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Trulicity®

Trulicity® mimics GLP-1 in the body and delays gastric emptying, helping you feel fuller longer and reducing appetite. Minimizing blood sugar levels also reduces appetite.

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Medication name

dulaglutide

Conditions FDA-approved to treat

Type 2 Diabetes

Benefits for weight loss

Regulate insulin

Balance blood sugar

Reduce appetite

Everything you need to know

  • How it works

    This medication is part of a class of medications called Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1s) which can help you feel fuller and helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. They can also help with cravings and appetite and have been found to be very effective for weight loss. Trulicity® is FDA-approved for the treatment of type II diabetes and to decrease the risk of cardiac complications in adults with type II diabetes and in those who have heart disease.

  • Form and dosing

    Trulicity® comes in an injection given at doses which start at 0.75 mg once weekly. Dosing instructions vary according to weight, tolerability, other factors, and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

  • Common side effects

    Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and dizziness.

What are doctors saying?

Although Trulicity® is not a weight-loss drug, people taking it may lose weight. This is because of how it works in the body. In a clinical study, people who took Trulicity® for 26 weeks lost 3 to 5 pounds. In comparison, people who took another diabetes drug called metformin lost about 5 pounds. If you take Trulicity® with other diabetes drugs, the amount of weight you lose may vary depending on the specific drugs you’re taking.

— Mayo Clinic

How exactly do GLP-1s work?

Here’s a closer look, plus answers to all your questions with Dr. Rekha Kumar:

What are GLP-1s?

Do you need to take GLP-1s for the rest of your life?

Does Found cover the cost of GLP-1s?

What is the Mounjaro® coupon and what does it mean if it's expiring?

Is it safe to inject GLP-1s yourself?

I’m on week 3 of taking Ozempic, how long does it take to work?

Can I be on a GLP-1 if I’m pregnant?

Is compounded semaglutide safe?

Do you need to take GLP-1s for the rest of your life?

Is it safe to inject GLP-1s yourself?

Can I be on a GLP-1 if I’m pregnant?

Is compounded semaglutide safe?

Do you need to take GLP-1s for the rest of your life?

What is the Mounjaro® coupon and what does it mean if it's expiring?

Does Found cover the cost of GLP-1s?

Still have questions?

Visit our FAQs or reach out to your clinical team.

Medical Disclaimers

Trulicity® is only FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Medication prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion and may not be appropriate for everyone.

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Trulicity® warnings

BLACK BOX WARNING:

GLP-1s are contraindicated in individuals with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, a family history of such, or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Do not take them if you have ever had thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, GLP-1s caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer; it is not known if they will cause thyroid tumors or cancer in humans. Please notify your doctor ASAP if you develop trouble swallowing, hoarseness, a lump or swelling in your neck, or shortness of breath. 

If you experience a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Tell your healthcare provider about your medical history prior to taking Trulicity.

Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. If you’re taking diabetes medications, please discuss this with your prescribing doctor before starting Trulicity, as your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted as you lose weight.

Use adequate contraception while taking this medication. Do not take this medication if pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. If you plan to become pregnant, this medication needs to be stopped at least 2 months before trying. This medication may cause fetal harm.

Notify your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or pancreas problems.

Stop using Trulicity and call your healthcare provider immediately if you have severe stomach or abdomen pain that will not go away, with or without vomiting.

Stop using Trulicity and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat.

Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis and angioedema) have been reported. Discontinue Trulicity if suspected and promptly seek medical advice.

WARNING

Please contact your doctor ASAP and seek in-person care immediately if a side effect becomes problematic or you experience:

  • Severe nausea and/or vomiting resulting in dehydration-  it is important to stay well hydrated and drink plenty of fluids while on this medication 
  • Kidney problems/kidney failure - vomiting, nausea, diarrhea can cause dehydration and kidney issues and make kidney problems worse in individuals who have pre-existing kidney conditions; may sometimes lead to the need for hemodialysis 
  • Thyroid C-Cell Tumor: Trouble swallowing, hoarseness, a lump or swelling in your neck, or shortness of breath (see black box warning below)
  • Pancreatitis: Severe pain in your abdomen or back that will not go away 
  • Acute gallbladder disease - Pain in the middle or right upper stomach, fever, white parts of your eyes turn yellow or skin turns yellow, nausea/vomiting. if gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder is suspected further studies are needed.
  • Hepatitis/Elevated liver enzymes/Jaundice
  • Diabetic retinopathy problems: Changes in vision in those with type II diabetes, particularly vision problems may worsen in those with a history of diabetic retinopathy 
  • Severe gastrointestinal disease - may cause gastrointestinal disease; do not use if you have a history of severe gastrointestinal disease 
  • Signs of low blood sugar (for example, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, jitteriness, headache, anxiety/mood changes, rapid heartbeat, confusion, slurred speech, sweating, or lightheadedness). While this is rare with GLP-1s, if it occurs, please seek in-person care immediately. If you have these symptoms, try having liquid or food containing sugar (around 15-20 grams) —drinking juice, having regular soda, or eating some hard candies right away, as this will help raise your blood sugar quickly. If taken with insulin or an insulin secretagogue (ie sulfonylurea) it is best to talk to your healthcare provider about possibly lowering the dose of these medications to lower the risk of hypoglycemia. 
  • Increasing heart rate
  • Worsening depression, behavior changes, or suicidality
  • Note: Never share the Trulicity pen with other people

Side effects information

Many people experience no side effects. Some of the most common or potential side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Headache
  • Indigestion 
  • Injection site reactions
  • Dizziness
  • Back pain
  • Increased Lipase or Amylase 
  • Altered taste
  • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
  • Passing Gas
  • Bloating
  • Belching
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Decreased appetite 
  • Fatigue
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in those with type II diabetes
  • Upset stomach

These symptoms often subside as your body adjusts to the medications. Please notify your provider if side effects persist. For a complete list of side effects, review the medication packaging inserts.

Drug interactions

As with other medications, Trulicity can interact with alcohol and certain prescription and non-prescription medications and herbal products. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylureas. Trulicity delays gastric emptying and may impact the absorption of oral medications. If you are on thyroid hormone medication, prior to starting Trulicity, please review the timing of taking your thyroid hormone medication with the doctor who prescribes it as it may need to be adjusted.The drug levels of medications with narrow therapeutic windows (ie warfarin) should be monitored closely while on Trulicity. 

Please consult the pharmaceutical packaging for a full list of side effects, warnings, interactions and additional information. 

To report suspected adverse reactions to Trulicity contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In case of emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.