnant women?

Trulicity is a relatively new drug, so little is known about its effects on pregnancy                   It’s unknown whether an unborn baby can be harmed if the mother takes Trulicity. Animal studies indicate that Trulicity can be harmful to babies, but no such studies have been conducted on humans.                                                                                                    Until the research is conducted, pregnant women are advised not to take Trulicity.

It’s also not known if Trulicity passes into breast milk. Until it is proven to be safe, mothers taking Trulicity are advised not to breast feed