Many people’s current focus is on losing weight. Every year, around half of all Americans attempt to reduce weight. In addition to having an obsession, it is important to maintain a healthy weight since obesity increases the risk of health problems including type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and stroke. But the fixation with reducing weight has evolved, and now people choose a variety of weight-loss strategies. Trulicity, or Dulaglutide, is an injectable medicine that has FDA approval. When combined with a healthy diet and exercise, it aids in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The Trulicity for the weight reduction ratio is influenced by the user’s medicine dose. For those with type 2 diabetes, Trulicity weight loss has been authorized to reduce the risk of heart disease. Some people can reduce their weight using Trulicity.
In order to treat type 2 diabetes, a prescription medication called Trulicity is needed. Trulicity functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist by increasing the body’s normal synthesis of insulin, preventing the release of glucagon, and delaying digestion. Trulicity has been demonstrated in clinical studies to assist type 2 diabetics in shedding pounds and enhancing glycemic management.
The percentage of overweight or obese adults in the US is thought to be over 70%. Being overweight and obesity are major medical diseases that raise the chance of developing a number of the main killers, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes as well as several cancers. Adults who are obese or overweight have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease when they lose 5% to 10% of their body weight through diet and exercise.
Trulicity weight loss (dulaglutide): what it actually is?
When combined with diet and exercise, the FDA-approved brand-name drug Trulicity helps individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus better regulate their blood sugar levels. In individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have existing cardiovascular disease or several cardiovascular risk factors, it is demonstrated to lower A1C and is also utilized to lessen the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events. Trulicity is known to produce weight loss as a side effect even though weight loss is not one of its intended uses.
Trulicity belongs to a group of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. The drug Trulicity, which is produced by Eli Lilly, contains the active component dulaglutide. These medications function by raising the amount of insulin released and decreasing the amount of glucagon, a hormone that rises blood sugar levels after meals. Trulicity weight loss can therefore aid in lowering blood sugar levels after meals.
The following dosages of Trulicity come in prefilled pens:
Pens that are:
- 0.75 mg
- 1.5 mg
- 3.0 mg,
- 4.5 mg
The recommended starting dose of Trulicity is 0.75 mg administered subcutaneously (under the skin, in the belly, thigh, or upper arm) once per week. For enhanced glycemic control, the dose may be raised to 1.5 mg once per week. After at least 4 weeks on the 1.5mg dosage, the dose is raised to 3mg once weekly if further glycaemic control is required.
If extra glycaemic control is required after 4 weeks on the 3mg dose of Trulicity, the dosage is raised to 4.5mg once weekly. This prescription can be used whenever during the day, once per week, and with or without meals.
Adults with type 2 diabetes can take the prescription drug Trulicity to:
- Reduce the amount of blood sugar
To lower blood sugar levels, Trulicity is often taken in conjunction with a diet and exercise program.
- Reduce your chance of developing serious heart problems
Such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular-related mortality. For those who also have type 2 diabetes and have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, this usage is appropriate.
Trulicity comes in prefilled, single-dose pens as a liquid solution. It belongs to a group of medicines known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and contains the medication dulaglutide as its active ingredient. (A class of pharmaceuticals refers to a set of drugs that function similarly.)
A once-weekly injection of dulaglutide (Trulicity ), a synthetic form of the human hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), is given to patients with type 2 diabetes.
We all produce GLP-1, regardless of whether or not we have diabetes. GLP-1 has proven to be a crucial hormone for assisting in blood sugar regulation.
What led to the recommendation of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss? The truth is that not every one of them is. You must comprehend the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process for an indication in order to comprehend why that is. More than one GLP-1 receptor agonist has been associated with weight reduction, although not all manufacturers have submitted their GLP-1 receptor agonist for approval as a supplementary indicator of weight loss. The maker of Ozempic (semaglutide), a GLP-1 that was authorized in 2017 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, is Novo Nordisk.
The manufacturer recorded weight reduction of 15%–18% throughout its trial, which was higher than that of several other weight-loss medications. To test it at greater dosages in people without Type 2 diabetes, Novo Nordisk started doing so. Novo Nordisk introduced semaglutide in 2021 under the brand name Wegovy, which was authorized for people with a specified body mass index (BMI) to lose weight.
