Trulicity Long-Term Side Effects: What Years of Data Show
Trulicity has been sold in the US since 2014. The long-term label warnings are thyroid C-cell tumors (seen in rodents), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and kidney injury from fluid loss.
- Sold in the US since
- 2014
- Most common
- Nausea 21.1%
- Same on placebo
- 5.3%
- Trial group
- Adults with type 2 diabetes
Trulicity in brief
Its half-life is about 5 days. After 5 d, half is gone. After five half-lives (25 d), about 3% remains.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings in plain terms
- Thyroid C-cell tumors: boxed warning. It caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; whether it does in people is not known. Do not use it if you or your family have a history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or if you have MEN 2.
- Pancreatitis. It may cause the pancreas to become inflamed. Get care and stop taking it if severe stomach pain continues.
- Low blood sugar. Using it with insulin or a sulfonylurea raises the chance of low blood sugar; you may need to lower those doses.
- Serious allergic reactions. Serious allergic reactions, including swelling that affects the face, lips, or throat, have been reported. If any of those reactions occur, get help right away and stop taking it.
- Fluid loss can cause kidney injury. Vomiting or diarrhea can cause fluid loss, which can lead to kidney injury. Drink fluids and report heavy fluid loss.
- Severe stomach and gut reactions. Severe reactions in the stomach and gut can happen. Side effects affecting these areas are common and may be severe. Severe gastroparesis means this medicine is not recommended.
- Worsening of diabetic eye disease. If you have type 2 diabetes, diabetic eye disease may get worse, especially when blood sugar falls fast. Eye checks matter if you already have this condition.
- Gallbladder disease. Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can occur. Report any fever, yellow skin or eyes, and upper right belly pain
- Food in the lungs during anesthesia or sedation. Food may stay in your stomach longer, which is a concern during anesthesia or deep sedation. Tell the care team before any procedure.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Trulicity long term side effects: label rates vs placebo
The FDA label lists 7 common Trulicity side effects identified through placebo-controlled trials. The final column shows how much more often each effect occurred than with placebo.
| 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 |
| Dyspepsia | 2.3% | 4.1% | 5.8% | +3.5 points |
| Fatigue | 2.6% | 4.2% | 5.6% | +3 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).