DULAGLUTIDE belongs to the class of anti-diabetic drugs primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance) or the pancreas produces little or no insulin at all.
DULAGLUTIDE contains Dulaglutide that belongs to the class of ‘incretin mimetics’. Dulaglutide works by increasing insulin release from the pancreas during high blood sugar levels (after meals) and decreasing the amount of sugar the liver makes. DULAGLUTIDE also prevents the risk of heart diseases in type 2 diabetes patients.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of DULAGLUTIDE based on your medical condition. Some common side effects of DULAGLUTIDE include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, stomach pain, constipation, and feeling tired. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Before starting DULAGLUTIDE, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of heart, kidney or liver diseases. It is advised to limit your alcohol intake while using DULAGLUTIDE to avoid low blood sugar levels. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting DULAGLUTIDE. DULAGLUTIDE may make you feel tired, hence drive and operate machinery only when you are feeling better. DULAGLUTIDE is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.
DULAGLUTIDE is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is an incretin mimetic that mimics the action of a natural hormone called Incretin (a metabolic hormone that stimulates a decrease in blood glucose levels). It works by increasing insulin release from the pancreas during high blood sugar levels (after meals) and decreases the amount of sugar the liver makes. DULAGLUTIDE also reduces the risk of serious heart diseases, such as heart attack or stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. DULAGLUTIDE may be advised with or without other medications along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stomach disorders like acid reflux, gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), diabetic retinopathy, and type 1 diabetes before starting DULAGLUTIDE. DULAGLUTIDE is contraindicated in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetes complication where the body produces excess blood acids (ketones)), and personal or family history of thyroid cancer. Do not share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle is changed. It is advised to limit your alcohol intake while using DULAGLUTIDE to avoid low blood sugar levels. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting this medication. DULAGLUTIDE may make you feel tired; hence drive and operate machinery only when you are feeling better. DULAGLUTIDE is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Drug-Drug Interaction: DULAGLUTIDE may interact with other anti-diabetic medicines (insulin glargine), hormones (levothyroxine), high blood pressure medicines (propranolol, metoprolol), and glaucoma eye drops (timolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it affects blood sugar levels. Avoid fatty foods and include healthy carbohydrates in your diet.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking DULAGLUTIDE if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis, gastroparesis, reflux, and hypoglycaemia. DULAGLUTIDE is contraindicated in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, diabetic ketoacidosis, and personal or family history of thyroid cancer.
It is advised to limit alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects and increase the risk of developing low blood sugar levels.
Please consult your doctor before starting DULAGLUTIDE if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefit outweighs the risk.
There is no sufficient data on how DULAGLUTIDE affects breastfeeding. It is safe to seek medical advice before starting DULAGLUTIDE if you are lactating.
Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any signs of low blood sugar.
Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when prescribed DULAGLUTIDE.
Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed DULAGLUTIDE.
DULAGLUTIDE is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
It is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
Diabetes mellitus: It is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. Diabetes mellitus is also known as adult-onset diabetes. It occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance) or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produce little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people above 40 years but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors. The treatment includes oral glucose-lowering medicines and insulin shots.