Trulicity (dulaglutide) might not be right for everyone. Additionally, some people with type 2 diabetes may need additional medication(s) and/or treatment(s) to treat their condition. If you are concerned that Trulicity is not right for you and a different medication or additional types of treatments might be better for your health, talk with your prescribing physician. There are alternative medications and treatments available.
Please note the following list is not complete, and treatment will look different for everyone.
Different Medicines
GLP-1 Agonists
Trulicity is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist, meaning it works to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, as well as promote healthy weight loss. Trulicity, however, may not work for everyone, especially if there are certain underlying medical conditions (please visit our medication page for Trulicity to learn more about who should not use this drug).
Mayo Clinic outlines various alternative types of (GLP-1) agonists for people looking for an alternative to Trulicity, including:
- Exenatide extended release (Bydureon): an injection taken once/week
- Exenatide (Byetta): an injection taken twice/day
- Semaglutide (Ozempic): an injection taken once/week
- Semaglutide (Rybelsus): tablet taken once/week
- Liraglutide (Victoza): an injection taken once/day
- Lixisenatide (Adlyxin): an injection taken once/day
Side effects and present medical conditions are two factors that may determine which of these prescription medications would work best for a person with type 2 diabetes. Please note this list is not complete, and it is critical to talk about all potential treatment options with your prescribing physician.
Types of “Statin” Medications
Statins are a class of drugs that helps lower lipids in patients with various cardiovascular diseases. In type 2 diabetes, statin can prevent heart attacks and lower cholesterol, according to Mayo Clinic.
Examples of Statin medications include:
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Fluvastatin (Lescol XL)
- Lovastatin (Altoprev)
- Pitavastatin (Livalo)
Please note this list is not complete.
Insulin
Before taking insulin, talk with your physician about the best time to start, as well as the safest dose and if you need additional medication(s) and/or treatment(s).
Non-Prescription Treatments
In addition to prescription medications, it is important for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus to ensure they maintain a healthy diet and weight, especially to keep their blood glucose levels healthy.
A Well-Balanced Diet
A healthy diet includes foods such as:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Lean-protein foods, including beans, fish, poultry, tofu
- Low-carb and low-fat foods
- High-fiber foods
Exercise
Maintaining a healthy weight can be achieved through frequent, regular exercise. Most doctors will suggest aiming for about 30 minutes of exercise per day. This may include:
- Running or jogging
- Walking or hiking
- Biking
- Swimming
It is important to always talk with your physician about the best exercise options for you, based on your individual health needs.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
