Trulicity (Dulaglutide) 0.75mg/0.5ml Pre-filled Pen

Trulicity (Dulaglutide) 0.75mg/0.5ml pre-filled pen is a once-weekly prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes. It supports blood sugar management as part of a healthy lifestyle and ongoing medical care.

What is Trulicity (Dulaglutide)?

Administered subcutaneously, Trulicity Pen is an endocrine regulator:

• It manages type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. This injectable therapy is used once a week.
• When supported with regular exercise and a balanced diet, it gives better results.
• It may lower the risk of cardiovascular failure, strokes, and heart attacks in diabetic individuals who are prone to heart disorders.
• Remember, this product is not meant for individuals with diabetic ketoacidosis or type 1 diabetes.

Benefits of Trulicity Solution for Injection

Here are the benefits for which people choose Trulicity Pen:

• Administering the medicine is easy and can be done by the user without doctor’s help after understanding how to use the pen. The auto-injector has a push-button to click to deliver the medicine under the skin.
• It has weight loss effects with sustainable weight management in the long-term.
• It prevents the risk of serious cardiac events in people who are susceptive to cardiac health risks.
• It lowers blood glucose levels and keeps HbA1c levels in check.

How Does Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Pen Work?

The Trulicity Pen has the active ingredient, Dulaglutide. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It binds two alike molecules of a GLP-1 analogue with human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) – altered version. Here is the action mechanism of Trulicity Pen:

• The medicine replicates the action of intestine-secreted natural human incretin hormone GLP-1, as a trigger after food consumption.
• Dulaglutide binds to pancreatic GLP-1 receptors when there is a rise in blood sugar levels. This activates the pancreatic beta cells to release sustained insulin to process blood glucose.
• It suppresses unnecessary glucagon secretion by working on pancreatic alpha cells. Thus, it does not let the liver release extra stored glucose in the bloodstream according to the insulin levels.
• The injected medicine also slows the emptying of food from the stomach, enhancing the feeling of fullness by activating enzymes that are related to appetite control. So, you do not give into unhealthy or excessive eating at random hours.

Dosage of Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Injection

The injection is available in 4 dosage strengths such as 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, and 4.5 mg per 0.5 mL. It is given subcutaneously (under the skin at rotating sites every week – upper arm, thigh, and abdomen), without meal restriction. Use any time of the day. Here is how the weekly routine of the medication goes:

• Start with 0.75mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. The medicine starts working in the initial few hours of the first injection.
• However, plasma level concentration stabilizes in 2 to 4 weeks.
• After 4 weeks, increase the dose to 1.5mg once a week to control the blood glucose levels and lose weight.
• If there is further need to manage weight and blood sugar levels, the dose could be increased to 3.0mg but not more than 4.5mg once a week.

How to Store the Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Pre-filled Pen ?

Here are storage guidelines for Trulicity Pen:

• You must store the unused pens in their original packaging inside a refrigerator. Maintain the temperature at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
• Avoid freezing the pens. In case any pen freezes, do not thaw and do not use.
• In scenarios where refrigerating is not possible, you may store the pens at room temperature of up to 30°C (86°F), not exceeding 14 days.
• If the pens cannot be stored in the refrigerator at controlled temperature after 14 days, discard them in their original container even if medicine is present.

Side Effects of Trulicity (Dulaglutide)

Here are the possible outcomes in some cases:

• The common side effects are general weakness, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion, decreased appetite, and injection site reactions such as itching or redness. These are mild and temporary.
• Seek medical attention in case of severe but rare side effects. These include acute pancreatitis (signs are abdominal pain originating at the back with vomiting), sudden drop in blood sugar levels (signs are confusion, dizziness, or sweating), and risk to thyroid C-cell tumors (indications are hoarseness or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing).

Interactions of Trulicity (Dulaglutide)

Here are the things to avoid when using the Trulicity Injection for weight loss:

• Do not take oral medicine that requires absorption because Dulaglutide slows down emptying of the stomach, delaying the effectiveness of antibiotics, oral birth control pills, etc.
• Do not combine this injectable medicine with sulfonylureas and insulin, or the blood sugar levels may suddenly drop.
• Do not consume alcohol when under treatment to prevent worsening of side effects and masking of low blood sugar symptoms.

Precautions of Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Injection

Get to understand the precautions to follow for Dulaglutide, Trulicity Pen:

• Contraindications are people with a family or personal history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC).
• Do not use it if you have a known allergy to the ingredients of this injectable therapy.
• Keep a check on your health. Notice if there are signs of complications such as pancreatitis, dehydration, or sudden blood sugar level fall.
• Caution is advised for people with kidney disorders. Drink sufficient water when on this medicine.
• Do not use it if pregnant, planning for a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.