Trulicity
It is the brand name of a drug called dulaglutide, an injectable diabetes drug that is part of a group of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
This medication is designed to help the body release insulin (a hormone that regulates glucose levels in the blood) since people who have type 2 diabetes mellitus don’t utilize insulin correctly, therefore, their normal blood glucose levels can be maintained.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that is frequently accompanied by a variety of health complications.
According to the CDC, diabetes is the 7th leading medical cause of death in the US. The Food and Drug Administration first approved this medication in 2014.
Uses
It is typically used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus together with physical exercise and diet as a method of controlling the blood glucose levels.
Dosage
The usual recommended initiating dose of this medication is 0.75 mg once every seven days. For additional blood sugar control, the dose may be increased to 1.5 mg once every seven days. This is also the maximum recommended dose.
It is not a substitute for insulin but it may be used at the same time as insulin. This medication is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist with a label that allows its use in combination with basal insulin or mealtime insulin.
Furthermore, it is recommended to change the injection site within the chosen area with every dose. Never inject this medication into a muscle or vein. You can inject this medication into your thigh, upper arm, or stomach area.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Dulaglutide
Common side effects may include:
- loss of appetite;
- vomiting;
- indigestion;
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- stomach pain.
Rare side effects may include:
- swelling or a lump in the neck;
- swelling of the lips, face, feet, ankles, tongue, or throat;
- a fast heart rate;
- difficulty breathing;
- pain in the upper stomach which spreads to the back;
- problems swallowing;
- hives;
- feeling tired;
- a hoarse voice;
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- little or no urinating;
- painful urination;
- confusion;
- irritability;
- hunger.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Avoid this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeed because there are no conclusive studies about its safe use by lactating or pregnant women.
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol intake while taking this glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.
Bydureon
It is the brand name of a medication called exenatide, an extended-release injectable diabetes drug that belongs to a group of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
This medication works by helping the human body release more insulin and control blood glucose levels. It is the 3rd GLP-1 receptor agonist to reach the American market, after Victoza (2010) and Byetta (2005).
Uses
This injectable medicine is typically used to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is used in combination with the following diabetes drugs – sulphonylureas, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and/or long-acting insulin.
Note – it is not a substitute for insulin. More importantly, it should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (a medical emergency that happens when there is not sufficient insulin in the body).
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 2 mg subcutaneously once per week. The injection can be administered at any time of day.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Exenatide
Common side effects may include:
- headaches;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- vomiting;
- a small bump where the injection was given;
- nausea;
- indigestion.
Rare side effects may include:
- feeling anxious;
- a swelling in the neck or throat;
- pain where the injection was given;
- a fast heart rate;
- hoarse voice;
- feeling short of breath;
- trouble swallowing;
- dizziness;
- problems breathing;
- difficult urination;
- irritability;
- severe pain in the upper stomach that spreads to the back;
- swelling of your feet or ankles.
Trulicity vs Bydureon – Differences
Trulicity (active ingredient dulaglutide) is an injectable prescription drug that may improve blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a diet and exercise program.
Bydureon (active ingredient – exenatide) is an injectable diabetes drug that helps control blood glucose levels. It works by mimicking the properties of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. It is part of a group of drugs called incretin mimetics.
Tanzeum vs Bydureon vs Trulicity
Tanzeum is the brand name of a drug called albiglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is also used as an adjunct to exercise and diet to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
In conclusion, all these medications are part of the same family of drugs but contain different active ingredients. They are used to control blood glucose levels. It is best to let your healthcare provider choose which is best for you.
The problem is that these medications have plenty of side effects and don’t treat the real cause of type 2 diabetes – an unhealthy lifestyle and you will be stuck taking medications the rest of your life.
4 Home Remedies For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
#1 Indian Gooseberry
It is packed with vitamin C. In addition, when combined with bitter gourd juice, its efficacy increases considerably, and it can prove to be an excellent concoction against high blood sugar levels.
#2 Fenugreek
Fenugreek (scientific name – Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae, native to India and southern Europe.
Its seeds are being used to lower blood sugar levels and to improve glucose tolerance due to its hypoglycemic activity for centuries.
#3 Physical Exercise
Any physical activity (all movement that increases energy use) increases insulin sensitivity, hence, insulin can get sugar out of the blood and into the cells. Also, physical exercise can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes mellitus from developing.
More importantșy, moderate to high volumes of aerobic activity are linked with notably lower overall mortality risks in people living with type 2 diabetes.
Note – if you haven’t exercised much recently, it is recommended to start slow and gradually increase the amount of physical exercise. Aim for 90 minutes per day.
#4 High-Fiber Diet
One of the most common recommendations for type 2 diabetes mellitus management is to increase your dietary fiber intake because it can stimulate the activity of insulin receptors, thus, it helps to balance the levels of insulin.
Foods rich in fiber include – chia seeds, flax seeds, red kidney beans, walnuts, almonds, broccoli, chickpeas, lentils, navy beans, pinto beans, cauliflower, radishes, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, brown rice, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and mulberries.
Image credit – Shutterstock & Getty
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References https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/880623 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.12816/full http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1612917 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4894510/