Trulicity Insulin, What Is It, Benefits, Side Effects, How to Get It

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Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Tue Apr 25 2023)

Approximately one in 10 adults is diagnosed with diabetes. Because of the rise in type 2 diabetes, many medications are being introduced in the search for a sustained cure. In recent times ‘Trulicity Insulin’ has been introduced with the hope of naturally treating type 2 diabetes.

In this article we’re going to dive deep into more detail on Trulicity, then, given the high cost of insulin, we’ll let you know how you can get it if you’re struggling to afford it. But first, here’s a quick answer.

What Is Trulicity Insulin? Trulicity insulin is a once-weekly injected medication for type 2 diabetes. As type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s ineffective insulin supply, “Trulicity Insulin” helps the body release its own insulin. The released insulin reduces blood glucose levels and thereby controls type 2 diabetes.

Trulicity is a medication that naturally causes a human system to do what it is supposed to do for type 2 diabetes. Let’s explain more clearly how it works. Then we’ll go on to the benefits and side effects and finally, share how we can help you get it!

How Trulicity Works

Insulin is one of the important elements that consume glucose in the blood. In fact, cells in the pancreas respond to rising sugar levels by producing the necessary insulin. Through this, insulin helps all the cells in the body to absorb glucose and use it for energy.

Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not have the ability to supply sufficient insulin. And as mentioned, insulin is essential to control the rising blood sugar (blood glucose levels). So all that a type 2 diabetes sufferer needs are enough insulin, which the body finds hard to supply in the right amount.

In more medical terminology, type 2 diabetes is where the pancreas is unable to supply enough insulin to regulate the blood sugar. All that a type 2 diabetes sufferer needs is the pancreas to release more insulin. And that’s what Trulicity actively does.

Trulicity has an active substance called dulaglutide, which is a ‘GLP-1 receptor agonist’. What it does is it reaches the receptors in the pancreas, when the Trulicity is injected. This then activates the pancreas to release insulin. And then the body is naturally supplied with the insulin the body needs to reduce blood sugar levels.

At the same time, trulicity also controls the liver from releasing stored glucose (which would increase the blood sugar even further). It also helps to regulate the supply of insulin. For example, when the blood sugar rises, the supply of insulin is increased, and when the blood sugar drops, the supply of insulin is lowered.

You might be wondering if it’s the right medication. So let’s look into if Trulicity is actually approved.

Is Trulicity Approved?

Although Trulicity has its own benefits and side effects (which we’ll discuss shortly) The FDA has fully approved Trulicity for use within the USA, it’s also fully available for use within Canada. The EU Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) have also approved its use within the EU as well. The committee agreed that Trulicity can bring a significant and clinically relevant impact in controlling glucose levels, alongside the use of other medications.

The FDA and the EU committee also believed that Trulicity is effective weekly with a dose of 1.5 mg than 0.75 mg. However, it is important to bring to attention that the ratio of benefits to risk can vary with different age groups. Certain, more vulnerable age groups might need to be monitored when using Trulicity.

But still, there are no specific areas of major concern, because its risks are similar to other classes of insulin medications. However, there are several warnings and precautions that are set out to look for when using Trulicity.

Now with all this background in mind, it’s important to understand the ways Trulicity can actually help.

7 Ways Trulicity Can Help With Diabetes

As we all know, the first way Trulicity can help is by treating type 2 diabetes naturally. Along with these the following are other ways Trulicity can help:

Releasing Insulin and Controlling the Release of Stored Glucose

Trulicity activates the pancreas to release the necessary insulin required to reduce blood sugar levels which are usually increased with the intake of food. Similarly, the liver starts releasing stored glucose along with digestion of food. Therefore, Trulicity helps in controlling the liver from releasing the stored glucose when it’s not necessary, especially after a meal.

Slowing Down the Digestion Process

Stomach digestion time is also reduced with the use of Trulicity. Type 2 diabetes clears the stomach sooner than normal. This fast stomach emptying process, in turn, raises the blood sugar levels. It’s difficult for the body to handle the sudden rise in blood sugar levels. So Trulicity helps to slow the stomach digestion time and thereby helps the body to easily handle the rise in blood sugar levels.

