Trulicity

What is Trulicity?

Trulicity is a pre-filled injection treatment for type-2 diabetes. Its active ingredient, dulaglutide, belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 agonists, which work to lower your blood sugar and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Research has also indicated that they can help with weight loss, although Trulicity isn’t licensed for this purpose.

While some other injection treatments for type-2 diabetes need to be injected daily, Trulicity is a once a week treatment. So rather than having to plan around taking it daily, you’re free to spend the rest of the week however you want to.

How does Trulicity work?

Type-2 diabetes is a condition that’s usually developed in adulthood, often because your pancreas doesn’t produce as much insulin (a hormone that helps you process sugar) as it should, or because your cells have become less sensitive to insulin. This can lead to concentrations of sugar in your bloodstream that are too high, which can cause you long-term health problems.

Trulicity works to reduce the high blood sugar levels caused by type-2 diabetes by mimicking the action of a hormone that encourages your pancreas to secrete insulin. The higher levels of insulin in your blood then help to move the sugar from your bloodstream into your cells for it to be used as energy.

Being overweight or obese can be risk factors for diabetes, and obesity and diabetes often go hand in hand. It isn’t fully known how GLP-1 agonists support weight loss, but it’s thought that they reduce your appetite and delay the emptying of your stomach which can make you feel less hungry and eat less.

What doses of Trulicity are there?

Trulicity is available in four doses: 0.75mg, 1.5mg, 3mg and 4.5mg solutions for injection in pre-filled pens. The dose that you’re prescribed will depend on your individual health needs. You’ll probably start on a dose of either 0.75mg or 1.5mg once a week to start off with, which can be increased to 3mg or 4.5mg if your HbA1c (the test of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months) doesn’t seem to be dropping down to your target level.

How to use Trulicity

You should always use Trulicity exactly as instructed by our clinician. Each pen contains one weekly dose of Trulicity, which can only be used once. You can use Trulicity at any time of day, with or without meals, but you should use it on the same day each week if you can. You should inject Trulicity subcutaneously (under the skin) of your upper leg or abdomen. If someone else is injecting you, they can do it on your upper arm. You can inject the same area of your body each week, but you should choose a different injection site within that area from the previous week. Trulicity should be stored in the fridge. To use Trulicity:

• remove it from the fridge, leaving the base cap on
• check the label to make sure that it’s correct and in-date
• inspect the pen. Don’t use it if the solution is cloudy or discoloured, or your pen is cracked or damaged
• wash your hands
• choose your injection site. Make sure that it’s not the same as the previous week
• make sure that the pen is locked, and pull off the grey base cap
• check that the base cap has been removed properly (there should be a picture in the instructions that come with your medicine). If it has, you can discard it. If the grey cap doesn’t look like it should, don’t use the pen
• place the clear base flat and firmly against the skin of your chosen injection site. Unlock it by turning the lock ring
• press and hold the green injection button. You should hear a loud click
• continue holding the pen in place, firmly against your skin, until you hear a second click
• remove the pen from your skin
• discard your pen in a sharps container or as otherwise directed to by your clinician.

How long does Trulicity stay in your system?

Trulicity has a half-life (the time it takes for half of the drug to leave your system) of around five days. Typically, it takes around five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your system, meaning that traces of Trulicity might be found in traces for around 25 days after you take it. This doesn’t mean that it’s active in your system for this amount of time, though. You’ll still need to take it weekly for it to continue to have an effect on your body.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Trulicity?

If you accidentally use more Trulicity than you should’ve done, seek medical help straight away. Taking too much of it can cause hypoglycaemia, where your blood sugar levels are too low. It can also make you feel or be sick. If you forget to use your dose of Trulicity, you can do so when you remember, so long as it’s not less than three days until your next scheduled dose. If there are less than three days to your next dose, skip the forgotten one and continue with your regular schedule. Don’t double the dose to make up for the missed one.