How does Trulicity work?
- Trulicity mimics the action of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate blood glucose levels.
- It binds to GLP-1 receptors, stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion from the liver. It also slows stomach emptying.
- Trulicity is given by subcutaneous injection, once a week.
Trulicity (dulaglutide) mimics the action of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate blood glucose levels. It may be used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (such as a heart attack or stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes who already have cardiovascular disease or are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Trulicity contains 90% of the same amino acid sequence as naturally occurring GLP-1. This enables it to bind to and activate GLP-1 receptors, which stimulates insulin secretion and lowers glucagon secretion when blood glucose levels are high. It also causes a slowing down in how fast the stomach empties.
Trulicity is given by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection into your stomach, thighs, or upper arm, once a week and may be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Trulicity does not work for type 1 diabetes.
Trulicity is not a form of insulin. It relies on people still having some functioning beta cells – these are the cells in the pancreas that produce, store, and release insulin.
Trulicity belongs to the class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. It may also be called an incretin mimetic.
References
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) Lilly Feb 2020 https://www.drugs.com/pro/trulicity.html
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) Approved to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Adults With and Without Established Cardiovascular Disease Feb 21 2020 Drugs.com News https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/trulicity-dulaglutide-approved-reduce-cardiovascular-events-adults-without-established-5358.html
Read next
Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
Trulicity and Ozempic are both injectable medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide, and for Ozempic, it is semaglutide. While Trulicity and Ozempic belong to the same drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists and have the same mechanism of action, they differ in their structure, the way they are processed by the body and their clinical effects. Research has shown that Ozempic is more effective than Trulicity in lowering blood sugar levels and decreasing weight, but lower dosages of Ozempic may have a higher risk of side effects compared to lower dosages of Trulicity. Continue reading
Does Trulicity cause weight loss?
Trulicity is not a weight loss drug, but some people may lose weight. People lost, on average, two to six pounds while taking Trulicity. However, 15 to 30% gained weight. Continue reading
Trulicity vs Mounjaro: How do they compare?
Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are injectable medicines approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. They are made by the same company, Eli Lilly and Company, and are currently available as brand-name only. Trulicity is also approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Mounjaro is not currently approved for this indication. Continue reading
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