Once-weekly drug Trulicity released in UK to treat type 2 diabetes

Trulicity, a once-weekly injectable drug from Eli Lilly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes is now available in the United Kingdom.
What is Trulicity?
Dulaglutide (Trulicity) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), designed to improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Trulicity can be used as an additional treatment when diet and exercise fail to provide glycemic control, or as a primary therapy when metformin is inappropriate for type 2 diabetes patients with inadequate control.
Trulicity works by helping the body release its own insulin, inhibiting the release of glucagon and slowing down digestion after eating to control blood sugar levels.
It was launched in the UK on 13 January 2015, and now provides type 2 diabetes patients with an option to Bydureon from AstraZenecan, a modified release exenatide which comes as a once-weekly injection.
Treatment reluctance
Concerns have been raised by patients about their reluctance to use injectable treatments, with Eli Lilly previously acknowledging this may be viewed as a sign their type 2 diabetes is worsening.
“Anxiety about needles is something many GPs and diabetes nurse specialists hear from patients, but options are now available that can help make the injection experience more convenient and less stressful,” said Debbie Hicks, nurse consultant in diabetes at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust.
“In fact, once patients have made the sometimes difficult step to move onto injectable medicines, most people find that the process becomes second nature,” Hicks added.