From the Guidelines
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, with the primary goal of improving glycemic control and reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The standard starting dose of Trulicity is typically 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly, which may be increased to 1.5 mg weekly if needed for better blood sugar control, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1. Some key points to consider when prescribing Trulicity include:
- It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the action of the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1
- It helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production when blood sugar is high, slowing food movement through the stomach, and reducing the amount of glucose released by the liver
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, which often improve over time
- Trulicity has also shown cardiovascular benefits in some patients with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors, as demonstrated in several large randomized controlled trials, including the REWIND trial, which found that dulaglutide reduced the risk of MACE in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors 1. It is essential to use Trulicity alongside diet and exercise for optimal diabetes management and to monitor patients for potential side effects, such as hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and thyroid cancer, as recommended by the FDA and other regulatory agencies 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
TRULICITY® is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated (1): As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Trulicity is for:
- Improving glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors 2.
From the Research
What is Trulicity For
- Trulicity, also known as dulaglutide, is a once-weekly subcutaneously administered glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- It is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise for the treatment of T2D, and can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihyperglycaemic agents, including oral antihyperglycaemic drugs and insulin 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Trulicity has been shown to be effective in improving glycemic control, reducing body weight, and lowering the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with T2D 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Mechanism of Action
- Trulicity works by stimulating insulin secretion, blunting glucagon secretion, increasing satiety, and decreasing the rate of release of gastric contents into the small intestine, thereby reducing glycemic load 6.
- It has a low inherent risk of hypoglycemia and a similar adverse effect profile to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, with transient gastrointestinal problems and potential risk for pancreatitis 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Clinical Trials
- Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Trulicity in patients with T2D, including those with high-risk factors such as obesity, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Trulicity has been shown to be non-inferior to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide, and more effective than oral antihyperglycaemic agents, such as metformin and sitagliptin 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.