Do you want to lose weight without starving yourself or sweating in the gym? Do you have type 2 diabetes or obesity and need to boost your health? If you nodded yes to any of these questions, you may want to check out a new medication called dulaglutide. It is a weekly injection that can help you slim down by copying a natural hormone that regulates your hunger and blood sugar levels. In this article, we will reveal everything you need to know about dulaglutide, how it works, what are its pros and cons, and how you can get it. Keep reading to discover how dulaglutide can help you reach your weight loss dreams.
How does dulaglutide work for weight loss?
Dulaglutide works by stimulating the receptors of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in different parts of the body, such as:
- The pancreas, which increases insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar levels after meals
- The liver, which reduces glucagon secretion and prevents the production of excess sugar
- The stomach, which slows down the emptying of food and makes you feel full longer
- The brain, which reduces appetite and food intake
- The muscles and fat cells, where increase energy expenditure and fat-burning
By doing these things, it can help you lose weight and lower your risk of developing diabetes complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
What are the benefits of dulaglutide for weight loss?
Several clinical trials have shown that dulaglutide can help people with obesity or overweight to lose weight and keep it off. Some of the benefits of dulaglutide for weight loss are:
-
Weight loss
It can help you lose up to 10% of your body weight in a year. For example, one study compared three doses of dulaglutide (1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, and 4.5 mg) with a placebo in 1,842 patients with type 2 diabetes and a mean BMI of 34.2 kg/m2. The results showed that all three doses of dulaglutide resulted in significant reductions in body weight from baseline at 36 weeks, with the highest dose (4.5 mg) achieving an average weight loss of around 5%. Another study compared dulaglutide (3.0 mg) with liraglutide (3.0 mg), another GLP-1 receptor agonist, in 1,231 patients with obesity or overweight without diabetes. The results showed that both drugs resulted in similar weight loss at 26 weeks, with an average of 8.5% for dulaglutide and 8.6% for liraglutide. However, dulaglutide had fewer gastrointestinal side effects than liraglutide. -
Diabetes control
It can lower your blood sugar levels and reduce your need for other diabetes medications. For example, one study showed that dulaglutide (1.5 mg or 0.75 mg) added to metformin improved glycemic control more than metformin alone or metformin plus glimepiride in 807 patients with type 2 diabetes. Another study showed that dulaglutide (1.5 mg) added to insulin glargine improved glycemic control more than insulin glargine alone or insulin glargine plus prandial insulin in 884 patients with type 2 diabetes. -
Cardiovascular protection
It can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. For example, one study showed that dulaglutide (1.5 mg) reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 12% compared to placebo in 9,901 patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors. -
Convenience
It is a once-weekly injection that you can administer yourself at home. You can choose any day of the week to take dulaglutide, but you should try to take it at the same time each week. Dulaglutide comes in a prefilled pen device that is easy to use and dispose of.
The table below summarizes some of the benefits of dulaglutide for weight loss:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | It can help you lose up to 10% of your body weight in a year |
| Diabetes control | It can lower your blood sugar levels and reduce your need for other diabetes medications |
| Cardiovascular protection | It can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke |
| Convenience | It is a once-weekly injection that you can administer yourself at home |
What are the risks of dulaglutide for weight loss?
Like any medication, dulaglutide may have some side effects and risks that you should be aware of before taking it. Some of the common side effects of dulaglutide include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
These side effects are usually mild and tend to decrease over time as your body gets used to the medication. However, if they persist or become severe, you should contact your doctor.
Some of the rare but serious side effects of dulaglutide include:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Thyroid cancer
- Allergic reactions
- Kidney problems
These side effects are very uncommon and may not be caused by dulaglutide alone. However, if you experience any symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, sweating, severe abdominal pain, swelling of the neck or throat, difficulty breathing, or changes in urine output or color, you should seek medical attention immediately.
It may also interact with some other medications or supplements that you are taking, such as insulin, sulfonylureas, warfarin, or herbal products. Therefore, you should always inform your doctor about all the medications and supplements that you are taking before starting dulaglutide.
How can you get it for weight loss?
It is a prescription medication that you can only get from your doctor. You will need to have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health problem, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. You will also need to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan along with taking dulaglutide to achieve the best results.
Your doctor will determine the best dose of dulaglutide for you based on your weight, blood sugar levels, and other factors. The usual starting dose is 0.75 mg once a week, which may be increased to 1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, or 4.5 mg depending on your response and tolerance. You will need to inject dulaglutide under the skin in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm using a prefilled pen device. Choose any day of the week to take dulaglutide, but you should try to take it at the same time each week.
You should not stop taking dulaglutide without consulting your doctor, as this may cause your blood sugar levels to rise or your weight to rebound. You should also monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and report any changes or concerns to your doctor.
Conclusion
Dulaglutide is a new option for weight loss that can help you lose weight and improve your health. It works by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. It is effective and safe in clinical trials, but it may also have some side effects and risks that you should be aware of. Dulaglutide is a prescription medication that you can only get from your doctor if you have type 2 diabetes or obesity or are overweight with at least one weight-related health problem. You will need to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan along with taking dulaglutide to achieve the best results.
If you are interested in trying dulaglutide for weight loss, you should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of this medication and whether it is suitable for you. Dulaglutide may be the solution you are looking for to lose weight and improve your health.
