As glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists turn into extra mainstream as weight reduction remedies, you could start to acknowledge model names, resembling Trulicity.
Trulicity, a once-weekly injection, is a drugs used to assist handle blood sugar ranges in folks residing with sort 2 diabetes.
Nevertheless, increasingly individuals are being prescribed this medicine to assist in weight reduction—though it’s not but permitted by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for this function.
Learn on to be taught extra about Trulicity, the advantages and dangers, and decide if it’s the suitable weight reduction methodology for you.
What’s Trulicity?
Trulicity is a name-brand medicine used to deal with sort 2 diabetes. In 2014, it was permitted by the FDA for the administration of blood sugar ranges, typically together with insulin remedy.
It’s an injectable drug taken as soon as weekly and falls below the GLP-1agonist drug class. The energetic ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide.
Trulicity lowers blood sugar ranges by attaching to sure receptors on the cells of the pancreas. This prompts the pancreas to extend insulin manufacturing, thus reducing blood sugars.
Trulicity additionally prevents blood sugar spikes after meals by stopping the manufacturing of glucagon from the liver. This will increase insulin sensitivity.
Lastly, Trulicity slows digestion. Whereas this will likely trigger some antagonistic negative effects, it might additionally make you are feeling fuller for longer.
Comparable medication to Trulicity are drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Victoza, that are rising in reputation as a result of their skill to assist folks drop pounds.
Can Trulicity allow you to drop pounds?
Technically, sure. GLP-1 agonists, resembling Wegovy, are permitted particularly for weight reduction.
Although Trulicity isn’t FDA-approved as a weight reduction drug, many sufferers taking Trulicity for diabetes administration do drop pounds.
Though modest, Trulicity in randomized managed trials (RCTs) was proven to assist the common individual lose round 6.6 kilos, which has been confirmed to be sustained over the course of 6 months.
One other research confirmed that in comparison with a placebo, dulaglutide (the energetic ingredient in Trulicity) helped sufferers obtain decrease blood sugar ranges, decrease A1C ranges, and weight reduction.
Trulicity is simplest when mixed with a nutritious diet, elevated bodily exercise, and as a complement to any prescribed diabetes drugs.
As a result of Trulicity isn’t FDA-approved as a weight reduction drug, there isn’t any really useful dose to realize weight reduction. Nevertheless, research have proven that weight reduction was dose-dependent, that means the extra medicine folks took, probably the most weight they had been capable of lose sustainably.
How shortly can I drop pounds on Trulicity?
We don’t suggest taking Trulicity as a fast weight reduction answer. Sustainable weight reduction will occur over time.
Since Trulicity suppresses urge for food and improves insulin sensitivity, any weight reduction you expertise can be gradual, occurring over a number of months.
Mix Trulicity with a nutritious diet and elevated train to extend weight reduction outcomes.
How a lot weight are you able to lose with Trulicity?
In response to analysis, Trulicity was discovered to assist sufferers lose a mean of 6.6 kilos and sustained this weight reduction for greater than 6 months.
The medicine is dose-dependent, so on 1 mg, sufferers normally lose a mean of 6.6 kilos. On 3.0 mg, sufferers lose a mean of 8.4 kilos, and on the most weekly dose of 4.5 mg, sufferers lose a mean of 10.1 kilos.
Nevertheless, any weight reduction is normally regained after sufferers cease taking the medicine.
What are the negative effects of Trulicity?
Trulicity could trigger antagonistic negative effects, particularly while you first begin taking the medicine. These negative effects could embrace:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased urge for food
- Abdomen ache and bloating
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Redness and swelling on the injection web site
- Low blood sugar, particularly in the event you’re on insulin
Not often, Trulicity could trigger the next:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Extreme allergic response
- Impaired kidney operate
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
You shouldn’t take Trulicity you probably have a private or household historical past of MTC or a number of endocrine neoplasia.
The FDA launched a black field warning about Trulicity’s affiliation with an elevated threat of thyroid most cancers.
Who mustn’t take Trulicity?
Don’t take Trulicity in the event you would not have a prescription for Trulicity. You shouldn’t use Trulicity in case you are at a upkeep weight or are underweight.
Ideally, you shouldn’t take Trulicity as a weight reduction therapy in the event you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on turning into pregnant.
Trulicity could trigger severe (however uncommon) negative effects, together with thyroid C-cell tumors, and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
In case you are on insulin, be aware that Trulicity could improve low blood sugar ranges. You could wish to begin utilizing a steady glucose monitor (CGM) earlier than beginning Trulicity in the event you battle with frequent hypoglycemia, and particularly in the event you battle with hypo unawareness.
Can Trulicity change insulin?
No. Trulicity may be very totally different from insulin and it’s not an insulin alternative.
If you happen to’ve lately been prescribed Trulicity, don’t cease taking your different diabetes drugs until directed to by your physician.
Trulicity lowers blood sugar ranges over time, however it doesn’t trigger acute low blood sugars in the best way that insulin does.
If you happen to usually take insulin you will have to proceed to take action. If you happen to’ve been on Trulicity for a number of months, you could discover that your insulin wants are regularly lowering however this not often, if ever, utterly takes away the necessity to take insulin to your diabetes.
If you happen to’re experiencing frequent low blood sugars whereas taking Trulicity, this almost definitely implies that your insulin sensitivity has elevated and also you’ll have to lower your insulin dose. Discuss along with your physician about adjusting your medicine and/or insulin doses to assist keep away from frequent hypoglycemic occasions.
Can I take Trulicity if I don’t have diabetes?
A rule of thumb is that it is best to by no means take any medicine that hasn’t been prescribed to you. Trulicity is barely FDA-approved as a therapy for sort 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, it’s more and more prescribed “off-label”, which implies with out approval from the FDA.
Trulicity is commonly prescribed for weight reduction in individuals who have persistent insulin resistance and are having bother shedding or sustaining their weight—this may occur to folks residing with sort 1 diabetes or prediabetes, in addition to people who find themselves obese or overweight.
If you happen to would not have diabetes, you need to be conscious that Trulicity could cause antagonistic negative effects, together with low blood sugar ranges and low blood strain, each of which might be deadly if not handled accurately.
If you happen to’re attempting to drop pounds and would not have diabetes, ask your physician about FDA-approved weight reduction drugs which may be a more sensible choice for you.
Is Trulicity best for you? Let’s ask your physician.
No healthcare answer is one dimension suits all. Join along with your major care doctor to find out if a Trulicity prescription is the suitable weight reduction methodology for you.
