In a nutshell
The main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of dulaglutide (Trulicity) compared to liraglutide (Victoza) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The authors concluded that once-weekly treatment with dulaglutide was an effective and safe treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. It also resulted in better blood sugar control compared to once-daily liraglutide treatment.
Some background
Patients with type 2 diabetes generally need medications to help them lower blood sugar levels. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a common type of glucose-lowering treatment. They work by increasing insulin secretion (the hormone needed to break down the sugar taken in from food). Dulaglutide and liraglutide are examples of long-acting GLP-1 RAs.
Dulaglutide is injected once a week. It is typically given when other diabetes medications have failed. Liraglutide is injected once daily. Both medications can be administered as a single therapy without additional diabetes medications. Further studies are needed to determine the benefits of each treatment as a single therapy.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of dulaglutide and liraglutide in type 2 diabetes patients.
492 patients were included in this 52-week randomized study. 281 patients were treated with dulaglutide. 141 patients were treated with liraglutide.
HbA1c levels (measurement of blood sugar levels over the past three months) decreased in both treatment groups. Dulaglutide significantly reduced HbA1c levels compared to liraglutide. The number of patients who achieved target HbA1c levels (less than 7% in dulaglutide and less than 6.5% with liraglutide) was similar between both groups. Patients treated with dulaglutide experienced a significant decrease in pre- and post-dinner blood sugar levels compared to liraglutide. Average blood pressure increased with dulaglutide and decreased with liraglutide.
The most common side effects to treatment were constipation, nausea, diarrhea and inflammation of the nasal passages. 2.9% of dulaglutide patients and 2.9% of liraglutide patients experienced low blood sugar events. No event was severe.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that once-weekly treatment with dulaglutide was an effective and safe treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. It also resulted in better blood sugar control compared to once-daily liraglutide treatment.
The fine print
This study was funded by Eli Lilly Japan K.K.
Published By :
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date :
Feb 05, 2016
