Trulicity Side Effects

Generic name: dulaglutide

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Dec 24, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Trulicity Side Effects associated with dulaglutide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Trulicity.

Applies to dulaglutide: subcutaneous solution.

Serious side effects of Trulicity

Along with its needed effects, dulaglutide (the active ingredient contained in Trulicity) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dulaglutide:

Other side effects of Trulicity

Some side effects of dulaglutide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dulaglutide: subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions included nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 21.1%), diarrhea (up to 13.7%), vomiting (up to 11.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, flatulence, abdominal distention, gastroesophageal reflux disease, eructation, lipase and/or pancreatic amylase increases from baseline (up to 20%)
• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis^[Ref]

During clinical trials, a greater number of pancreatitis related adverse reactions were reported in patients exposed to this drug versus non-incretin comparators (12 cases vs 3 cases). Analyses of adjudicated events revealed 5 cases of confirmed pancreatitis in dulaglutide-exposed patients compared with 1 case in the non-incretin comparator group.

Gastrointestinal events occurred more frequently with the higher dose. Cases were graded as mild, moderate, or severe in 58% and 48%, 35% and 43%, and 7% and 11%, of patients receiving the 0.75 mg dose and the 1.5 mg dose, respectively. The severity of events was graded by clinical trial investigators.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Systemic hypersensitivity including severe urticaria, systemic rash, facial edema, lip swelling
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions, angioedema^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma^[Ref]

One case of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) has been reported in a patient treated with this drug. Prior to receiving treatment, this patient had calcitonin levels approximately 8 times the upper limit of normal.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypoglycemia (up to 85% when combined with prandial insulin)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite^[Ref]

Hypoglycemia occurred more frequently when this drug was used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin. In combination with prandial insulin, hypoglycemia occurred in 85% and 80% of patients receiving 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg; severe hypoglycemia in 2.4% and 3.4% of patients, respectively. In combination with a sulfonylurea, symptomatic hypoglycemia occurred in 39% and 40%. As add-on therapy to metformin or metformin plus pioglitazone, symptomatic hypoglycemia occurred in up to 5.6% of patients, with no reports of severe hypoglycemia.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): First degree AV block, sinus tachycardia, PR prolongation on ECG
• Frequency not reported: Increased heart rate^[Ref]

During clinical trials, a mean increase in heart rate of 2 to 4 beats per minute was observed. Sinus tachycardia was reported in 2.8% and 5.6% of patients receiving 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg of dulaglutide compared with 3% in placebo. Persistent sinus tachycardia defined as occurring at more than 2 visits was reported in 0.4%, 1.6%, and 0.2% of patients receiving dulaglutide 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, or placebo. Episodes of sinus tachycardia associated with an increase of 15 or more beats per minute from baseline occurred in 1.3%, 2.2%, and 0.7% of patients, respectively.

During clinical trials, a 2 to 3 millisecond mean increase from baseline in PR interval was observed in dulaglutide-treated patients compared to a mean decrease of 0.9 milliseconds in placebo-treated patients. AV block occurred more frequently compared with placebo (0.9%, 1.7% and 2.3% for placebo, 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg, respectively). On electrocardiograms, a PR interval increase to at least 220 milliseconds was observed in 0.7%, 2.5% and 3.2% of patients treated with placebo, 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, respectively.^[Ref]

Renal

• Postmarketing reports: Increased serum creatinine, acute renal failure or worsening of chronic renal failure (sometimes requiring hemodialysis)

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anti-drug antibodies^[Ref]

In clinical studies 1.6% (n=64) of patients developed anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). Half of the patients had dulaglutide-neutralizing antibodies and half developed antibodies against native GLP-1.^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
• Does Trulicity cause weight loss?
• Does Trulicity need to be refrigerated?
• Trulicity vs Mounjaro: How do they compare?
• Trulicity and diet: What foods should you avoid?
• How do you use/inject Trulicity?
• Can Trulicity be injected cold?
• Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
• Is Trulicity a form of insulin?

Further information

Trulicity side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer