Taking Trulicity

Taking Trulicity (Dulaglutide)

With an inisurance in type-2 diabetes every year, we should be mindful of which new medications continue to be released. One medication, in particular, is catching a lot of attention

What is Trulicity?

Trulicity is a once-a-week injectable prescription medication to help those with type 2 diabetes. Trulicity is a (glucagon-like protein) GLP-1 receptor agitator. Trulicity is becoming increasingly popular due to its effectiveness, the (potentially) positive side effect of weight loss, and doesn’t come with the risk of low blood sugar like insulin.
Trulicity has been known to have these effects.

Stimulates the release of insulin in the pancreas, which lowers blood glucose levels
Decreases glucose production in the liver
It slows down gastric emptying, making you feel full

Trulicity is a GLP-1 receptor agitator, similar to Ozempic, as they both are once-a-week injectable prescriptions. Trulicity tends to be one of the most prescribed type two diabetes medications.

How does Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Work?

Dulaglutide has been proven to improve blood sugar levels in these three positive ways.

It has been shown to help you feel full. It does this by slowing the gastric process in the stomach. This slows down the process by which food is passed to the stomach by the small intestines. The process by which nutrients in absorbed into the bloodstream is also absorbed. This includes glucose.
Another way it improves blood sugar levels is by decreasing the amount of glucose produced in the liver. The liver tends to make glucose when you’re in periods of starvation. The liver is a storage deposit that releases sugar when your blood glucose levels are low and stores sugar when your blood glucose levels are high. This process is flawed in people with type-diabetes because the liver produces too much glucose.
The final way it improves blood sugar levels is by stimulating insulin release in the pancreas.

When to take it

Trulicity is to be taken once a week. It makes no difference when injected morning vs. night. When taking Trulicity, it should be noted that it does not have to be taken with or without food. If you want to change your injection day, you should contact your health provider. You should not inject Trulicity before three days.

You can find more information on taking Trulicity here.

Side effects

Trulicity is an effective type 2 diabetes medication. Although it is effective, it does come with some side effects. Side effects include.

Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Decreased appetites

These side effects have been noted to affect more than 10% of patients. In an 8-12 week timespan, Trulicitys side effects subside. Trulicity is well tolerated for long periods. Patients have said that eating smaller meals significantly helps offset the side effects.
More severe side effects should be noted:

Allergic reaction
Inflammation in the Pancreas
Hypoglycemia

You should call your doctor immediately if you feel like you’re experiencing any severe side effects. Truly is not recommended in people with severe stomach and/or intestinal problems. Trulicity should not be taken in children under the age of 18.

Missing a dose of Trulicity

If you miss your dose of Trulicity, you should take your dose as soon as you remember. You can take your missed dose three days before your next dose. Do not take the dose if you are less than three days away from your miss dose. Get back on your regularly scheduled weekly dose. If you’re looking to switch your injection days, you should inform your doctor to find a safe and effective way to go about doing that.

Missing a dose of Trulicity

Can I take Trulicity if I am Pregnant?

Truliciity is NOT recommended for women who are currently pregnant. There are other forms of medication that are used to treat diabetes in pregnant women. If you have type two diabetes and are looking to get pregnant again, keep your glucose levels as close to the target line as possible. You should see your doctor to see your baseline during pregnancy.

Can I take Trulicity if I am Pregnant?

How to Store Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Pen

The best place to store your Trulicity pen is on the top shelf of your refrigerator. The butter compartment is probably the safest storage place. You should never store your Trulicity pen in the coldest part of your fridge. The coldest part of the fridge could lead to degrading the Dulaglutide. This will cause you to have higher blood glucose levels.

How to Store Trulicity (Dulaglutide) Pen

Do you inject Trulicity Pen Cold?

Yes, Trulicity can be injected cold. It should be noted that it could sting a little if injected cold, but it is still safe and effective. The only unsafe GLP-1 medication that should not be taken coldly is Bydureon because of its need to be mixed thoroughly.

Do you inject Trulicity Pen Cold?

How long is it effective?

For a person who is currently taking Trulicity for months at a time and then suddenly stops, it will take about 5 weeks for the Dulaglutide to exit the system. It can take up to 5 weeks for Trulicity to start lowering your blood glucose levels. To see the true effectiveness of Trulicity, it could take a maximum of 3-6 months.

How long is it effective?

Are there any medications I shouldn’t take with Trulicity?

There are a few things to keep in mind about Trulicity. Trulicity isn’t commonly known to cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The risk of hypoglycemia increases when insulin or insulin-dependent drugs are taken, such as sulfonylureas or glinides.

Trulicity also may affect the effectiveness of any oral medication you take. This is due to the slowing of gastric emptying. This can sometimes be avoided by separating your Trulicty medication with other medications. But, in the case of Trulicity, this will not be effective.

To see what kind of medications are safe and unsafe to take with Trulicity, see your doctor about what medications you’re on to see if Trulicity is right for you.

Are there any medications I shouldn’t take with Trulicity?

There are a few things to keep in mind about Trulicity. Trulicity isn’t commonly known to cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The risk of hypoglycemia increases when insulin or insulin-dependent drugs are taken, such as sulfonylureas or glinides.
Trulicity also may affect the effectiveness of any oral medication you take. This is due to the slowing of gastric emptying. This can sometimes be avoided by separating your Trulicty medication with other medications. But, in the case of Trulicity, this will not be effective.
To see what kind of medications are safe and unsafe to take with Trulicity, see your doctor about what medications you’re on to see if Trulicity is right for you.

Does Trulicity cause Thyroid Cancer?

No GLP-1 prescriptions do not cause Thyroid cancer in humans.

Early studies have shown that in rats treated with Dulaglutide, many developed a very rare type of Thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma. It should be noted that rats have very high levels of GLP-1 receptors in their thyroid.

Does Trulicity cause Thyroid Cancer?

No GLP-1 prescriptions do not cause Thyroid cancer in humans.
Early studies have shown that in rats treated with Dulaglutide, many developed a very rare type of Thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma. It should be noted that rats have very high levels of GLP-1 receptors in their thyroid.

Cost of Trulicity

There are many ways to pay for Trulicity. Trulicity also has saving and payment options because it's a name-brand drug. GoodRx can help you with copay savings cards or patient assistance programs.

Cost of Trulicity

There are many ways to pay for Trulicity. Trulicity also has saving and payment options because it's a name-brand drug. GoodRx can help you with copay savings cards or patient assistance programs.

Trulicity is a once-a-week injectable used to manage blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes and should never be used in someone with type 1 diabetes. It may be injected with or without food and can be injected cold.

Trulicity makes your stomach empty more slowly, making you feel fuller sooner when eating—also making you feel fuller for a longer duration of time. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Talk to your doctor if side effects become more severe or troublesome.

Trulicity is only available as a name-brand medication. There are many ways to save to make your prescriptions more affordable such as savings cards or patient assistance programs.