Trulicity

Trulicity is a pre-filled injection used to treat type-2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient dulaglutide, which is part of a group of medicines known as GLP-1 agonists. These medicines help to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have also shown they may aid in weight loss, but Trulicity is not officially approved for this use.

Unlike some other injection treatments for type-2 diabetes that require daily injections, Trulicity is only needed once a week. This means you don't have to organise your daily routine around it and can enjoy the rest of your week as you wish.

Type-2 diabetes is a condition that typically develops in adulthood. It often occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps you manage sugar, or when your cells become less responsive to insulin. This can result in high sugar levels in your blood, potentially leading to long-term health issues.

Trulicity helps lower high blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetes by imitating a hormone that prompts your pancreas to release insulin. This increased insulin in your blood then assists in moving sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy.

Carrying excess weight or being obese can increase the risk of developing diabetes, and the two often occur together. While it's not completely understood how GLP-1 agonists help with weight loss, they are believed to work by reducing your appetite and slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. This can make you feel less hungry and eat less.

Trulicity comes in four different doses: 0.75mg, 1.5mg, 3mg, and 4.5mg, all in pre-filled pens for injection. The dose you’re given will be based on your specific health requirements. Typically, you'll begin with either a 0.75mg or 1.5mg dose once a week. If your HbA1c (which measures your average blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months) isn’t reaching your target, the dose may be increased to 3mg or 4.5mg.

There are various treatments available for diabetes. Usually, you'll begin with metformin, unless it's not appropriate for you. If metformin alone doesn't effectively manage your blood sugar, you'll likely switch to another treatment, often used in combination with metformin. The most common treatments for diabetes include DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, glitazones, or sulfonylureas.

Each treatment works differently to reduce your blood sugar, and it might take some trial and error to discover which one suits you best.

Trulicity is different from most diabetes medications because it's an injection you only need to take once a week, unlike many other treatments that are daily tablets. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets or find taking daily medication inconvenient, a weekly injection like Trulicity might be a better option for you.

Other GLP-1 agonists are:

Semaglutide is the only one available as an oral tablet, known as Rybelsus. The others come as pre-filled injections.

Ozempic and Bydureon are treatments you take once a week, while Victoza, Byetta, and Lyxumia require daily injections.