Trulicity Side Effects: How Common, How Long They Last
In the Trulicity label, nausea is the most common side effect: 21.1% on 1.5 mg vs 5.3% on placebo. Next come vomiting and diarrhea.
- Most common
- Nausea 21.1%
- Same on placebo
- 5.3%
- Trial group
- Adults with type 2 diabetes
Trulicity overview
The half-life is about 5 days. After 5 d, half is gone. About 3% remains after five half-lives (25 d).
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Trulicity side effects: label rates vs placebo
In placebo-controlled trials, the FDA label shows 7 common Trulicity side effects. The final column shows how much more often each side effect occurred than in the placebo group.
| 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).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings explained simply
- Boxed warning about Thyroid C-cell tumor risk. It caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; whether it does in people is not known. Do not take it when your personal or family history includes medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or when you have MEN 2.
- Pancreatitis. It can cause the pancreas to become inflamed. Severe stomach pain that continues and sometimes spreads to the back calls for stopping it and getting care.
- Low blood sugar. Low blood sugar levels. The risk of low blood sugar is higher when this medicine is taken alongside insulin or a sulfonylurea, and their doses may need lowering.
- Allergic reactions that are severe Swelling of the lips, face or throat appears in reports of serious allergic reactions. Get help right away and stop the medicine if these reactions occur.
- Kidney damage caused by fluid loss Kidney injury can occur after fluid loss caused by vomiting or diarrhea. Report any heavy fluid loss, and drink fluids.
- Severe stomach and gut reactions Some side effects affect the stomach and gut. They are common, and they can be severe. Severe gastroparesis: this drug is not recommended.
- Diabetic eye disease getting worse. For people with type 2 diabetes, diabetes-related eye disease can worsen, especially when blood sugar drops quickly. If you already have it, eye checks are important.
- Gallbladder disease. Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation may occur. Report pain in your upper right belly, fever, or yellow skin or eyes.
- During anesthesia or sedation, food can enter the lungs. Food reaching your lungs while under anesthesia or sedation Food may stay in your stomach longer, which is important during anesthesia or deep sedation. Tell your care team before any procedure.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Common side effects, one by one
- Nausea rates: 21.1% with 1.5 mg and 5.3% with placebo
- Diarrhea details: 12.6% at 1.5 mg and 6.7% with placebo
- Dyspepsia details: 5.8% at 1.5 mg and 2.3% with placebo
- Fatigue details: 5.6% with 1.5 mg and 2.6% with placebo
Additional Trulicity questions: Injection site reaction, Butt changes, Kidney problems, Sulfur burps, Headache, Heart effects, Hair loss, Weight gain, Constipation, Face changes, Muscle loss, Low blood sugar levels, Slow stomach emptying.