Does Trulicity cause weight loss?
- Trulicity is not a weight loss drug, but some people may lose weight.
- People lost, on average, two to six pounds while taking Trulicity. However, 15 to 30% gained weight.
- One of the ways Trulicity works is by helping to make you feel full after a meal.
- People more likely to lose weight include those with a higher starting weight and a longer duration of gastrointestinal side effects.
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is an injectable medicine that is used to improve blood sugar control in adults over the age of 18 with type 2 diabetes. It may also be given to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (such as a heart attack or stroke) occurring in adults with type 2 diabetes who already have cardiovascular disease or are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Trulicity is injected under the skin once a week, preferably on the same day each week at the same time. Each injection will help control blood sugar levels for one week. Trulicity is only effective in people with type 2 diabetes.
How much weight loss occurs with Trulicity?
Research has shown that many people lose, on average, two to six pounds while taking Trulicity. However, some people gained weight.
Specific studies have shown that dulaglutide, the active ingredient of Trulicity:
- Was associated with a greater weight loss (3.23kg on average) compared to insulin glargine in 588 patients also taking insulin lispro. 49% of people in the study administered dulaglutide did not gain weight compared with only 19% administered insulin glargine
- In the AWARD-1 trial, people gained an average of 0.2kg in weight with dulaglutide 0.75mg
- In the AWARD-3 trial weight loss with dulaglutide was similar to metformin
- In the AWARD -4 trial, weight loss with dulaglutide 1.5mg was 0.87kg, while dulaglutide 0.75mg was weight neutral at 26 weeks
- In the AWARD-6 trial, average weight loss was 2.8kg with dulaglutide 1.5mg compared to 3.6kg with liraglutide
- In the AWARD-11 trail, the average weight loss after 36 weeks was 4.7kg (10.4 pounds) with dulaglutide 4.5mg; 4kg (8.8 pounds) with dulaglutide 3mg; and 3kg (6.8 pounds) with dulaglutide 1.5mg.
Although overall treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists is associated with weight loss, this varies among individuals, and 15 to 30% of people will gain weight.
People more likely to lose weight include those with a higher starting weight and a longer duration of gastrointestinal side effects.
Related questions
- Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
- Trulicity vs Mounjaro: How do they compare?
- Trulicity and diet: What foods should you avoid?
How does Trulicity work?
Trulicity belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It may also be called an incretin mimetic.
Trulicity works by mimicking the functions of natural incretin hormones in the body that help keep blood sugar levels under control, especially immediately following a meal. Incretin hormones are gut peptides that are secreted from the stomach when food is eaten. They also stimulate the secretion of insulin in response to high blood glucose levels.
Two incretin hormones are known as GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). In people with type 2 diabetes, this natural incretin effect is diminished or no longer present. However, it can be stimulated with pharmacological agents, such as Trulicity.
Trulicity shares 90% of the same structure as human GLP-1 but is man-made. It has been modified so that it can last in the body for a long time (approximately one week) and not be broken down by an enzyme naturally present in the blood, called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or DPP-4.
Trulicity acts like GLP-1 and binds to GLP-1 receptors, stimulating insulin release from the pancreas, reducing the amount of glucose that the liver produces, and making you feel full by slowing gastric emptying.
References
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) Lilly Feb 2020 https://www.drugs.com/pro/trulicity.html
- FDA Approves Additional Doses of Trulicity (dulaglutide) for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes 09/2020 https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-additional-doses-trulicity-dulaglutide-type-2-diabetes-5346.html
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) Approved to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Adults With and Without Established Cardiovascular Disease Feb 21 2020 Drugs.com News https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/trulicity-dulaglutide-approved-reduce-cardiovascular-events-adults-without-established-5358.html
Read next
Does Trulicity need to be refrigerated?
Trulicity should be stored in a refrigerator until you need to use it.
You can leave Trulicity out of a refrigerator for up to 14 days and still use it. Continue reading
How do you use/inject Trulicity?
To use the Trulicity Pen remove the cap of the pen and hold the pen straight up and down on the skin before pushing the green injection button. You should hear a click, followed by a second click, 10 to 15 seconds later once the injection has finished.
Trulicity is injected under the skin once a week into the thigh, stomach area, or upper arm. Continue reading
Can Trulicity be injected cold?
Trulicity may be injected straight out of the fridge (while it is still cold) but it is more likely to sting. Allow Trulicity at least 30 minutes to warm up to room temperature first so that it is less likely to sting. Continue reading
See also:
Aimovig
Learn about Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be ...
Botox
Botox is used for cosmetic purposes and to treat overactive bladder symptoms, urinary incontinence ...
Ozempic
Learn about Ozempic (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes treatment, weight management, cardiovascular ...
Nurtec ODT
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is used to treat acute migraines and prevent episodic migraines, by ...
Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a CGRP antagonist for the preventive treatment of migraine and for ...
Inderal
Inderal (propranolol) is used to treat angina, high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders ...
Ajovy
Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) is a preventive migraine treatment. Includes Ajovy side effects ...
Vyepti
Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is used for the preventive treatment of migraine. Includes Vyepti ...
Botox Cosmetic
Botox Cosmetic is a prescription treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. It temporarily improves the ...
Fremanezumab
Fremanezumab is used for chronic migraine, headache, migraine, migraine prevention
Related medical questions
- Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
- Is Trulicity a form of insulin?
- How does Trulicity work?
- Does dulaglutide cause weight loss?
- What is dulaglutide used for and how does it work?
- What is the safest diabetes medication?
- What foods should I eat or avoid for hypoglycemia?
- Can you have hypoglycemia without diabetes?
- What is the connection between the endocrine system and osteoporosis?
- Which type of insulin has the longest duration of action?
- What is the natural Mounjaro recipe for weight loss?
- Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
- Zepbound Vs Mounjaro: Complete Comparison Guide for Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment
- Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
- Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?
- What are the long-term side effects of Ozempic?
- How long does metformin take to work?
- Mounjaro side effects you need to be aware of
- How long does it take for Ozempic to work?
- Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which is Right for You?
- When is the best time to take metformin?
- How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?
- Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: How do they compare?
- A1C levels: Dangerous vs normal and how to lower It?
- Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?
- Can you switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
- What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
- Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated?
- Why does metformin cause diarrhea?
- Saxenda vs Ozempic: For Weight Loss?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Trulicity (33 questions, 178 members)
- Dulaglutide (11 questions, 6 members)
- Diabetes, Type 2 (505 questions, 1,428 members)
- Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) (851 questions, 1,511 members)