Trulicity Gastroparesis: How Common, How Long It Lasts
The Trulicity label names gastric emptying as a reported side effect but gives no trial rate for it.
- In the label
- Listed, no rate given
- Label term
- gastric emptying
A quick look at Trulicity
Its half-life is about 5 days. After 5 d, half is gone, and after five half-lives (25 d), about 3% remains.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
What the Trulicity label lists instead
The Trulicity label does not give a rate for slow stomach emptying. It gives rates for the five side effects that occur most often.
| Side effect | Placebo | Trulicity 0.75 mg | Trulicity 1.5 mg | More than placebo, 1.5 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 5.3% | 12.4% | 21.1% | +15.8 points |
| Vomiting | 2.3% | 6% | 12.7% | +10.4 points |
| Diarrhea | 6.7% | 8.9% | 12.6% | +5.9 points |
| Abdominal Pain | 4.9% | 6.5% | 9.4% | +4.5 points |
| Decreased Appetite | 1.6% | 4.9% | 8.6% | +7 points |
Source: Trulicity label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
What may explain it?
These medicines slow down how quickly your stomach empties. Food can stay in your stomach longer. This may cause slow stomach emptying, especially after large or fatty meals.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
What the Trulicity label says
In the label, slow stomach emptying appears word for word:
“TRULICITY delays gastric emptying [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].”
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
What helps, step by step
- Choose smaller meals and stop eating once you feel full. While you take these medicines, your stomach empties more slowly.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to notice when you feel full.
- Go easy on fatty, greasy and sugary foods because they often bring symptoms on.
- If it does not ease, tell your prescriber. Another GLP-1 may be suggested, or the dose increases may be slowed.
Before you take anything from the drugstore, check for interactions with the GLP-1 checker.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.