Lilly's Trulicity label update allows use with basal insulin

An update to its label means US pharma major Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) diabetes drug Trulicity (dulaglutide) is the first and only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that can be used in combination with mealtime insulin or basal insulin.

Trulicity was first approved in September 2014 as a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the label to include use of the drug in combination with basal insulin.

Sherry Martin, head of global medical affairs at Lilly Diabetes, said: “Despite best efforts to manage their A1C, many adults with type 2 diabetes may need to add to or change their treatment plan to help them reach their blood sugar goals.