What is Trulicity?

Trulicity, or dulaglutide, is a diabetes medication that is administered through subcutaneous injection. It helps by controlling blood sugar levels, which are critically high when left untreated in diabetics with type 2 diabetes, otherwise known as diabetes mellitus.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that can be separated into two types.

Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body cannot produce enough insulin. The reason for this is because your body’s immune system attacks your insulin producing cells by mistake. This severely diminishes the body’s ability to produce insulin on its own. Therefore the only treatment is to provide medications that directly supply insulin to the type 1 diabetic’s body. Approximately 1.25 million adults and children in America have type 1 diabetes according to the ADA—the American Diabetes Association.

If you have type 1 diabetes, then it becomes of critical importance to regulate your food intake in terms of sugars and carbohydrates so that you can have an accurate estimate of how much insulin is required day by day.

What is the Role of Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. Insulin allows your body to utilize glucose (sugar) that is obtained from the carbohydrates that are consumed. It also allows you to store glucose for later use. In other words, insulin is responsible for shuttling energy to your cells and allowing you to use it.

The cells in your body require energy in the form of glucose, even in the absence of carbohydrates, your body is able to convert fats and proteins into glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. This conversion process illuminates how important glucose is to fueling every function of the body, and often a signal as to the misunderstanding of carbohydrates in a proper diet.

Type 2 Diabetes

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is an issue of being insulin resistant. In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin, whereas in type 2 diabetes, the body cannot effectively utilize the insulin despite it being present in abundant amounts.

When your body does not produce enough insulin or your cells have become insulin resistant, your blood sugar will rise leading to a condition known as hyperglycemia. Insulin resistance is the primary reason why type 2 diabetics do not respond well to insulin as a medication.  Instead, they are administered medications such as Trulicity which aid the body by increasing insulin sensitivity as opposed to just supplementing the body with more insulin that it can’t effectively use. Trulicity is not insulin, rather it is a medication that will allow your blood sugar and A1C levels get back into a healthier range.

The A1C Test is used to determine if a patient has diabetes, but it also is used as a metric to determine how well you are managing your diabetes. The test can tell you how well you’ve been managing your blood sugar levels in the past few months.

Before Taking Trulicity

While Trulicity is a highly effective medication in treating blood sugar issues related to type 2 diabetes, there are some stipulations to taking this medication that everyone should be aware of.

Do not take Trulicity if:

  • If you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer (medullary thyroid carcinoma)
  • You currently have diabetic ketoacidosis—which is when your body produces a high level of blood acids (ketones)
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2

Common medical consensus also warns that if you’ve ever had the following, you should alert your doctor:

  • Pancreatitis
  • GERD—Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • If you’ve been experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea as of late.

Trulicity may potentially cause thyroid tumors, and in some cases thyroid cancer.

How To Use Trulicity?

Be sure to read and follow any directions as provided by your pharmacist and/or doctor. As a general rule of thumb, however, subcutaneous injections are typically best administered following a few guidelines.

Before using Trulicity, check the product for any type of discoloration or abnormalities such as particles that should not be there. If you see anything out of the ordinary, do not take the medication. As with all injections, before taking them, take a swab of cotton or cloth and soak up some rubbing alcohol to administer to the injection site. This should ensure that minimal to no bacteria are present in the environment where the injection takes place.

It is a best practice for the patient to change the injection site for each injection, rotating through a few possible spots. This is to avoid irritation and lessen damage done to that particular are. Rotating it should give that particular spot time to heal and recover. Injection sites are typically spots like the thigh, abdomen, and upper arms. Be sure to avoid injecting into any veins or muscles.

As is the case with needles, never share needles, as this can lead to transmission of blood-related diseases. After using, discard any used needles in the proper manner of disposal.

Side Effects of Trulicity

Common side effects of Trulicity are

  • Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite

Do You Qualify for Trulicity Prescription Assistance?

The Rx Solution has been helping Americans get access to manufacturer discount programs for years. We live in difficult economic times in terms of affordable healthcare. The cost of prescription medications has only been rising year after year, leaving many people without recourse. Consider how many people have difficulties paying their rent, their mortgage, food, utilities, bills, etc. In order to make it month-to-month, they must find ways to cut back and save where they can.

Unfortunately, for many people, this cutting back often includes prescription medications. For those who are financially burdened, it is not unheard of for people to skip doses or stop purchasing medication altogether in hopes that they can hold out.

This should not be the case.

As such, Rx Solution helps those who are uninsured or underinsured apply for prescription assistance programs. These programs are offered by manufacturers that want to give those who qualify for aid, their product for a discounted price. If you are accepted to receive aid through a prescription assistance program, you may start receiving brand name prescription medications monthly!

To get started today, contact us here or give us a call at (866)-467-6660!