Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-Filled Pen

Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-Filled Pen is an anti- diabetic medicine. It contains dulaglutide as an active ingredient.

It is used for controlling blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes along with diet and lifestyle modification. It can be used by individuals aged 10 and above. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with type 2 diabetes with heart conditions.

It works by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, thereby helping reduce blood sugar. The dosage of Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-Filled Pen will depend on your specific condition and whether you are taking other diabetes medications.

You may use it at any time of day, with or without food; however, it is advisable to use it on the same day each week to maximize its effectiveness. Your doctor or nurse will instruct you on how and where to inject the medicine, so be sure to follow their instructions carefully. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor, as this could result in increased blood glucose levels and expose you to serious complications.

Aplevant should be used alongside an appropriate diet and exercise plan to help control high blood glucose. Store the Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-Filled Pen in the refrigerator until you need it; do not freeze it.

The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. It can also lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly if you are taking other medications to lower blood sugar. Be sure to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia and know how to manage it.

Before using this medication, discuss with your doctor if you have a history of liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, or any stomach issues. Inform your doctor about any other medications you may be taking that could interact with this medicine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor to determine if it is safe for you to use Aplevant 0.

75mg Pre-Filled Pen.

Dosage

Overdose

• Excess insulin will lead to low blood sugar levels, called hypoglycemia
• Symptoms like dizziness, fainting, sweating and tremors may be seen
• If you have the blood glucometer with you, test immediately and confirm
• Whether or not you test your levels, it is important to take some glucose water/juice/eat sugar or chocolates immediately and then rush to your doctor.

Missed a Dose

• Missed dose may lead to high blood sugar levels which can cause symptoms like feeling thirsty, excessive urination, loss of appetite, drowsiness, fruity smell from breath, etc.
• If you missed any dose of medicine take it as soon as you remember
• If it's time for your next dose then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule
• Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate the missed one as taking double dose can cause a drastic fall in blood glucose which can be dangerous.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Insulin is crucial to allow entry of blood glucose into each cell of the body
• Inside the cell, this glucose is used as fuel
• In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the body fails to produce adequate insulin
• This leads to glucose accumulating in the blood and cause high blood glucose
• This medicine lowers blood sugars by stimulating glucose uptake by cells, tissue and muscles, especially by skeletal muscles and fat and by inhibiting glucose production by the liver.

Directions for Use

• Take this injection as per the technique suggested by your doctor or nurse
• This injection is to be taken under the skin of the thigh or upper arm or abdomen
• Do not take this injection in vein or in muscles
• Pull a skin, fold up to take this injection
• Wait for at least 6 sec before removing the needle from the injection site
• Always rotate the site of injection, do not take concurrent injections at the same site.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Aplevant 0.75mg Pre Filled Pen Of 0.5ml Solution For Injection (Pack Of 2) during pregnancy?

• This medicine can be used during pregnancy if your doctor recommends
• However, close monitoring of blood sugar levels is suggested as the dose requirements may change with each trimester of pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Aplevant 0.75mg Pre Filled Pen Of 0.5ml Solution For Injection (Pack Of 2) while breastfeeding?

You can use this while you are breastfeeding.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Aplevant 0.75mg Pre Filled Pen Of 0.5ml Solution For Injection (Pack Of 2)?

• Insulin is known to cause low blood sugar levels and these can lead to impairment in your driving ability
• Always keep sugar or a bar of chocolate in your car with you while driving
• In case you experience any of the symptoms of low blood glucose levels like dizziness, drowsiness, visual disturbances and sweating, stop driving immediately and have sugar/ juice.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Aplevant 0.75mg Pre Filled Pen Of 0.5ml Solution For Injection (Pack Of 2)?

• It is advisable not to consume alcohol when you are taking this medicine as it interferes with the way insulin works
• Consumption of alcohol may lead to an increased risk of both low blood glucose level and high blood glucose level
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol while taking insulin.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have recurrent low blood sugar levels
• Be very careful about symptoms of low blood sugar like sweating, anxiety, fast heartbeat, headache, intense hunger, restlessness, dizziness, irritability. If you experience these, immediately have sugar (Do not consume artificial sweeteners). Eat something as soon as possible. Do not take insulin in such a scenario. If still the symptoms persists, seek emergency medical help
• You have frequent fever and infections
• You have diseases related to liver and kidney
• You have thyroid disorders
• You are switching to different insulin medicine brand
• You have pain, itching and swelling at the injection site, you should continuously change the site of injection
• Avoid doing heavy exercise
• You are planning to change your diet preferences
• You should always carry sugar candy with you
• You are taking insulin but not taking adequate meals, your blood glucose can drop drastically.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to insulin or any of the ingredients of this medicine
• If you are suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level).

