Is the efficacy of dulaglutide impacted by gender or disease features in type 2 diabetes?

This study investigated if dulaglutide is a safe and effective medication for the treatments of type 2 diabetes. They found that dulaglutide effectively improved blood glucose control regardless of gender or disease duration. 

Management of blood glucose (sugar) levels is important in type 2 diabetes. To do this, there many medications that act in different ways to reduce blood glucose. One type of medication that is useful are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring compound in the intestine that reduces blood glucose.

GLP-1 receptor agonists act by stimulating the GLP-1 receptor in a similar way to the natural peptide GLP-1. Dulaglutide is a new GLP-1 receptor agonist that is administered once weekly.

This study investigated the safety and efficacy of dulaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes.

5470 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in seven studies. Patients were assigned to either dulaglutide (0.75 mg or 1.5 mg once weekly), placebo (substance with no active effect) or other anti-diabetic medications. The safety and effectiveness was evaluated. Other factors examined included gender, duration of diabetes and baseline blood sugar control over 3 months (HbA1c levels).

Dulaglutide was effective at reducing HbA1c levels. There were no significant differences between male (decrease of 1.26%) or females (decrease of 1.32%) in the effectiveness of dulaglutide. Dulaglutide caused a greater reduction in HbA1c in patients with a higher HbA1c level at baseline (greater than 8.5%). The effectiveness of dulaglutide was similar in patients across all disease durations (less than 5 years, 5-10 years, greater than 10 years). 

This study concluded that dulaglutide effectively improves blood glucose control regardless of gender or disease duration.

Some gastrointestinal side effects were experienced by patients taking dulaglutide. Females generally had a greater number of incidences of nausea and vomiting. This study was sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.

If you have any issues with diabetes management please discuss treatment options with your doctor.