Controlling Your Appetite

Trulicity also helps to stimulate the satiety center in the brain. This is where the brain gets convinced that you’ve had enough food. This mentality is important to control the amount of food you intake throughout the day. That’s because the body creates blood sugar from the food you eat (This is why the blood sugar rises just after eating). So when the amount of food you intake is controlled, the rise in blood sugar can also be regulated.

Assists in Weight Loss

The other significant use of Trulicity is weight loss. In case you didn’t know, your weight has a positive correlation with type 2 diabetes. Meaning the more weight you gain, the greater the risk of type 2 diabetes.

However, once diagnosed with type 2 diabetes patients go through a hard time trying to lose weight. This is why the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes range from slightly overweight, right through to clinically obese. Trulicity insulin, fortunately, helps to overcome this situation by helping in weight loss. On the other hand, reducing weight helps in reducing the blood sugar levels and the overall diabetes disease.

Restricting the Release of Glucagon

Trulicity also helps in limiting the release of glucagon. This is important because glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose. Thereby again increasing the blood sugar. So when the glucagon release is limited, the blood sugar level is also controlled equally.

Reducing the Risk of Heart and Kidney Diseases

The risk of developing heart and kidney disease is extremely high among type 2 diabetes patients. However, with the use of Trulicity, this can be minimized. A study published in thelancet has shown the use of Trulicity has reduced heart-related diseases by 12 percent compared to other insulin treatments. The study also concluded that there’s another 15 percent reduction in kidney related diseases with the use of Trulicity.

Reduces the Percentage of Glycosylated Hemoglobin (hba1c)

A study has concluded that using Trulicity is effective in changing the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the percentage of hemoglobin that has glucose attached. They give a better indication of how the blood sugar is controlled.

The more the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood, the more the risk of increased blood sugar. However, the study confirmed that when Trulicity is used alone, the glycosylated hemoglobin percentage in the blood is reduced.

Now that you know the uses of Trulicity insulin, let’s take a look at some of its common side effects and other things to watch out for.

Common Side Effects of Trulicity

Before I list some of the common side effects, it’s important to remember that these side effects can vary from one to another, depending on many reasons. Especially if any other medications are taken in parallel with using Trulicity insulin. So if there are major health concerns prior to the point where one decides to use Trulicity, it’s always best to consult a doctor for further advice.

Abdomen Pain

Sometimes with the use of Trulicity, you may experience severe stomach pain (in the abdomen area). The pain can come with or without vomiting. The pain can be starting from the abdomen area and can extend all the way to your back.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Taking another medication contributing to low blood sugar (such as insulin or sulfonylurea) along with the usage of Trulicity insulin may cause hypoglycemia. Dizziness, anxiety, mood swings, confusion, hunger, headache, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, shakiness, blurred vision, irritability, sweating, slurred speech, and weakness are some common symptoms of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).

Intense Allergic Reactions

Serious allergic reactions are other common side effects of Trulicity. Swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue, breathing or swallowing difficulties, itchiness, dizziness, and fast heartbeats are some common symptoms of serious allergic reactions while using Trulicity.

Can Worsen Kidney Injuries

People with kidney problems may experience dehydration along with the use of Trulicity. This may worsen kidney problems.

Nausea

This is yet another common side effect of using Trulicity. Usually, this side effect occurs after two to three days from the first dosage. While some can also experience this by the end of the first two weeks of dosage. Very rarely nausea can also occur beyond the first two weeks of dosage.

Possible Side Effects on Pregnancy and Unborn Babies

Trulicity is a relatively new drug, and little is known on its side effects on pregnant mothers and unborn babies. In fact, animal studies have favored that Trulicity could be harmful to unborn babies.

But, no such studies are conducted on humans enough to be considered to be safe, so it’s not recommended or advised for pregnant mothers to use Trulicity. This can also be applied to breastfeeding mothers, as there’s no confirmation if Trulicity can pass into breast milk.

With that being said, the following are some tips you can follow when using trulicity.

Trulicity Use Hints and Tips

• Try to eat smaller meals. You can split your meals into smaller portions and consume them throughout the day.
• Try to stop eating when you feel full. Controlling the intake of food helps a lot in regulating blood sugar.
• Try to avoid fatty, oily and fried food as much as possible.
• Try consuming more food and drinks with ginger.
• Try to eat bland foods like rice and toasts, whenever possible

With all that information you might want to know where you can actually obtain it, particularly if you’re on a budget. Let’s see where you can get your Trulicity medication.

How to Get Trulicity

You can get Trulicity only through a prescription, but due to the high cost, it’s also available through our program. Consult with your doctor and explain your medical concerns and get confirmation if it’s right for you. Once the doctor approves and you have the prescription, you can get it by any retail or mail-order pharmacy. You can also get Trulicity samples from your doctor, which should have two pens.

However, Trulicity costs can prevent many from taking it regularly enough to help, and getting help to purchase Trulicity can greatly ease the affordability pressure. Visit us online to see how you can save money on your Trulicity.

How to Use Trulicity

Trulicity is taken as an injection. Trulicity is subcutaneously injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The way to inject Trulicity will be shown by your doctor or healthcare professional. More information can also be found here.

Trulicity is usually injected once a week. Please refrain from injecting Trulicity unless you know how to. Trulicity packages will come with pre-filled syringes. One syringe can only be used once. Never reuse a syringe. Even if there is some left over, please throw the syringe away after its first use.

Trulicity can be used at any time of the day before or after meals. You can even switch the days you use Trulicity. But make sure there are 3 days (72 hours) between each dosage. If your last dosage is fewer than three days previous, you have to wait until the following week. However, Trulicity is best recommended to be injected on the same day of every week. At the same time, this will prevent injecting Trulicity twice or three times within the same day.

And with this guidance, how about we take a look at the recommended dosage?

Recommended Dosage

The all-time recommended initiating dose is 0.75 mg once weekly. The dosage can be increased to 1.5 mg once a week. The increment can give better glycemic control. However, this is the maximum recommended dosage.

If you miss a dosage, you’re instructed to recall if there are at least three days left until the next dosage. And like we stated above, if there are three days left until the next dosage, skip the missed dosage. Then after, resume the regular once a week dosage after the three days has passed.

Even if all the instructions and recommended dosage are followed properly, there can still be ways you can be administering Trulicity insulin in the wrong way. Let’s take a look at those…

General Administration Instructions

Firstly get your healthcare professional or doctor to train you on the Trulicity injection technique. This training is important to avoid administration errors. Needle sticks, improper injection site, and incomplete dosage are common administration errors that could occur when using Trulicity.

You can also refer to the accompanying instructions that come along with the Trulicity package. Or else you can log into the official website of the provider and look for instructions, just to be sure. Furthermore, you will also be instructed to administer separate injections and will not be recommended more than one usage.

It’s also acceptable to inject Trulicity and insulin in the same body region. But, when you inject in the same body region make sure the injections are not adjacent to each other. Also, when injecting in the same body region, use a different injection site each week.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes is becoming a major concern nowadays. Type 2 diabetes is where the blood sugar is not provided with effective or sufficient insulin to reduce or control the rising blood sugar.

Trulicity insulin is aimed at treating this increasing epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Trulicity insulin is approved by the FDA and the Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). The committee agrees that Trulicity has positive and effective impacts in treating type 2 diabetes.

Trulicity insulin triggers the pancreas to deliver the right amount of insulin, naturally. It also controls the liver from releasing stored glucose, which will increase the blood sugar. Through these, it is then possible to control the glucose levels in the blood sugar and thereby treating type 2 diabetes.

How Trulicity impacts different aspects of type 2 diabetes is continuing to make Trulicity the best option among type 2 diabetes patients. The fact that it’s been fully approved means it’s a safe drug to use that’s effective in diabetes treatment.

If you have any questions, or if you suffer from diabetes and you’re having trouble affording any of the medications you’ve been prescribed, visit us online to fill out an application – we’re happy to help.