This article describes Trulicity’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to use it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Trulicity. If you want to know more about Trulicity, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Trulicity is a brand-name biologic medication that comes as an injection. It isn’t available in a biosimilar version. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.) This article describes dosages of Trulicity.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Trulicity has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
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Form and strengths of Trulicity
Trulicity comes as follows:
- Form: a liquid solution inside a single-dose, prefilled injection pen, which you’ll take by injecting it under your skin
- Strengths: strengths are written as milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL)
- 0.75 mg/0.5 mL
- 1.5 mg/0.5 mL
- 3 mg/0.5 mL
- 4.5 mg/0.5 mL
Dosage of Trulicity
This article describes the recommended dosages for Trulicity. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Trulicity without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Trulicity in adults
Trulicity is used together with lifestyle changes in diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in children ages 10 years and older and adults with type 2 diabetes. Trulicity is also used to reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel problems in adults with type 2 diabetes who already have, or who are at risk for, heart and blood vessel disease.
Doctors usually prescribe a low starting dose of Trulicity. Then, depending on how well it works to manage your blood sugar levels, they may increase your dose every 4 weeks until they reach the dosage that’s right for you.
- Starting dosage: 0.75 mg once weekly
- Maintenance dosage: 0.75 to 4.5 mg once weekly
- Maximum dosage: 4.5 mg once weekly
Dosages of Trulicity in children
Doctors may prescribe Trulicity to children ages 10 years and older. Like the adult dosage, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage. After at least 4 weeks on the starting dose, they may increase the dose. This depends on how well it’s working to manage the child’s blood sugar levels.
- Starting dosage: 0.75 mg once weekly
- Maintenance dosage: 0.75 mg or 1.5 mg once weekly
- Maximum dosage: 1.5 mg once weekly
Missed dose of Trulicity
If you miss a dose of Trulicity, take it as soon as you can within the next 3 days. Then take your next dose on your usual day of the week. But if you don’t remember until your next dose is fewer than 3 days away, just skip the one you missed. Then take your next dose on your usual day of the week.
You can also change the day of the week you take Trulicity, as long as you wait at least 3 full days between your last dose and the next dose.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Trulicity and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Trulicity and its dosage.
Can Trulicity be used for weight loss? If so, what is the dosage?
No, Trulicity isn’t prescribed for weight loss. It’s only approved to treat type 2 diabetes. That said, some people taking Trulicity may experience weight loss as an added benefit. Weight loss was common in people with type 2 diabetes who were taking Trulicity in studies.
Trulicity belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. There are other GLP-1 drugs that have approval for weight loss. Wegovy (semaglutide) is an example.
If you have concerns about your weight, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to manage it.
How many doses are in a Trulicity pen?
Each Trulicity pen contains one dose and should only be used one time. The pen is disposable. So you’ll inject the dose of Trulicity and discard the pen in a sharps container. The FDA has information about safe sharps disposal on their website.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how to use Trulicity. They can also help you learn about safe sharps disposal.
Is Trulicity used long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Trulicity as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should use Trulicity, talk with your doctor.
How Trulicity is used
You’ll inject Trulicity under the skin once per week. You can inject it Trulicity at any time of day with or without food.
Your doctor or other healthcare professional will show you how to inject Trulicity. Trulicity can be injected under the skin in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. They’ll also explain how to rotate injection sites. (This means you’ll use a different spot of skin for each injection.) You can find detailed instructions on Trulicity’s website.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty using or remembering to use Trulicity. They can offer recommendations about using it.
Trulicity coupon
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