Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Dulaglutide is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. The molecule is a fusion protein that consists of 2 identical, disulfide-linked chains, each containing an N-terminal GLP-1 analog sequence covalently linked to the Fc portion of a modified human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) heavy chain by a small peptide linker and is produced using mammalian cell (Chinese...
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action TRULICITY contains dulaglutide, which is a human GLP-1 receptor agonist with 90% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1 (7-37). Dulaglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor, a membrane-bound cell-surface receptor coupled to adenylyl cyclase in pancreatic beta cells. Dulaglutide increases intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) in beta cells leading to glucose-dependent insulin release. Dulaglutide also decreases glucagon secretion and slows gastric emptying. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics TRULICITY lowers fasting glucose and reduces postprandial glucose (PPG) concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The reduction in fasting and postprandial glucose can be observed after a single dose.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE TRULICITY ® is indicated: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Common Doses
- 0.75 mg
- 1.5 mg
- 4.5 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adult Dosage ( 2.1 ) Recommended starting dosage is 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. Increase dosage to 1.5 mg once weekly for additional glycemic control. If additional glycemic control is needed, increase dosage in 1.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dosage. Maximum recommended dosage is 4.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. Pediatric Dosage ( 2.2 ) Recommended starting dosage is 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. If additional glycemic control is needed, increase dosage to the maximum recommended dosage of 1.
Black Box Warning
WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS In male and female rats, dulaglutide causes a dose-related and treatment-duration-dependent increase in the incidence of thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) after lifetime exposure. It is unknown whether TRULICITY causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as human relevance of dulaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), and Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] .
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS TRULICITY is contraindicated in patients with: Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or to any of the product components. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported with TRULICITY [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] .
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information: Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Acute Kidney Injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Severe Gastrointestinal Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Oral Medications: Delays gastric emptying and has the potential to reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications ( 7.1 , 12.3 ). 7.1 Oral Medications TRULICITY delays gastric emptying and thus has the potential to reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. The delay in gastric emptying is dose-dependent but is attenuated with the recommended dose escalation to higher doses of TRULICITY [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . The delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes with subsequent doses.