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 healthcare 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)?
Trulicity is available in the following dosage forms that are injected under the skin.
- 0.75 mg solution for injection, single-dose pens
- 1.5 mg solution for injection, single-dose pens
- 3 mg solution for injection, single-dose pens
- 4.5 mg solution for injection, single-dose pens
How should I store Trulicity?
Trulicity injection liquid should be stored in its original carton, in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 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 healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Decreased appetite
There may be other side effects of Trulicity that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare 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. 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, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Thyroid Tumors. Trulicity may cause you to develop thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be cancerous. Tell your healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Severe Stomach Problems. Severe stomach problems may happen with Trulicity. Call your healthcare 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 healthcare provider if you develop 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 healthcare 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
Trulicity is not used for type 1 diabetes.
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 healthcare provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.
What should I know about Trulicity before using it?
Review the Instructions for Use that come with your medicine when using Trulicity for the first time or when you have not used it in a while.
Do not use Trulicity unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare 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.
Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Trulicity by rotating where you inject it.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Trulicity?
Tell your healthcare 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 determine if Trulicity is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diabetic retinopathy, as this may worsen while using Trulicity.
Stomach problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.
Pancreatitis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had pancreatitis. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.
Kidney Problems. Tell your healthcare 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 taking Trulicity, tell your healthcare 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 an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you 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 healthcare 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 manufacturer’s website at https://trulicity.lilly.com/ or call them at 844-TRU-INFO (844-878-4636).
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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare provider.
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.
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