USFDA CDER Approves Eli-lilly's Trulicity (dulaglutide), a once-weekly subcutaneous injection for Type 2 Diabetes

Trulicity (dulaglutide), a once-weekly subcutaneous injection to improve glycemic control (blood sugar levels), along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes affects about 26 million people and accounts for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases diagnosed in the United States. Over time, high blood sugar levels can increase the risk for serious complications, including heart disease, blindness, and nerve and kidney damage.

Trulicity is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a hormone that helps normalize blood sugar levels. The drug’s safety and effectiveness were evaluated in six clinical trials in which 3,342 patients with type 2 diabetes received Trulicity. Patients receiving Trulicity had an improvement in their blood sugar control as observed with reductions in HbA1c level (hemoglobin A1c is a measure of blood sugar control). 

Trulicity has been studied as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with other type 2 diabetes therapies, including metformin, sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, and prandial insulin. Trulicity should not be used to treat people with type 1 diabetes; those who have increased ketones in their blood or urine (diabetic ketoacidosis); those with severe stomach or intestinal problems; or as first-line therapy for patients who cannot be managed with diet and exercise.

Trulicity has a boxed warning that tumors of the thyroid gland (thyroid C-cell tumors) have been observed in rodent studies with Trulicity but that it is unknown whether Trulicity causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans. Trulicity should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease in which patients have tumors in more than one gland in their body, which predisposes them to MTC). 

Trulicity is manufactured by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company.

For more information, please visit: Trulicity