Trulicity Side Effects: Common, Serious, & Long-term

What Is Trulicity (Dulaglutide) & How Is it Used?

Trulicity, with the active ingredient dulaglutide, is an injectable medication that is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in patients aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of serious heart issues in adults who have type 2 diabetes. Trulicity is only available as a brand-name medication and is not available as a generic.

Trulicity works to increase the amount of active insulin released into the body. It also works to slow the stomach down and delay gastric emptying time. These two mechanisms work together to lower blood sugar in the body and cause patients to feel full sooner, leading to lower caloric intake. ¹ Trulicity is taken once weekly as an injection under the skin of the abdomen, thighs, or hips.

Trulicity is not currently FDA-approved to be used as a weight loss medication. If your doctor recommends the use of Trulicity for weight loss, it will be an off-label use. An off-label use is when a healthcare professional prescribes a medication based on their judgment.¹

How Does Trulicity Make You Feel?

After treatment with Trulicity has started, many patients report feeling different. Some common changes include a feeling of fullness sooner when eating and an overall smaller appetite. Many patients may also feel nauseous or have indigestion.

Common Side Effects of Trulicity

Taking Trulicity comes with the risk of side effects throughout treatment. Knowing some of the most common side effects can be helpful as you start with injections. Many common side effects of Trulicity are related to the gastrointestinal or GI tract. Keep track of side effects you experience to alert your prescriber. If side effects worsen or do not go away on their own, reach out to your medical care team.

Common side effects of Trulicity include:¹

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite
• indigestion
• Fatigue
• Low blood sugar

*All medications, including Trulicity, can cause side effects which can be mild or serious. This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. You should talk with your doctor about any questions you have and to understand the potential side effects and benefits of any medication.

Serious Side Effects of Trulicity

Taking Trulicity can put patients at risk of experiencing serious and life-threatening side effects. Identifying a serious side effect early can allow a patient to seek medical care right away. If you believe you are experiencing a serious side effect from Trulicity, call 911 or seek emergency medical help. Some Trulicity serious side effects relate to the pancreas, the kidneys, and blood sugar levels in the body.

Serious side effects of Trulicity include:¹

• Risk of thyroid tumors
• Pancreatitis
• Severely low blood sugar
• Acute kidney injury
• Severe gastrointestinal disease
• Diabetic retinopathy complications
• Acute gallbladder disease

*All medications, including Trulicity, can cause side effects which can be mild or serious. This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. You should talk with your doctor about any questions you have and to understand the potential side effects and benefits of any medication.

Trulicity Long-Term Side Effects

Taking any medication long-term can increase the likelihood of experiencing side effects from that medication. Taking Trulicity long-term can lead to an increased risk of side effects, both common and severe. Trulicity is known to cause many changes in levels of labs that may be signs of organ damage or the development of certain cancers. If you plan to take Trulicity long-term, you should be sure to have routine checkups with your prescriber to monitor for safe use.¹

Trulicity Warnings & Precautions

There are many warnings that come along with taking Trulicity. Discuss these warnings with your doctor prior to starting treatment with Trulicity. If any of the following warnings pertain to you, Trulicity may not be right for you. If you and your doctor determine Trulicity is still a good treatment option, you may require special dosing, close monitoring, or adjustment of other medications.¹

Warnings and precautions for taking Trulicity address people with:¹

• Increased risk of thyroid tumors: Trulicity can increase the risk for thyroid tumors, a specific type of cancer. If you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), you should not take Trulicity.
• Increased risk of pancreatitis: Pancreatitis can occur after starting treatment with Trulicity and can be dangerous if not treated. All patients taking Trulicity should watch for symptoms that include serious abdominal pain radiating from the back and vomiting.
• Hypoglycemia: Patients taking Trulicity are at risk for low blood sugar, especially if they take other blood sugar-lowering drugs. Tell your doctor all medications you currently take and look for signs of low blood sugar, including dizziness, fainting, and increased heart rate.
• Acute kidney injury: It has been reported that Trulicity can cause or worsen renal failure, and special care should be taken for patients with known kidney disease. Look for symptoms that could worsen renal function during treatment, like vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration.
• History of gastrointestinal (GI) disease: If you have a history of gastrointestinal issues, Trulicity may not be a safe option for you. Make sure to discuss your health history with your prescriber.
• Diabetic retinopathy complications: In diabetic patients already diagnosed with retinopathy, worsening of symptoms can occur when blood sugar levels are improved. When starting Trulicity, monitor for signs of worsening diabetic retinopathy.
• Acute gallbladder disease: The risk of acute gallbladder disease is increased when taking Trulicity. Monitor for signs of gallbladder stones or cysts and seek care right away if suspected.

