More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, and 90% to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes. When your blood sugar levels are difficult to manage, Trulicity can help. People use Trulicity when exercise and diet alone can’t stabilize their blood glucose.
The FDA approved Trulicity in 2014 for type 2 diabetes treatment. It can be used alone or alongside other blood-sugar-lowering medications, especially when these meds are not enough to control glucose levels. Here is a quick guide for taking Trulicity.
What is trulicity?
Dulaglutide (brand name: Trulicity) is a single-use injection pen you take once a week. This is a pre-filled delivery device that contains one weekly dose. It activates the GLP-1 receptor, which stimulates the system to produce more insulin.
Trulicity slows digestion and stops the release of more sugar into the bloodstream. With just a single dose, this injectable medication has the ability to reduce fasting glucose levels and blood sugar concentrations after eating.
What is trulicity used for?
Trulicity is meant to help patients stabilize their type 2 diabetes (T2D). This medicine aims to prevent strong fluctuations in glucose and avoid issues triggered by too low or too high blood sugar.
With adequate type 2 diabetes management, patients can avoid possible long-term complications from their metabolic condition. That’s because type 2 diabetes can affect major organs, including the kidneys, eyes, nerves, blood vessels, and heart.
Is trulicity effective for managing diabetes?
Trulicity is an effective and generally well-tolerated injectable medicine for poorly managed type 2 diabetes.
Early data indicates that severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) was less common for patients who used dulaglutide and short-acting insulin compared to those who used a combination of short- and long-acting insulin.
There was no severe hypoglycemia in the dulaglutide group. But, it happened in 6 out of 100 patients in the other group. Symptomatic hypoglycemia was also less common in the patients who took dulaglutide. This proved to be another advantage in the management of T2D.
What are the side effects of trulicity?
Just like any medication out there, you can experience side effects. Some of the most commonly recorded side effects of Trulicity are gastrointestinal problems. But you can also experience a range of other adverse reactions depending on the other medications you are taking.
Some common Trulicity side effects include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
Other uncommon or rare side effects include:
- Gallbladder disease
- Kidney damage
- Pancreatitis
- Thyroid problems
Most of the common adverse reactions are mild and easily managed. You can avoid heavy meals and reduce your portion size to reduce stomach discomfort. But, when the reactions become severe or bothersome, talk to a specialist.
They can suggest you take some OTC medication for pain relief or take a different course of action, such as changing the medicine. Other alternatives to Trulicity can include Ozempic, Rybelsus, Victoza, Metformin, etc.
Don’t use Trulicity if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the product.
7 tips for taking trulicity
Trulicity can easily fit into your busy schedule. You can take it with or without food and without a specific time schedule. You just have to use it weekly and dispose of it safely after use. You can’t use the pen more than once.
Here are some tips to make the most of this prescription medication.
1. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat
Some foods are very tough for the body to digest. When you overeat them and use Trulicity, you are more likely to experience nausea.
Some of the foods to avoid with Trulicity are:
- Junk food
- Fast food
- Processed food
- Cookies
- Cake
- Candy
- Refined grains
Ideally, you should consume foods high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The best foods are veggies, like root vegetables and leafy greens. Fruits, lean protein, and unsweetened beverages can also come in handy.
Make sure to eat smaller portions and take your time when chewing. Any bland or light meal can work well with Trulicity.
2. Use a sharps container to throw away the pen
Don’t just throw the pen in the garbage can. Used needles are very dangerous for people and pets. They can cause injuries and spread infections.
Sharps containers are leak-proof, puncture-proof, and sealed products that limit exposure to sharp objects. You can use them to dispose of syringes and other materials that can cut or pierce the skin.
3. Trulicity pen can spoil, so store it wisely
Trulicity should be a colorless and clear solution. Always check the expiration date before using the product. Don’t use the medicine if it has any lumps, is discolored, or is frozen.
You can leave this injectable medication unrefrigerated for not more than 14 days. As long as you store it away from direct sunlight or heat and at a room temperature of less than 30°C (86°F). If you take it out of the fridge, and leave it in the room for more than 14 days without using it, throw it away.
Don’t store Trulicity in the freezer. Freezing temperatures break down the molecules, and the effect of the medicine subsides. If the product is frozen, throw it away.
4. Numb the skin before you do an injection
Want to know how to make the injectable pen hurt less? You can apply an ice cube or ice pack before injecting yourself. This can be a useful strategy for people who are prone to pain and bruising.
But be careful when applying ice. Make sure to avoid hurting the skin, and don’t hold the ice on the skin for more than 15 min.
If ice is not enough to prevent pain, talk to your healthcare provider. They can suggest you use a prescription or OTC numbing cream. These products use potent numbing agents that can make the injections more comfortable.
5. Pick the right spot when injecting
You can inject Trulicity into the thigh or abdomen. You can also use the medicine in the upper arm. Rotate the injection sites every week.
Since Trulicity is a subcutaneous injection, you can pick a site that has a bit more fat on the body. The outer and front sides of the thighs are ample areas for injection. When injecting Trulicity, avoid using the product around the belly button.
These sites are away from nerves, large blood vessels, and joints, which can help you minimize discomfort.
Note: Ask a nurse or doctor to show you how to administer Trulicity before you use it yourself.
6. Make a note of which injection site you used
You should inject about 1 ½ inches away from where you last used the Trulicity pen.
But, you will most likely forget the last injection site. That’s why doctors suggest you keep a record of where you use the injection pen. You can keep a written record or save the site on your computer or phone.
7. Try to save on Trulicity pen costs
Trulicity is expensive. Especially for people on a tight budget. If you want to save some money, look for coupons and saving cards. Make sure to compare the prices at your local pharmacy before you file a prescription.
Pharmaceutical companies also sponsor patient assistance programs for those who can’t afford their medicine. If your application gets accepted, you can get the medicine for free. Talk to your doctor or a healthcare expert to check the eligibility requirements.
Conclusion
Trulicity is an injectable prescription medicine for type 2 diabetes patients. To make the most of the product, watch the food you eat, injection sites, and storage. You can also save on costs with coupons and saving cards. Talk to a doctor if you plan to take Trulicity.
Author Bio
Ben’s Natural Health is the world’s first high-quality, all-natural, scientifically proven clinical supplement company. Their motto is to combine holistic healing with modern science.
Ben has brought together a team of naturopaths, nutritionists, and medical researchers to help him create real, side-effect-free solutions to serious metabolic health conditions.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8660571/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4894510/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557370/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32002850/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557371/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8518850/
Speaks from heart, always too passionate and driven by emotions. Spins the words with kindness & sharpness, intriguing your ever-inscrutable minds.