Trulicity Diarrhea: How Common, How Long It Lasts
Yes. In the Trulicity trials, 12.6% of people on 1.5 mg had diarrhea, against 6.7% on placebo: about 2 times the placebo rate. It is the third most common side effect in that table. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- In the Trulicity label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Trulicity 1.5 mg
- 12.6%
- On placebo
- 6.7%
- Rank in the label table
- 3 of 7
Trulicity overview
The half-life is about 5 days. After 5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (25 d).
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Trulicity compared with placebo: how often it appears
The label trials show Trulicity diarrhea for each Trulicity dose group. That same trial uses placebo for comparison.
| Medicine and dose | Diarrhea | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trulicity 0.75 mg | 8.9% | 6.7% | +2.2 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Trulicity 1.5 mg | 12.6% | 6.7% | +5.9 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Trulicity 1.5 mg | 7% | Not listed | Not listed | This higher-dose trial included adults with type 2 diabetes and had no placebo group |
| Trulicity 3 mg | 11.4% | Not listed | Not listed | This higher-dose trial included adults with type 2 diabetes and had no placebo group |
| Trulicity 4.5 mg | 10.7% | Not listed | Not listed | This higher-dose trial included adults with type 2 diabetes and had no placebo group |
Source: Trulicity label (DailyMed).
How Diarrhea with Trulicity compares with other GLP-1s
Each label covers its own trials, which used different groups of people. Consider it a rough guide.
The table also lists the pill forms: Rybelsus, Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | 30% | 2.4 mg | 16% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Foundayo | 25% | 17.2 mg | 11% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Zepbound | 23% | 15 mg | 8% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Saxenda | 20.9% | all doses | 9.9% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Mounjaro | 17% | 15 mg | 9% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Byetta | 13% | all doses | 6% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Trulicity | 12.6% | 1.5 mg | 6.7% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Victoza | 12% | 1.8 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Rybelsus | 10% | 14 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | 8.8% | 1 mg | 1.9% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Sources: Ozempic label (DailyMed), Wegovy label (DailyMed), Rybelsus label (DailyMed), Mounjaro label (DailyMed), Zepbound label (DailyMed), Foundayo label (DailyMed), Trulicity label (DailyMed), Saxenda label (DailyMed), Victoza label (DailyMed), Byetta label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Why it happens on Trulicity
These medicines slow the speed at which your stomach empties. Diarrhea can come on when food sits longer, and it happens most of all after meals that are big or fatty.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
What appears in the Trulicity label
Word for word, the label mentions diarrhea here:
“majority of the reported events occurred in patients who experienced gastrointestinal reactions leading to dehydration such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].”
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
What helps, step by step
- Replace fluids and salts by drinking water and an electrolyte drink.
- For a while, choose soft, bland foods that are low in fiber.
- Reduce caffeine, and drink less alcohol and fewer milk drinks.
- Ask your prescriber about a drugstore anti-diarrhea medicine.
- Have smaller meals, and stop eating when you feel full. These medicines make the stomach empty more slowly.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to recognize when you are full.
- Let your prescriber know if it does not ease. They may suggest a different GLP-1 or slow the pace of dose increases.
For anything from the drugstore, use the GLP-1 interactions checker first.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.