The FDA has not granted permission for every GLP-1 receptor agonist to claim weight reduction as an indication. Despite this, many medical practitioners will recommend them for weight loss, which is considered to be an “off-label” usage. Off-label usage is when a medicine is used for a function that the FDA has not authorized. Trulicity has received formal approval for the management of Type 2 diabetes when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise, as well as for lowering cardiovascular mortality.
What is the mechanism of action for GLP-1, and how does it function?
The small intestine releases GLP-1 after we eat.
GLP-1 works in the body in a variety of ways to lower blood sugar, including the following:
- Lowers blood sugar levels by encouraging the pancreas to produce more insulin.
This procedure depends on the level of blood sugar and boosts the release of insulin. As a result, GLP-1 drugs do not frequently result in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels, even if it does happen if the blood glucose level is low.
- Minimizes the quantity of glucose your liver produces.
When you are starving, your liver often manufactures glucose. In other words, the liver is a storage organ that can release sugar when your blood glucose levels are low and then store it when your blood glucose levels are high. This mechanism is entirely hampered in Type 2 diabetics, and an excessive amount of glucose is produced by the liver.
- Early satiety is increased by GLP-1 since it might make you feel full.
Decreasing gastric emptying reduces the speed at which food passes from the stomach into the small intestines. By doing this, the rate at which nutrients, such as glucose, are absorbed into the circulation is reduced, which can cause you to eat less.
How does GLP-1 vary from Trulicity (Dulaglutide)?
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that exists in everyone. 90% of the structure of Trulicity (Dulaglutide) is identical to that of human GLP-1, despite being produced synthetically. An enzyme in the blood called dipeptidyl peptidase-4, often known as DPP-4, can’t break down dulaglutide because of structural modifications.
Trulicity, a once-weekly GLP-1, is an example and has a longer duration of effect due to the formulation. Ozempic is an additional instance of long-acting GLP-1 (generic name Semaglutide).
DPP-4 inhibitors are prescription medications that stop DPP-4 from working and have been used for quite a long time to treat type 2 diabetes.
DPP-4 inhibitors increase the quantity of GLP-1 in the body by hindering and discouraging the enzyme that breaks down the GLP-1 occurring naturally. Drugs that block the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. DPP-4 inhibitor examples include:
- sitagliptin
- vildagliptin
- saxagliptin
- linagliptin
- alogliptin
How exactly is the medication supposed to be taken?
Dulaglutide should be administered to adults once a week as a 0.75 mg subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. It may be injected at any time of day, regardless of when you eat. Your doctor may raise the dosage if necessary, up to a maximum of 1.5 mg once per week. If your doctor has not instructed you to adjust your dose, do not. You will be shown how to inject this medicine by your doctor or a diabetes educator.
Each drug should be administered separately if you also take insulin. Dulaglutide should have no color and be transparent. If you see anything strange in the solution’s appearance, such as cloudiness, discoloration, or clumping, do not take this drug.
The amount of medicine needed by a specific person relies on several factors, for example, his body weight, medical history, and other prescriptions of medications. It is a reminder that the dosages recommended here are for general purposes and are not supposed to be adhered to if your doctor has already set a dose prescribed to you.
It’s crucial to take this medicine exactly as your doctor has advised. Inject the missed dosage as soon as you remember, then go on with your normal schedule. Skip the missed dosage and go on with your usual dosing plan if it will be fewer than three days before your subsequent dose. It is all right if you miss a dose, therefore, please do not take the medicine twice to cover up. For guidance on what to do if you miss a dosage, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid freezing this medicine by keeping it in the refrigerator. Defend it against intense light and heat. Away from children’s reach, both this and all medications. You may keep these single-use prefilled pens and syringes at room temperature for up to 14 days.
Prescription drugs shouldn’t be thrown away in home garbage or wastewater (such as down the sink or toilet). How to get rid of prescription drugs that are no longer needed or are outdated should be discussed with your pharmacist.
Can Trulicity be used for weight loss?
People who use Trulicity are likely to lose some weight. You might not necessarily lose weight while using Trulicity, though.
The research was conducted on individuals with type 2 diabetes taking the medication dulaglutide, also known as Trulicity (4). The individuals taking 4.5 mg of dulaglutide lost an average of 4.6 kilos after 36 weeks (a little over ten pounds). Patients who took 1.5 milligrams each week dropped 3 kilos on average (6.6 pounds).
Trulicity: how does it work?
