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Overview: Trulicity is a GLP-1 agonist. It is used for type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death in people who also have heart disease. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and decreased appetite, especially when starting treatment. Contact your health care provider right away if you have severe stomach pain or other side effects that do not go away or feel severe.

Uses

What is Trulicity used for?

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Trulicity is used to lower the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Trulicity may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Trulicity work (mechanism of action)?

Trulicity works to improve blood sugar in 3 different ways. It works to stimulate your pancreas to release more insulin after you eat, prevents your liver from releasing stored sugars, and slows down the movement of food through your body.

How is Trulicity supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Trulicity

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg solution for injection in single-dose pens

How should I store Trulicity?

Trulicity injection liquid should be stored in its original carton, in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Unused Trulicity can be stored until the expiration date. If needed, Trulicity can be stored at room temperature up to 86 F (30 C) for up to 14 days. 

Store in a place that is not exposed to direct light and heat. Do not freeze. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Trulicity?

The most common side effects of Trulicity are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Decreased appetite

There may be other side effects of Trulicity that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Trulicity?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Trulicity are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Trulicity may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Trulicity and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Thyroid Tumors. Trulicity may cause thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be cancerous. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a thyroid tumor.

  • Swelling or a lump in your neck
  • Hoarseness
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Trouble breathing

Pancreatitis. Trulicity may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using Trulicity and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Trulicity can cause low blood sugar, especially when used with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Hypoglycemia can be serious and may lead to death. Your dose of insulin or other diabetes medicine may need to be lowered to decrease your risk of low blood sugar. Do not use Trulicity and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Kidney Damage.Kidney damage can happen when using Trulicity. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Trouble catching your breath
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Severe Stomach Problems. Severe stomach problems may happen with Trulicity. Call your health care provider if you have severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Vision Changes. Trulicity may cause your vision to worsen when you start using the medicine or start a higher dose. Tell your health care provider if you have new vision problems. If you have a condition called diabetic retinopathy, your vision may temporarily worsen when you start Trulicity or use a higher dose. Make sure that you keep all appointments to have your vision checked.

Gallbladder Problems. Using Trulicity can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Fever
  • Pain in your upper stomach area
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Trulicity?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Trulicity.

  • Dulaglutide
  • Trulicity
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Trulicity.

Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Trulicity should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your health care provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.

What should I know about Trulicity before using it?

Do not use Trulicity unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Trulicity with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Trulicity out of the reach of children. Since this medicine can be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated.

Review the Instructions for Use that come with your medicine when using Trulicity. If you have questions about how to use Trulicity, contact your health care provider. 

Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Trulicity by rotating where you inject it.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Trulicity?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Trulicity is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Upcoming Surgery or Procedures. Trulicity can slow the movement of food through your digestive system. If you have an upcoming surgery or procedure, tell your health care provider that you use Trulicity. Your risk of food getting into your lungs during anesthesia or sedation may be higher.

Vision Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have diabetic retinopathy or have had vision problems related to your diabetes. Your health care provider may check your vision while using Trulicity.

Stomach Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food. Your health care provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.

Pancreatitis. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had pancreatitis. Your health care provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.

Kidney Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have kidney problems, including long-term kidney failure, as this may worsen while using Trulicity. 

Other Medicines and Supplements. Trulicity may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Trulicity, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Trulicity could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Trulicity while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Trulicity passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Trulicity?

For more information about Trulicity, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.trulicity.lilly.com or call them at 800-LillyRx (800-545-5979).

Interactions

Does Trulicity interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Trulicity and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Trulicity, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of Trulicity. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does Trulicity interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Make sure that you discuss if you are using insulin or taking another type of medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide). These medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Trulicity works by slowing down the movement of food through your body. Because of this, Trulicity may affect the absorption of some other medicines that you take by mouth. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Trulicity. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Trulicity?

If you or someone else has used too much Trulicity, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Trulicity?

If you miss a dose of Trulicity, use it as soon as possible, as long as there are at least 3 days (72 hours) before your next dose is due. Moving forward, use Trulicity every 7 days. Do not use Trulicity with less than 72 hours between doses. If there are less than 72 hours before your next dose is due, skip your missed dose and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day.