Dulaglutide: Patient drug information

Warning

Drugs like this one have been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this drug may cause thyroid cancer in humans. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness that will not go away.
Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.

What is this drug used for?

It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
It is used to lower the chance of heart attack, stroke, and death in some people.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Type 1 diabetes or stomach or bowel problems.
If you have ever had pancreatitis.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
Kidney problems have happened with drugs like this one. Sometimes, the kidney problems have needed treatment in the hospital. Dialysis has also been needed. Talk with the doctor.
Tell your doctor if you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or too much sweating. Losing too much fluid may raise your chance of kidney problems.
If you are dehydrated, talk with your doctor.
This drug may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If you take other drugs by mouth, you may need to take them at some other time than this drug. Talk with your doctor.
Do not share pen or cartridge devices with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.
If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; fever with chills; bloating; or very upset stomach or throwing up.
Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
Change in eyesight.
Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
Decreased appetite.
Feeling tired or weak.
It is common to have diarrhea, upset stomach, throwing up, or stomach pain with this drug. Call your doctor if any of these side effects get very bad, bother you, or do not go away.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm.
If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
Be sure you know how to use this drug. Read the instructions for use that come with this drug. If there are no instructions for use or you have any questions about how to use this drug, talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
Take with or without food.
Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
Take the same day each week.
Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
Do not use if solution changes color.
Wash your hands before and after use.
Move site where you give the shot each time.
If you are also using insulin, you may inject this drug and the insulin in the same area of the body but not right next to each other.
Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with insulin.
Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is less than 3 days (72 hours) until your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose on your normal day.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Do not use if it has been frozen.
If needed, you may store at room temperature for up to 14 days. Write down the date you take this drug out of the refrigerator. If stored at room temperature and not used within 14 days, throw this drug away.
Store in the original container to protect from light.
Protect from heat.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.