image by: Lisa Martinez McClure

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Harvard Health Ad Watch: A feel-good message about a diabetes drug

This 60-second advertisement for Trulicity, a medication for diabetes, is one of the most feel-good medication commercials I’ve ever seen. The narrator never uses the scare tactic of so many other ads, listing the terrible things that could happen if you don’t take the treatment. Instead, from start to finish, music, images, and spoken words deliver empowering, encouraging messages focused on helping your body to do what it’s supposed to be doing despite having diabetes. There’s a lot of good information here, but as in most direct-to-consumer health marketing there’s also some that’s missing.

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Previously Featured

Trulicity for weight loss. Does it work?

Trulicity is not approved for weight loss, but Type 2 diabetes patients using it to lower blood sugar may experience some weight loss.

Administering Trulicity Injections At Home Conquering The Fear Of Self-Injection

Giving yourself Trulicity injections at home might seem scary at first, but it can become a simple routine. Here are some helpful tips to make the process easier and less stressful.

Dulaglutide (Trulicity): The Third Once-Weekly GLP-1 Agonist

The primary mechanism of action of dulaglutide, as an incretin mimetic hormone or an analogue of human glucagon-like peptide, is to increase insulin secretion when glucose levels are elevated, decrease glucagon secretion, and delay gastric emptying in an effort to lower postprandial glucose level. Dulaglutide also activates the membrane-bound cell-surface receptor in pancreatic beta cells known as the GLP-1 receptor.

My Experience Using Trulicity

About a year and a half ago, at about 225 pounds (40 more than I need) and with my numbers jumping up and down between 90 and 300 daily, my physician Dr. Steve Edelman of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) fame suggested I add Trulicity to my list of medications. Despite my trepidation of giving myself a shot, I of course followed his advice. He prescribed an injection of 1.5 mg/0.5 ml once weekly. The results were pretty astounding. Within the month, without altering my lifestyle, I dropped almost 15 pounds, and my BSL began to drop, and more importantly, level off.

New Data Show Lilly's Once-Weekly Trulicity® (dulaglutide) In Combination With Insulin Glargine Improves Glycemic Control In People With Type 2 Diabetes

Trulicity is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes. It has not been studied in people who have had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Trulicity should not be used by people with a history of severe gastrointestinal (GI) disease, people with type 1 diabetes, or people with diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not a substitute for insulin. It has not been studied with long-acting insulin or in children under 18 years of age.

Trulicity (Dulaglutide): A New GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Once-Weekly Subcutaneous Injection Approved for the Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

In 6 clinical studies that included a total of 3342 patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with dulaglutide resulted in greater reductions from baseline in HbA1c levels compared with placebo, with no overall differences in glycemic reductions across age, sex, race/ethnicity, or duration of disease.

Trulicity and Weight Loss: What You Should Know

Trulicity works by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, it slows down the digestion process, making you feel fuller for longer periods. This can lead to a reduction in appetite and subsequent weight loss. It's important to note that Trulicity is not a substitute for insulin and should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes. It is specifically designed for individuals with type 2 diabetes to complement their existing treatment plan.

Trulicity Explained: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects

Trulicity is a brand name of a type of anti-diabetic drug called dulaglutide. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 for people with type 2 diabetes. It is an injection drug that comes in disposable, prefilled syringes in doses of 0.75, 1.5, 3, and 4.5 milligrams. One injection pen contains one dose. It is injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once a week at any time of the day, with or without food.

Trulicity Patient Tips

Trulicity mimics the effects of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and lowers glucagon secretion from the liver. It lowers blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes and may reduce body weight; however, it does not appear to be as effective as Ozempic. It is given by subcutaneous injection under the skin once weekly.

Trulicity Side Effects and Safety Tips for Patients

Trulicity offers effective blood sugar control for individuals with type 2 diabetes, but users should be aware of both common and serious side effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea are most frequent in the early stages of treatment and often decrease over time. However, there are also more severe risks, such as hypoglycemia, thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, and gallbladder issues, which require immediate medical attention.

Trulicity vs Victoza – Similarities, Differences, Which is Most Effective

Trulicity comes in a single-dose pen so that you do not have to handle needles. The patient does not need to mix any medications to make it work. They simply push the button on the pen to deliver the dose once a week. Patients should strive to inject Trulicity on the same day every week. Trulicity comes in doses of 0.75 mg or 1.5 mg. On the other hand, Victoza has to be injected every day. The pen used for Victoza contains 18 mg of medicine and provides doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg. Needles for the pen will need to be purchased separately.

Trulicity vs. Ozempic: Which Provides Better, Faster Weight Loss Results?

According to the GLP-1 experts we spoke to, Ozempic tends to produce better results than Trulicity. However, some people have less side effects with Trulicity than Ozempic.

What is Trulicity (Dulaglutide) and how does it work?

Trulicity is the brand name for a molecule used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The generic name is Dulaglutide. It is a relatively new product and is a type of injectable therapy, but it is not insulin. It comes in the form of a disposable single use pen in either 0.75mg dose and 1.5mg dose, making it relatively safe and easy to administer.

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Trulicity

You have the power to lower your A1C and Trulicity can help.