What is Trulicity pen
John Campbell
Updated on April 15, 2026
Dulaglutide is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems.
What is Trulicity and how does it work?
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by activating the GLP-1 receptor. This tells your body to release more insulin, stops the body from releasing more sugar into your bloodstream, and slows down digestion.
What does Trulicity do to your body?
How does Trulicity work? Like other GLP-1 receptors agonists, Trulicity works by stimulating the body’s natural production of insulin It also inhibits the release of glucagon and slows digestion. Trulicity also aids weight loss. Again, this is similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonists.
What is the difference between insulin and Trulicity?
Trulicity is not a form of insulin. It relies on people still having some functioning beta cells – these are cells in the pancreas that produce, store, and release insulin. Trulicity belongs to the class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.What does Trulicity do for a diabetic?
Trulicity is a brand-name prescription drug. It’s FDA-approved for the following uses in adults with type 2 diabetes: To lower blood sugar levels. For this use, Trulicity is prescribed along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels.
How much weight can you lose with Trulicity?
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.
Is Trulicity bad for kidneys?
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which could cause existing kidney problems to get worse (including kidney failure). Trulicity may cause severe stomach problems.
Does Trulicity cause eye problems?
You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.Does Trulicity cause hair loss?
Will I experience hair loss during my Trulicity treatment? No, you shouldn’t experience hair loss from using Trulicity. Hair loss was not a side effect seen in studies of Trulicity. However, hair loss may be more common in people with diabetes.
How long do you stay on Trulicity?How long does Trulicity stay in your system? If a person takes Trulicity for a few months and then stops it then it will take about 5 weeks to completely clear the system. As a general rule with medication if a drug is taken daily then it takes 5 days to get to a steady level and 5 days to clear the system.
Article first time published onWhere do you inject a Trulicity pen?
You may inject the medicine into your stomach (abdomen) or thigh. Another person may give you the injection in your upper arm. Change (rotate) your injection site each week. You may use the same area of your body, but be sure to choose a different injection site in that area.
What is the best time of day to take Trulicity?
Trulicity is taken once a week. On your Trulicity day, you can take your dose at any time of the day, with or without food. So start by picking the best day for you and mark it as your Trulicity day. Do your best to stick to the same day every week.
What is the best once a week shot for diabetes?
The FDA has approved the once-weekly injectable Ozempic (semaglutide) for use in type 2 diabetes. Ozempic, a GLP-1 agonist, demonstrated significant A1c reductions (nearly 2%!) as well as weight loss in clinical trials.
Does Trulicity lower A1C?
Trulicity offers powerful A1C reduction The 3.0 mg dose may be increased after ≥4weeks to the maximum dose of 4.5 mg once weekly. In clinical studies, the mean A1C reduction from baseline at primary endpoint was 0.7% to 1.6% for the 0.75 mg dose and 0.8% to 1.6% for the 1.5 mg dose.
Will Trulicity cause high blood pressure?
People taking Trulicity experienced modest weight loss and lower blood pressure. The most common side effects from the medication were constipation or diarrhea.
Does Trulicity protect the heart?
REWIND showed that Trulicity resulted in a 12% reduced risk of combined non-fatal stroke, non-fatal heart attack, and heart-related death compared to placebo (a “nothing” pill). 2.4% of people taking Trulicity experienced these events, compared to 2.7% of people taking placebo.
Is caffeine bad for diabetics?
Caffeine may make it tougher to bring it down to a healthy point. This may lead to too-high blood sugar levels. Over time, this may raise your chance of diabetes complications, like nerve damage or heart disease.
Why do diabetics have big stomachs?
“Over time, insulin resistance may lead to type 2 diabetes and its many chronic complications.” Certain foods, such as sugary drinks, may contribute to belly fat, according to a January 2016 study in Circulation.
Does Trulicity make you thirsty?
Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency. Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.
What is the best diabetic medication for weight loss?
A company-sponsored study indicated the drug semaglutide used to treat type 2 diabetes might be effective for weight loss. Researchers say semaglutide reduces appetite and energy intake. Another similar drug, liraglutide, was approved by federal regulators 3 years ago as a treatment for weight loss.
Can you throw Trulicity pens in the garbage?
Injection Devices: Disposable pen-type injection devices should be thrown away without the needle attached. Once the needle is removed, pen devices can be safely disposed of in household trash.
Can Trulicity be injected cold?
Official Answer. Yes, you can give Trulicity cold but it is more likely to sting. Allow Trulicity at least 30 minutes to warm up to room temperature beforehand to make receiving the injection much more pleasant.
Does Trulicity worsen retinopathy?
Along with diet and exercise, Trulicity is used to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. If high blood sugar is corrected too quickly, this can sometimes make diabetic retinopathy temporarily worse.
Can Trulicity cause erectile dysfunction?
The latest analysis found that men in the Trulicity group experienced erectile dysfunction at a rate of 21.3 cases per 100 person-years, while men in the placebo group experienced the condition at a rate of 22.0 cases per 100 person-years.
Does Trulicity cause depression?
Back pain may be a symptom of pancreatitis (swelling in the pancreas). And pancreatitis is a rare but serious side effect of Trulicity. Talk with your doctor about any hair loss, joint pain, back pain, or depression you have while using Trulicity. They can suggest ways to manage these side effects.
Does Trulicity have to be refrigerated?
Storing your pen Store your pen in the refrigerator, but do NOT freeze your pen. If you decide to travel with your Trulicity pens, you can keep them at room temperature (below 86°F, 30°C) for up to 14 days.
How many doses are in a Trulicity pen?
Each pen contains one weekly dose of Trulicity (0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg or 4.5 mg). Each pen delivers only one dose. You can use your pen at any time of the day, with or without meals.
Does Trulicity make you burp?
weakness/lack of energy, feeling unwell (malaise), belching, and. low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Do you have to take Trulicity at the same time every week?
Trulicity is designed to fit into your busy life. Trulicity is taken once a week. On your Trulicity day, you can take your dose at any time of the day, with or without food. So, start by picking the best day for you and mark it as your Trulicity Day. Do your best to stick to the same day every week.
What's the difference between Trulicity and metformin?
“Trulicity increases satiety, slows stomach emptying, and increases your body’s insulin production. Metformin generally helps modulate and smooth out your blood sugar levels (by decreasing glucose production in the liver, among other things).”
What is the new pill for diabetes?
FRIDAY, Sept. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new pill to lower blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday. The drug, Rybelsus (semaglutide) is the first pill in a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) approved for use in the United States.