What is Trulicity?
Trulicity is a once-a-week prescription injectable diabetes medicine that contains the active ingredient Dulaglutide and is designed to control blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues and aid in weight loss in adults and children aged 10 years old and above with type 2 diabetes.
This product comes in disposable single-use Trulicity pens, available in 0.75mg, 1.5mg, 3.0mg and 4.5mg doses.
How does Trulicity work?
The active ingredient in Trulicity, dulaglutide, acts as a synthetic version of GLP-1, a hormone naturally produced in the gut. GLP-1 is released when you eat and works in several ways to improve blood sugar levels:
- Increases insulin release from the pancreas, helping to lower blood glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia.
- Reduces glucose production in the liver, which is often excessive in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Induces a feeling of fullness and early satiety, slowing down gastric emptying and reducing food intake.
By mimicking the actions of GLP-1, Trulicity effectively helps to control blood glucose levels and alleviate symptoms of type 2 diabetes, aiding patients seeking optimal diabetes management and potential weight loss benefits.
How does Trulicity help you lose weight?
Trulicity aids in weight loss through its GLP-1 receptor agonist action, which not only improves blood sugar control but also induces a feeling of fullness, reduces food intake, and slows digestion, resulting in an added benefit of weight loss for individuals using the medication.
This medication may be prescribed in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices, facilitating long-term weight management.
Here at Pharmica, you can order fully licensed and clinically proven alternative weight loss treatments to Trulicity. For more guidance, read more about how to get the most out of your weight loss medication to achieve consistent weight loss results.
How effective is Trulicity for weight loss?
Trulicity has shown potential for weight loss, although it is not specifically indicated as a weight loss medication.
Clinical evidence from a 52-week trial with 1,842 patients revealed significant reductions in body weight from baseline at the 36-week mark for all three doses tested (1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, and 4.5 mg) of Trulicity.
While Trulicity injections can aid in weight loss, its effectiveness will depend on how well individuals can incorporate lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications and exercise.
What are the side effects of Trulicity?
As with any medication, individual experiences with side effects may vary, and it is important to discuss potential concerns and side effects with a healthcare provider before starting to take Trulicity.
Common side effects of Trulicity include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal Pain
- Hypoglycaemia
- Decreased Appetite
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Gas
- Bloating of the stomach
- Heartburn
- Burping
- Feeling tired
- Increased heart rate
- Slowing of the electrical currents in the heart
Rarer Trulicity side effects include:
- Allergic reactions
- Acute pancreatitis
- Bowel Obstruction
- Delay in emptying of the stomach
- Dehydration
- Gallstones
- Inflamed gallbladder
Please review the Trulicity Patient Information Leaflet before starting the treatment.
Is Trulicity safe?
While Trulicity injections have shown effectiveness in promoting weight loss, it is important to consider the potential side effects and individual health factors when assessing its safety.
Key Considerations for taking Trulicity:
- Do not take Trulicity if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Trulicity injections, including Dulaglutide. Consult Trulicity Patient Information Leaflet for a comprehensive list of ingredients
- Do not take Trulicity if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Do not take Trulicity if you are on dialysis
- Do not take Trulicity if you have type 1 diabetes
As with any medication, the safety of Trulicity should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with careful consideration of the individual's medical history and consultation with a healthcare professional.
Where can I buy Trulicity in the UK?
To buy Trulicity online, a valid prescription is required, which can be obtained from a licensed pharmacy.
It's essential to keep in mind that Trulicity injections are specifically indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, you can purchase alternative weight loss treatments in the UK that are clinically proven and effective.
Can I get Trulicity injections on the NHS?
Trulicity (dulaglutide) can be prescribed on the NHS for patients with type 2 diabetes and other coexisting conditions.
It is important to note that the UK government has urged healthcare providers to discontinue the prescription of appetite suppressant medications for weight loss. This decision comes as a response to significant GLP 1 shortages, which have created serious clinical implications for patients with type 2 diabetes.
How to use Trulicity?
Each Trulicity pen contains a weekly dose (0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg), delivering only one Trulicity dosage per pen. The pen can be used at any time of the day, with or without meals, ideally on the same day each week if possible.
Always follow your doctor's instructions and use Trulicity injections exactly as prescribed. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.
Trulicity Dosage in Adults:
For the treatment of diabetes, your doctor may prescribe a once-weekly dose of Trulicity 0.75 mg when used alone.
When combined with other diabetes medications, the recommended dose may be a 1.5 mg Trulicity injection once a week.
If your blood sugar levels are not adequately controlled, your doctor might adjust the dose to a 3.0 mg Trulicity injection once a week.
For further improvement in blood sugar control, the dose may be further increased to a 4.5 mg Trulicity injection once a week.
Is Trulicity the same as Wegovy? Dulaglutide vs Semaglutide
Trulicity and Wegovy are not the same medications. While both are injectable medications that can aid in weight loss, they contain different active ingredients.
Trulicity contains dulaglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps control blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of serious heart problems and promotes weight loss.
Wegovy, on the other hand, contains semaglutide, which is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist with similar effects on blood sugar control and weight loss.
Although they belong to the same class of medications, Trulicity and Wegovy have different active ingredients and are not interchangeable.
Is Trulicity the same as Ozempic? Dulaglutide vs Semaglutide
Trulicity and Ozempic are not the same medications. While there are similarities in mechanism of action as both belong to the same class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, both are used to treat type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss, they contain different active ingredients and dosing regimens.
Trulicity contains dulaglutide, while Ozempic contains semaglutide. Both medications work by stimulating insulin release, reducing glucagon production, and slowing digestion to help control blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
Is Trulicity the same as Mounjaro? Dulaglutide vs Tirzepatide
Trulicity and Mounjaro are not the same treatments. While both are prescription injectable medications used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, they contain different active ingredients and mechanisms of action.
Trulicity contains dulaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that aids in weight loss and reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, another medication approved for type 2 diabetes which has shown to aid weight loss.
What are the alternatives to Trulicity in the UK?
Another effective and medically approved weight loss treatment available in the UK is Orlistat - a weight loss tablet that helps you reduce the absorption of dietary fat in the body.
When combined with a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, Orlistat can support weight loss of up to 50% more than from just dieting.