title: Dulaglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are injectable agents used for the treatment of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. The interest for this pharmacological class is rising with the development of once weekly compounds and the demonstration of a potential reduction in cardiorenal outcomes. Areas covered: The paper describes the main pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics of dulaglutide, a new once-weekly GLP-1 RA. Dulaglutide was extensively investigated in the phase-3 AWARD program, which demonstrated its safety and efficacy when compared to placebo or active glucose-lowering agents in patients treated with diet alone, metformin or sulfonylurea monotherapy, oral dual therapies and basal insulin. In both Caucasian and Japanese patients, comparative trials showed better glucose control with dulaglutide, with a minimal risk of hypoglycemia and weight loss, but at the expense of an increased dropout rate due to side effects, mostly transient gastrointestinal disturbances. Dulaglutide proved its non-inferiority versus liraglutide and the safety and tolerance profile is similar to that of other GLP-1 RAs. Expert opinion: The once-weekly formulation and the combined positive effects on both glucose control and weight improves patient satisfaction despite nausea. Dulaglutide must prove its capacity to reduce cardiovascular and diabetic complications in the ongoing prospective REWIND trial.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine , CHU Liege , Liège , Belgium.|b Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM) , University of Liège , Liège , Belgium.
authors.forename: André J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scheen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / Q000276:immunology; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D007328:Insulin / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007328:Insulin; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; C555680:dulaglutide
keywords: Dulaglutide; GLP-1 receptor agonist; clinical trial; insulin secretion; once weekly injection; therapy; type 2 diabetes