From the FDA Drug Label
TRULICITY (dulaglutide) injection is a clear, colorless, sterile, preservative-free solution for subcutaneous use. The other name for Dulaglutide is TRULICITY 1.
From the Research
Dulaglutide is commonly known by its brand name Trulicity, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Key Points
- Trulicity is manufactured by Eli Lilly and is available as a once-weekly injectable medication.
- It comes in pre-filled pens with doses of 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, and 4.5 mg, making it convenient for patients to self-administer 2.
- The medication works by mimicking the incretin hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which stimulates insulin secretion when blood glucose levels are high, suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite 3.
- These mechanisms help lower blood sugar levels and may contribute to weight loss in many patients.
- Trulicity is typically started at a lower dose (0.75 mg) and may be increased based on glycemic response.
- Unlike some other GLP-1 agonists that require daily injections, Trulicity's once-weekly dosing schedule often improves medication adherence for patients managing type 2 diabetes 4.
Important Considerations
- Dulaglutide has been associated with a low inherent risk of hypoglycemia and is generally well tolerated, with the most frequently reported adverse events being gastrointestinal-related (e.g., nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) 2.
- There have been reports of dulaglutide-associated acute pancreatitis, highlighting the importance of monitoring pancreatic enzyme levels in patients taking dulaglutide 5.
- The pharmacokinetics of dulaglutide support once-weekly administration in patients with type 2 diabetes, and dose adjustment is not necessary based on body weight, sex, age, race, or ethnicity 6.