Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Trulicity to:
- help manage blood sugar levels, along with diet and exercise, in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes
- help lower the risk of heart problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease or risk factors for heart disease
Trulicity is a brand-name biologic medication. It comes as a solution that you inject just under your skin with a single-dose disposable pen. It isn’t available in a biosimilar version.
This article describes possible side effects of Trulicity. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Trulicity, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid tumors
Trulicity has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
For details, see the “Side effects of Trulicity in detail” section below.
More common side effects of Trulicity
Trulicity may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Trulicity include:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- low blood sugar*
- nausea or vomiting
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Trulicity in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of Trulicity
Trulicity may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Trulicity that occurred in studies include:
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- burping
- constipation
- diarrhea
- fatigue (low energy)
- gas
- indigestion
- injection site reactions, such as redness or rash
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- weight loss*
- mild allergic reaction*
Trulicity may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Trulicity in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of Trulicity
Trulicity may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Trulicity, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Trulicity.
Serious side effects of Trulicity that occurred in studies include:
- gallbladder problems
- increased heart rate
- kidney problems or kidney failure
- low blood sugar*
- pancreatitis (swelling of your pancreas)
- problems with heart rhythm
- severe digestive problems
- risk of thyroid tumors*†
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Trulicity in detail” section below.
† Trulicity has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Trulicity in detail” section below.
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Get free cardSide effects of Trulicity in children
For children, doctors prescribe Trulicity to help manage blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. The drug is used for this purpose in children ages 10 years and older.
In studies, injection site reactions were more common in children than in adults.
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking Trulicity, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of Trulicity
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Trulicity. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of Trulicity usually last?
Usually, mild side effects of Trulicity are temporary and last a few days or weeks. For example, nausea often happens within a few days after starting Trulicity or after dosage is increased. For most people, it gets better within a week or two. But some people have nausea that lasts longer than that.
Some of the serious side effects of Trulicity may last longer.
Tell your doctor if you have side effects that aren’t going away or that become bothersome or severe.
Does Trulicity cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases Trulicity may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with Trulicity include:
- kidney problems
- thyroid tumors
- worsening diabetic retinopathy
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Trulicity may last.
How do the side effects of Trulicity compare with those seen with Ozempic?
Trulicity and Ozempic are both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. So, they will have very similar side effects. Both of them can cause digestive side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. With Trulicity, these can become severe. They both can also cause similar severe side effects, including kidney problems, pancreatitis, and low blood sugar. Likewise, they have the same boxed warning for thyroid tumors.
To learn more about Trulicity and Ozempic, see this detailed comparison. You could also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how these two drugs compare.
Side effects of Trulicity in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Trulicity.
Risk of thyroid tumors
Thyroid tumors weren’t reported in human studies of Trulicity. But animal studies have shown a risk of this side effect, which may be serious.
In animal studies, researchers found an increase in C-cell thyroid tumors. These include both benign (not cancerous) tumors and cancerous tumors. Keep in mind, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.
Symptoms of a thyroid tumor may include:
- hoarseness
- a lump in the front of the neck
- pain in the throat or neck
- trouble swallowing
- voice changes
In animal studies, the risk of thyroid tumors increased with higher doses and longer treatment with Trulicity.
Ways to manage
Due to the possible risk of thyroid tumors, some people should not use Trulicity. This includes people who have had:
People who have a family history of these tumors or cancer also should avoid Trulicity treatment.
Be sure to tell your doctor about your medical history, including any thyroid problems in you or a family member. If you experience symptoms of a thyroid tumor, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend testing to find out what is causing your symptoms.
Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar was common in people taking Trulicity with other diabetes medications in studies. This side effect may be serious.
Symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
- confusion
- dizziness
- fast heart rate
- headache
- hunger
- shakiness
- sweating
In studies, the risk of low blood sugar with Trulicity is higher with other diabetes medications including:
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, make sure you have an easy-to-consume form of glucose (sugar). Examples include glucose tablets and sugary hard candy. If you have low blood sugar often, tell your doctor. They may need to adjust your diabetes medications.
Weight loss
In studies, weight loss was common in people taking Trulicity. This side effect is usually mild.
People using Trulicity lost weight compared with people not taking the drug or taking other diabetes drugs. The weight loss was dose-related. This means that higher doses caused more weight loss. Lower doses caused less weight loss. Although Trulicity isn’t approved for weight loss, people with type 2 diabetes may benefit from this effect.
Some people experience side effects that can cause more weight loss. This includes loss of appetite and digestive side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
Ways to manage
If you experience weight loss that’s concerning, tell your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you’re having digestive side effects or loss of appetite. They may recommend adjusting your diabetes treatment.
Allergic reaction
Trulicity can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Trulicity, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Trulicity
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Trulicity.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid tumors
Trulicity has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
For details, see the “Side effects of Trulicity in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Trulicity if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Trulicity is a safe treatment option for you.
Before using Trulicity, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- diabetic retinopathy
- kidney disease
- liver problems
- problems with your pancreas, such as past pancreatitis
- severe digestive problems, such as trouble digesting food or slow stomach emptying
- past allergic reaction to Trulicity
Trulicity and pregnancy
It’s not known whether Trulicity should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Trulicity and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Trulicity should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Trulicity. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of Trulicity compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?
- Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
- Does the dosage of Trulicity affect my risk of side effects?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.