Type 2 diabetes treatment reaches pharmacies

Pharmacies in the United States have made available Eli Lilly and Company’s Trulicity, a single-dose pen to treat type 2 diabetes.
Improving type 2 diabetes control
This once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) is designed to improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Trulicity is not an insulin replacement, but the GLP-1 RA helps the body release its own insulin, inhibit glucagon release and help to slow down digestion after eating to control blood sugar levels.
Trulicity is an additional treatment to diet and exercise, but not recommended as a primary therapy for type 2 diabetes patients with inadequate control.
“Some adults with type 2 diabetes find that diet, exercise and oral medicines aren’t enough to meet their treatment goals,” said Dr. Laura Fernandez, senior medical advisor, Lilly Diabetes.
“Trulicity may be an option for them as it has demonstrated proven glycemic control, only has to be taken once weekly, and comes in an easy-to-use pen.”
Trulicity has not yet been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease, with some of its risks including thyroid c-cell tumours. It also cannot be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
UK release
Trulicity is currently recommended for approval as a developmental status in the United Kingdom, but no official launch date has been announced.
Only registered National Health Service users will have Trulicity become available to them upon its release.