Allergic Reactions to Trulicity

Allergic reactions to any medication, including Trulicity, can range from mild discomfort to severe life-threatening episodes. Recognizing what an allergic reaction looks like can help know when to seek immediate medical help. If ever you or someone you know has swelling of the throat or trouble breathing, call 911 right away.

Injectable medications like Trulicity also have a risk for localized inject site reactions. This can include swelling, itchiness, or discomfort around the site of injection. Monitor for signs of this reaction and always rotate the site of injection each time.¹

Allergic reactions to Trulicity include:¹

• Swelling of the throat
• Itchiness
• Rash
• Low blood pressure
• Localized swelling or pain

If you suspect an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately. Difficulty breathing and closing of the throat can happen quickly and require immediate medical attention. If you suspect a rash or inject site reaction is happening due to Trulicity, call your prescriber right away for further direction.

Interactions That May Exacerbate Trulicity Side Effects

There are certain medications that may increase the risk of Trulicity side effects. If you take other medications with similar side effects risk, you may see an increase in the severity of those side effects. For example, if you take medications that affect your appetite or cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, you may be more likely to experience these symptoms while taking Trulicity.

An important interaction to be aware of while taking Trulicity is any medication that lowers blood glucose levels. The main medications included in this category are sulfonylureas and insulins. Always tell your prescriber all medications you are currently prescribed. Taking Trulicity and a blood glucose-lowering agent at the same time can increase your risk of having dangerously low blood sugar.¹

Trulicity also has the potential to interfere with any medications you take by mouth since it slows gastric emptying. Talk with your prescriber about all oral medications you are taking to learn if your dosage or how you take the medication needs to be adjusted.

Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list of the possible interactions with Trulicity. You should talk with your healthcare provider and your pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements you take before starting Trulicity.

How to Manage Trulicity Side Effects

Many of the common side effects caused by Trulicity can be managed with over-the-counter treatments, lifestyle changes, or additional medications prescribed by your doctor. Before starting your Trulicity injections, create a plan with your prescriber on how to manage potential side effects. Properly managing side effects can help to continue therapy and improve your quality of life.

Nausea and/or Vomiting

Many remedies can help manage nausea and vomiting. Eating foods that are familiar and bland can help reduce feelings of nausea. In addition, over-the-counter anti-nausea medications like diphenhydramine, meclizine, doxylamine, and vitamin B-6 can also help. Be sure to follow the directions on packages and be aware that some nausea medications may cause drowsiness. Finally, your doctor may prescribe you stronger antinausea agents that are prescription only. Be sure to follow your prescriber’s directions exactly.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a side effect that should always be taken seriously and treated promptly. Properly hydrating with electrolyte-balanced drinks is vital while you are experiencing loose stools. In addition, over the counter antidiarrheal medication like imodium can help to solidify stools. If diarrhea does not improve or worsens within a day, you should contact your prescriber. In addition, if you notice any blood in your stool or you have a fever along with diarrhea, seek help right away.

Fatigue

Trulicity can cause fatigue, which can make normal activities more challenging. Methods for combat fatigue include getting enough quality sleep, sticking to a well-balanced diet, and staying away from energy drinks, as they can cause a crashing feeling. If you feel fatigue is causing your professional or social life to suffer, work with your doctor to adjust or change your treatment.

Side effects are different for each person, and specific recommendations may not be safe or work for everyone. The best way to manage side effects from Trulicity is to always be in touch with your healthcare team. They can help recommend changes or treatments and will help to detect and treat more serious side effects. Keep a journal about how you feel each day and note things like appetite, bowel movements, changes in sleep, etc.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Trulicity Side Effects

Spending time with your healthcare team before starting Trulicity is essential. You can ask questions, disclose your health history, and ensure you fully understand the potential side effects of taking Trulicity. Knowing what to expect and what side effects require follow-up health care is crucial to staying safe while taking Trulicity.

Questions to ask your care team about Trulicity side effects:

• How long will it take for me to adjust to taking Trulicity?
• Am I at risk for more serious symptoms if I am already taking other medications?
• What is the best dosage to ensure fewer side effects?
• What can I do to help with nausea and vomiting?
• When should I seek help if my diarrhea is not stopping?
• Should I change my diet while taking Trulicity?
• Should my insulin dose change now that I am taking Trulicity?
• How often will my dose of Trulicity change?
• I want to stop taking Trulicity, how should I stop?
• What is hypoglycemia?
• My pharmacy tells me they don’t always have Trulicity in stock, should I skip weeks if there are delays at my pharmacy?
• I have never used an injectable medication before, who can assist with injection education?
• What are the side effects of other medications used for weight loss, such as Wegovy or Saxenda?
• How does Trulicity compare to Ozempic?