Like other GLP-1 medications, Trulicity mimics the incretin hormones your body naturally generates. The brain, endocrine, and digestive systems get a signal from incretin hormones that food has been ingested. As a result, a complicated chain reaction of hormones and neurotransmitters is set off, slowing the rate at which food exits your stomach and successfully communicating emotions of satiety (feeling full) (making you feel fuller for longer).
GLP-1 drugs can also lower blood sugar levels in those with diabetes or poor glucose tolerance. According to the company’s website, Trulicity “may reduce how much sugar goes into your blood from your liver” and “helps your pancreas produce insulin in reaction to high amounts of sugar in your blood after you eat.”
You may relax knowing that there is a very minimal risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are concerned about using GLP-1 drugs. Only when GLP-1s are used with other diabetic treatments like insulin can hypoglycemia be a worry.
According to the findings of a 2015 research examining Trulicity, “The long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists enhance glycemic management and aid in weight loss. Additionally, due to their minimal risk of hypoglycemia and glucose-dependent mode of action, GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective.
What causes weight loss when using Trulicity?
- Side effects of the stomach being empty
Trulicity, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, helps increase levels of GLP-1, a hormone that promotes fullness and suppresses hunger. Overweight or obese individuals may have changed GLP-1 levels, which can result in an increase in hunger and weight gain. Trulicity reduces weight by delaying stomach emptying in addition to raising GLP-1 levels. You will feel less hungry as food passes through your stomach and into your intestines for a longer period of time. Trulicity side effects include nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite, which might lead you to eat less than you usually do, and may also induce weight loss.
- Glucose sensitivity
Trulicity may help people lose weight by treating their insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is mostly caused by insulin resistance. When you have insulin resistance, your body has trouble using insulin, which raises your blood sugar levels. Your body tries to produce more insulin to assist reduce blood sugar levels when they rise as a result of insulin resistance. A hormone that stores fat, insulin can contribute to weight gain if it is generated in excess. If taking Trulicity lowers your blood sugar levels, your body may become more responsive to insulin, which may lead to weight reduction.
With Trulicity, how much weight loss is possible?
Studies show that those taking the highest dosages of Trulicity might see a weight loss of up to 10 pounds. Your starting body weight and other factors will determine how much weight you could lose using Trulicity. Trulicity by itself may not result in as large a weight loss as healthy lifestyle modifications combined with Trulicity usage. Your blood sugar levels can be dramatically improved by losing 5–10% of your body weight. Losing weight steadily over time can reduce insulin resistance and minimize your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Trulicity: reviews
- I had been taking Victoza, but the nausea prevented me from continuing. Moreover, I was taking Lantus. Since I started taking Trulicity two weeks ago, I have had no nausea, greater energy, and normal blood sugar levels. I’ve stopped taking lentos, too.
- From week one, I worked to lower my blood sugar. The first few days I did not feel well at all, but I persevered because my doctor and insurance company wanted me to try it longer. However, my blood pressure skyrocketed, an EKG revealed an inferior wall MI, and I had to have a catheterization. Luckily, there was no damage, so I shouldn’t use this garbage. However, my insurance company forced them to put me back on Victoza, which is good because otherwise, I would have sued them.
- Once I’ve had a reasonable meal, this medication signals to my brain that I’m no longer hungry. I used it for around eight months, dropped 30 pounds, and my AIC fell inside the allowed range. The drawback is that I had to rely on my prescription plan since I have Medicare and could not use RX discounts. I had to pay a large co-pay because the medication is quite pricey and new. Because my brain keeps telling me I’m hungry all the time, I had to stop taking it, and as a result, my weight is now rising.
- My A1C decreased from 11 to 6.7 in just six months. My blood glucose levels are normal every day.
- My first time receiving the injection was today… Because of all the negative reviews, I was quite terrified. So I made the decision to take action. As soon as I finished the injection, I took nausea medications. I took Imodium and a painkiller around 45 minutes before getting the injection. I hope the positive side effects continue because I’m not experiencing any. Well, I’m experiencing intermittent odd discomfort in my leg. Although I’m not sure whether it’s connected, I’m glad that I didn’t become as ill as the commenter.
- Since starting to use Trulicity, I have dropped 10 pounds. Although it has decreased my appetite, I still eat. I simply eat much less. I am satisfied with it thus far.
