Dulaglutide

Dulaglutide belongs to the class of anti-diabetic drugs primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dulaglutide contains Dulaglutide that increases the insulin release from the pancreas after meals when your body has high blood glucose levels. Thus, Dulaglutide helps lower the blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dulaglutide may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and can make you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Hence, it is advised to take Dulaglutide with a meal. To immediately treat hypoglycaemia, it is advised to eat or drink fast-acting sugar sources like fruit juices, hard candy, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Use injection solution only if it is clear, colourless, and contains no particles. Administer the injection subcutaneously (under the skin) in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Your doctor or nurse will guide you on how to use the injection. You can take Dulaglutide with or without a meal. However, it is advised to take the injection preferably with a meal since it lowers the blood sugar levels and may cause gastrointestinal side effects. Do not share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle is changed.

Your doctor may advise Dulaglutide with or without other medications to control your blood sugar levels. Take Dulaglutide with other anti-diabetic medicines only if prescribed by the doctor. If you are also prescribed insulin, take Dulaglutide and insulin injections separately. Please do not mix them. You can inject both injections in the same body region, but the injection sites should not be next to each other.

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.

Store the unused Dulaglutide in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C protected from the light. You may also store Dulaglutide at room temperature of 15°C to 30°C for up to 14 days before use. Do not freeze Dulaglutide. Do not use Dulaglutide if it is frozen.

Cut back on foods high in sodium, alcohol, fried foods, and high-carb food and drinks like sugary drinks, drinks with added sugar, white rice and starchy vegetables.

Dulaglutide should not be discontinued without a doctor's consultation. Consult the doctor if you feel uncomfortable after taking Dulaglutide.

The injection site should be changed to prevent skin changes like lumps under the skin. Dulaglutide may not work well if injected into the lumpy area.

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Limit sugar intake and avoid smoking & alcohol consumption. Manage stress by doing meditation or yoga.

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may occur because you inject too much insulin, miss or delay meals, do not eat enough, eat food containing less carbohydrate than normal, drink alcohol, lose carbohydrates due to vomiting or diarrhoea, do more exercise than usual or a different type of physical activity, are recovering from an injury, illness, operation or stress, or are taking/have stopped taking other medicines.

A haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. It helps measure the amount of blood glucose attached to haemoglobin. It is used to monitor your condition and check how well you've been able to control your blood sugar levels.

Dulaglutide can be taken at any time of the day, with or without meals.

Dulaglutide slows down digestion, which causes the person to eat less, leading to weight loss. However, Dulaglutide is not indicated for weight loss.

No, Dulaglutide is not an insulin. It contains Dulaglutide, an anti-diabetic drug.

Dulaglutide can be taken with insulin if prescribed by the doctor. Please do not mix them, take Dulaglutide and insulin separately. You may give an injection of Dulaglutide and insulin in the same body area (such as the stomach area), but not right next to each other.

No, Dulaglutide is not used to treat type 1 diabetes. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dulaglutide may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Stop using Dulaglutide and consult the doctor if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting.

Regular self-monitoring of blood sugar may not be required while taking Dulaglutide. However, regular self-monitoring of blood sugar may be required while taking Dulaglutide with other anti-diabetic medicines.

Avoid foods high in sugar and fried or fatty food. Also, do not eat saturated, trans-fat, and greasy foods.

Dulaglutide may cause serious side effects like possible thyroid tumours, including cancer. Inform your doctor if you notice symptoms of thyroid cancer such as a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.

Yes, Dulaglutide can be used with other diabetes medicines if prescribed by the doctor.

Yes, you can take a protein-rich diet along with Dulaglutide. Proteins which are building blocks of the body are one of the major energy providers. They break down into glucose to release energy.

Though artificial sweeteners may not affect blood sugar levels, it is advised to consult a doctor before using artificial sweeteners while taking Dulaglutide.

Uncontrolled diabetes may cause kidney problems leading to diabetic nephropathy. To prevent this, keep your blood sugar levels under control and regularly monitor your kidney function.

No, there is no cure for diabetes. However, using diabetic medicines and following diet and exercise may help manage diabetes.