Side effects

• Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Tiredness
• Feeling hungry
• Visual disturbances
• Headache
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Pale skin
• Skin rashes
• Pain, redness, swelling at injection site.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• You may have symptoms of low blood sugar if you are taking other medicines for diabetes, depression (fluoxetine), medicines for fever and pain (salicylates), ramipril, lisinopril
• You may have high blood sugar if you are taking oral contraceptives, thiazide, steroids, thyroxine, medicines used to treat severe diarrhoea and abnormal growth of body organs like octreotide, lanreotide
• If you are taking a medicine pioglitazone to treat diabetes, be cautious, as some cases of heart attack and heart failure have been reported
• Some medicines block your body's response to low blood sugar, so you may not experience symptoms like headache, hunger pangs, sweating, anxiety when your blood sugar drops. This can lead to a serious fall in blood sugar. Inform your doctor if you are on medicines like Betablockers (Metoprolol, Propranolol, Atenolol), Clonidine, Guanethidine and Reserpine.

Interactions with food items

• This medicine is to be taken 15 mins before meals or after meals
• Maintaining a constant meal pattern is advisable when you are taking insulin
• Avoid skipping or delaying meals when you are taking insulin.

Storage and disposal

• Store between 2°C to 8°C in the refrigerator
• Do not freeze it
• Keep it out of the reach of children
• Do not open the carton of vials to protect it from light
• Any unused portion should not be stored and should be appropriately discarded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What food items I should avoid, as I'm a diabetic?

• Avoid maida, white bread, noodles, corn flakes, poori, biryani, naan, fried rice, etc.
• Avoid seetaphal, mango, jack fruit, fruit salads with ice cream, fruit-based desserts
• Avoid cheese, milkshakes, ice creams
• Try to avoid pork, beef, soft drinks, sugarcane juice, sweetened health drinks and beverages.

Can I stop taking Aplevant 0.75mg Pre Filled Pen Of 0.5ml Solution For Injection (Pack Of 2) if I am feeling uncomfortable after taking this medicine?

No, you can not stop taking your insulin without speaking with a doctor. It may lead to high blood sugar levels and may worsen your disease condition and land you in complications. In case of side effects or discomfort, talk to your doctor. You may need dose adjustment.

Why should I always change the site for taking this injection?

Taking injection at the same site may lead to a lump formation, local irritation and itching. Thus it is advisable not to take injections at the same site or maintain a gap of at least one day.

What other lifestyle modifications I need to consider to manage diabetes?

• Diet should include chapatis, multigrain bread, puffed rice with vegetables, sprouts, roasted grams, plain cooked daal, soups, steamed vegetables, cooked vegetables with less oil, Jamun, orange, guava, apple, watermelon, papaya, cow’s milk, curd, thin buttermilk, fish (grilled, baked or steamed), peanuts, cashew nuts and walnuts(handful).
• Limit sugar intake
• Brisk walk daily for 30 minutes
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor your blood glucose regularly
• Take your anti-diabetic medication on time.

I develop low blood sugar levels often, what could be the possible reasons?

• Risk factors for developing low blood glucose levels include taking too much insulin, not taking adequate meals or missing meals, too much alcohol consumption, fever and too much exercise
• Some medicines, when used with insulin can result in such episodes like other diabetes medicine glimepiride, medicines used for fever and pain (salicylates), ramipril, etc.
• Report to your doctor about these episodes. You may need a dose of adjustment.

Does the Aplevant 0.75mg Prefilled Pen need to be refrigerated during travel?

Ideally, yes. For long-term storage, keep it between 36°F and 46°F (2°C–8°C). However, for travel, a pen can stay at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 14 days.

Is Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen the same as insulin?

No. While both are used in diabetes, they work differently. Insulin is a hormone that replaces what your body cannot make. Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps your pancreas release insulin more effectively when blood sugar is high. Because of this, the Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen is typically administered once weekly, whereas insulin is often administered daily.

What is Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen?

Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen is an injection containing the anti-diabetic medicine dulaglutide. It is used to control elevated blood sugar levels along with diet and lifestyle modifications.

Can I use Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen for weight loss?

No. Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen is an antidiabetic medication and should not be used for weight loss. It does not affect weight reduction. You should never use medicines used for serious health conditions for any purpose other than what they are prescribed for.

Where can I take Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen?

Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen can be taken subcutaneously in the abdomen, in the thigh, or in the upper arm. You should change the injection site after every injection.

What should I do if the liquid in my Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen looks cloudy?

Do not use the pen. The solution inside should always be clear and colorless. If you notice any cloudiness, change in color, or visible particles floating in the liquid, discard that pen and use a new one. Using a "spoiled" pen may not provide the correct dose.

Can I use the same Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen for my next weekly dose?

No. Each Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen is designed for a single use only. It contains exactly one dose of medication. Once you have pressed the button and received the injection, the pen is empty and should be disposed of in a puncture-resistant "sharps" container.

Can I change the day of the week that I take my Aplevant 0.75mg Pre-filled Pen?

Yes, you can change your "injection day" if necessary, as long as your last dose was taken at least 3 days (72 hours) prior. For example, if you usually take it on Monday but want to switch to Thursday, ensure 72 hours have passed since that Monday dose before starting the new Thursday schedule.