- I began taking a reduced dosage. A1C was reduced from 10.8 to 8.6 and 75 two months ago. I raised it to 1.5 since I handled the smaller dose so well (with no adverse effects at all). The first injection was taken three days ago. As long as I can stomach it, maybe there won’t be any negative consequences. It appears that I have been fortunate in that regard thus far.
Who may use Trulicity to lose weight?
Trulicity is not among the GLP-1 receptor antagonists whose use in weight loss has been authorized by the FDA. There is authorisation for the use of semaglutide in Saxenda (liraglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Wegovy (semaglutide tablets). Trulicity has been used outside of its approved uses for weight reduction, and some studies have shown that it can help certain people lose weight. A randomized, controlled experiment called AWARD-11 was used to assess the effectiveness and security of Trulicity at various dosages. All participants in this study had Type 2 diabetes. BMI and Trulicity dosage were used to split the patient outcomes. According to the reporting, weight reduction was greatest among individuals with the highest BMIs (the most overweight), receiving Trulicity at the maximum dose (4.5 mg).
Trulicity is only permitted for usage in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with Type 2 diabetes and obesity are common. Trulicity may cause significant side effects and adverse events related to hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose levels, even if you do not have diabetes. You could become jittery, have too much blood pressure dropped, or even pass out. If you have diabetes and take Trulicity, you could lose weight, but that’s okay as long as your doctor is keeping an eye on the right metrics. Trulicity shouldn’t be used only for weight loss, especially for someone who is not diabetic.
Your doctor must take a few factors into account before determining if Trulicity medication is right for you. You shouldn’t undergo the procedure again if you have previously experienced an adverse response to Trulicity. The use of Trulicity is also not advised if you have a history of thyroid cancer, most especially medullary thyroid carcinoma, or multiple endocrine neoplasias. Trulicity should be investigated if you experience severe stomach discomfort, since it may be a sign of pancreatitis. Despite being uncommon, Trulicity has been associated with dangerously low blood sugar levels. Nausea and diarrhea are two of Trulicity ‘s most frequent adverse effects.
What negative consequences does Trulicity have?
Trulicity ‘s adverse effects can range from minor to severe, as with most medications. Some of the most typical adverse effects are described in the lists below. It is necessary to mention that these are not the entire side effects. Remember that a drug’s negative effects might vary depending on:
- your age
- any other medical issues
- you also take additional drugs.
You may learn more about Trulicity ‘s potential adverse effects from your doctor or pharmacist. They may provide solutions to lessen adverse effects.
- minor negative effects
Some of the moderate side effects that Trulicity may have are listed below. Consult your doctor or pharmacist, or read the Trulicity prescription instructions, for further information on additional minor side effects. There have been a few mild Trulicity adverse effects described, including:
- abdominal aches
- burping
- diarrhea or constipation
- tiredness (low energy)
- gastrointestinal responses to injections that might result in a rash, bruising, or discomfort
- as well as a lack of appetite
- nauseous and dizzy
- slim down
Many medications have mild side effects that may subside in a few days to a few weeks. However, if they start to annoy you, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- detrimental effects
Trulicity can have serious adverse effects, however, they are uncommon. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you have any severe adverse effects from Trulicity. However, use 911 or your local emergency number if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency. Trulicity has been associated with many serious adverse effects, including:
- Low blood sugar levels might result in headaches.
- issues with kidney performance
- severe digestive issues, such as persistent diarrhea or excessive vomiting
- Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) and gallstones pancreatitis are two examples of acute (short-term)
- gallbladder illness (swelling in the pancreas)
- boxed warning: potential for rash and thyroid cancer from adverse response
How to optimize the advantages of Trulicity?
The once-weekly diabetic drug Trulicity has also been given the go-ahead to reduce cardiovascular risk. No more frequently than once per seven days should be administered. Without regard to mealtimes, it can be administered at any time of the day. Trulicity and other medications, including insulin, should not be mixed. Each pen is designated for a single use only and is labeled with the dose. Trulicity should be kept in the refrigerator, but if possible, take it out of the fridge just before the injection so that it may get to room temperature and be given more comfortably.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice have no interactions with Trulicity. Caffeine in typical doses is also safe to take. Although drinking alcohol while taking Trulicity is not prohibited, it might raise the risk of stomach distress, diarrhea, or vomiting. Alcohol should only be drunk sparingly and responsibly.
A balanced diet and regular exercise help in weight loss regardless of the medication used. Your healthcare physician can point you in the direction of more resources so you can control your eating and activity habits.
