Trulicity for Weight Loss: Pounds Lost by Dose
Trulicity is not FDA approved for weight loss. It is approved for type 2 diabetes and heart risk.
- For weight loss
- Not an approved use
- Active ingredient
- dulaglutide
- How it is taken
- weekly injection
A quick look at Trulicity
Its half-life is about 5 days. After 5 d, half is gone; five half-lives (25 d) leave about 3%.
Sources: FDA label at DailyMed.
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | With diet and exercise, the medicine lowers blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. |
| FDA label | Adults with type 2 diabetes and several heart risk factors or heart disease face a lower risk of heart attack, stroke or heart-related death when taking it. |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 30 or higher |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | first comes a diet and activity program lasting 6 months |
Sources: FDA label at DailyMed and aetna.com.
How is weight loss different?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Acute Pancreatitis | Can cause inflammation of the pancreas. Stop taking it and get care if severe stomach pain continues and sometimes moves into your back. |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. If you have upper right belly pain, fever, or yellow skin or eyes, report it. |
According to FDA labels: FDA label on DailyMed.
From the label warnings: FDA DailyMed label.
Coverage for weight loss
A GLP-1 used only for weight loss is not covered by Medicare Part D.
Prior authorization is the standard for Medicaid coverage of weight-loss GLP-1s.
Sources listed: humana.com and KFF.
- Trulicity Coupon and Savings Card
- Trulicity Price
- Trulicity Cost Without Insurance
- Does Medicare Cover Trulicity? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Cheapest Way to Get Trulicity
- Is Trulicity Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Trulicity? Criteria, Copay
- Does Medicaid Cover Trulicity? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
For weight loss
| Medicine | For weight loss | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | FDA approved | weekly injection or daily tablet | 14.9% weight loss |
 Zepbound | FDA approved | weekly injection | 20.9% weight loss |
 Foundayo | FDA approved | daily tablet | 11.1% weight loss |
 Saxenda | FDA approved | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
| Trulicity | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Ozempic | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | Not an approved use | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Victoza | Not an approved use | daily injection | Not listed |
| Byetta | Not an approved use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Sources: FDA label at DailyMed.
Questions for your prescriber
- Does the weight rule from the label cover me, and does my plan add another rule of its own?
- Which of the weight-related conditions in my record qualify?
- By the end of the first year, how much should I expect to lose?
- If I stop taking it, what will happen?
On DailyMed, read the complete Trulicity prescribing information.