Trulicity is a brand-name prescription medication that helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The generic version is called dulaglutide. A generic medication is a copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name drug.
Trulicity comes in liquid form that you’ll inject under the skin in your stomach, upper arm, or thigh. You’ll administer it once per week, ideally on the same day and at the same time.
When you’re undergoing treatment with dulaglutide, you may consider avoiding specific things, including certain foods, that may cause negative interactions. These interactions can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like nausea and serious effects like kidney problems.
Foods to avoid
Medications like Trulicity are part of the treatment for type 2 diabetes. But your diet and lifestyle measures are equally important aspects of your treatment regimen.
When you have diabetes, you should consider limiting certain foods, such as very sugary or high fat foods. This can help prevent an increase in your blood sugar levels. And when you’re using Trulicity, you should pay special attention to certain foods so they don’t interact with the medication or worsen its side effects.
Trulicity is a drug called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by increasing the production of insulin, lowering the amount of sugar the liver releases, and slowing digestion. So, when you’re on Trulicity, you should try to avoid consuming foods and drinks that can interfere with these processes.
Some foods and drinks to avoid when you’re on Trulicity include:
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels by lowering blood sugar, which can lead to hypoglycemia. This depends on how often and how much you drink.
In general, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that people with diabetes limit drinking alcohol because it can interfere with how your liver works. When you have a drink, your liver will choose to metabolize alcohol over maintaining your blood sugar levels, according to ADA.
Because dulaglutide already lowers how much sugar the liver releases, drinking while on Trulicity can lead to a dysregulation of blood sugar levels and cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Yet there is no evidence that Trulicity and alcohol have any interactions or adverse effects themselves. Consider being cautious and speaking with a doctor if you have any concerns.
Refined grains
Foods made from refined grains, such as white rice, corn grits, and white bread, can increase blood sugar levels. Refined grains are high in carbohydrates, which spike sugar levels, and are easy to digest.
Some research from 2017 links refined grains with the development of type 2 diabetes, and experts generally recommend you avoid them.
While there is no established risk of administering Trulicity while eating refined grains, it may be counterintuitive to take the medication alongside foods that will spike your blood sugar since it can reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Fried and fatty foods
Trulicity can slow digestion. So, eating fried and fatty foods, which take a long time to digest, can lead to discomfort and side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Like refined grains, fried and fatty foods spike your blood sugar. That’s why eating these foods can counteract the effectiveness of Trulicity and make your liver work harder.
Added sugar
Having type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean you can never eat sweets. However, you should limit your intake of sugary foods and foods with added sugars, like molasses and high fructose corn syrups.
Eating foods with added sugars — such as cookies, packaged juices, and sodas — can not only spike your sugar levels, they can also counteract the effects of dulaglutide.
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