Trulicity Side Effects Center

Last updated on RxList: 11/29/2022
Trulicity Side Effects Center

What Is Trulicity?

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a human GLP-1 receptor agonist used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What Are Side Effects of Trulicity?

Trulicity may cause serious side effects including:

  • severe pain in your upper stomach, spreading to your back,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • swelling or a lump in your neck,
  • trouble swallowing,
  • a horse voice,
  • shortness of breath,
  • headache,
  • hunger,
  • weakness,
  • sweating,
  • confusion,
  • irritability,
  • dizziness,
  • fast heart rate,
  • feeling jittery,
  • little or no urination,
  • swelling of your feet or ankles, and
  • tiredness

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Trulicity include:

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Trulicity

The recommended initiating dose of Trulicity is 0.75 mg once weekly. The maximum recommended dose is 1.5 mg once weekly.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Trulicity?

Trulicity may interact with other oral medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Trulicity During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

During pregnancy, Trulicity should be taken only if prescribed; it is unknown if it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if Trulicity passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Trulicity (dulaglutide) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

SLIDESHOW

Type 2 Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments See Slideshow
Trulicity Consumer Information

Stop using dulaglutide and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;
  • signs of a thyroid tumor--swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or if you feel short of breath;
  • low blood sugar--headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; or
  • kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Tell your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while using dulaglutide. This can lead to kidney failure.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
  • diarrhea; or
  • loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

QUESTION

______________ is another term for type 2 diabetes. See Answer
Trulicity Professional Information

SIDE EFFECTS

The following serious reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information:

  • Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Pancreatitis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Acute Kidney Injury [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Severe Gastrointestinal Disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with a History of Diabetic Retinopathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
  • Acute Gallbladder Disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Adverse Reactions In The Clinical Trials In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Pool Of Adult Placebo-Controlled Trials For TRULICITY 0.75 mg And 1.5 mg Doses

The data in Table 1 are derived from a pool of placebo-controlled trials and include 1,670 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus exposed to TRULICITY with a mean duration of exposure of 23.8 weeks [see Clinical Studies]. The mean age of patients was 56 years, 1% were 75 years or older and 53% were male. The population was 69% White, 7% Black or African American, 13% Asian; 30% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. At baseline, the population had diabetes for an average of 8 years, a mean HbA1c of 8.0%, and 2.5% of the population reported retinopathy. Baseline estimated renal function was normal or mildly impaired (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m²) in 96%.

Table 1 shows adverse reactions, excluding hypoglycemia, occurring in ≥5% of TRULICITY treated adult patients and more commonly than placebo in a pool of placebo-controlled trials.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Pool of Placebo-Controlled Trials That Occurred in ≥5% of TRULICITY-Treated Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Adverse Reaction Placebo
(N=568) %
TRULICITY 0.75 mg
(N=836) %
TRULICITY 1.5 mg
(N=834) %
Nausea 5.3 12.4 21.1
Diarrheaa 6.7 8.9 12.6
Vomitingb 2.3 6.0 12.7
Abdominal Painc 4.9 6.5 9.4
Decreased Appetite 1.6 4.9 8.6
Dyspepsia 2.3 4.1 5.8
Fatigued 2.6 4.2 5.6
a Includes diarrhea, fecal volume increased, frequent bowel movements.
b Includes retching, vomiting, vomiting projectile.
c Includes abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal pain lower, abdominal pain upper, abdominal tenderness, gastrointestinal pain.
d Includes fatigue, asthenia, malaise.
Note: Percentages reflect the number of patients that reported at least 1 treatment-emergent occurrence of the adverse reaction.

Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions

In the pool of placebo-controlled trials, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions occurred more frequently among patients who received TRULICITY compared to patients who received placebo (placebo 21%, 0.75 mg 32%, 1.5 mg 41%). A higher percentage of patients who received TRULICITY 0.75 mg (1.3%) and TRULICITY 1.5 mg (3.5%) discontinued treatment due to GI adverse reactions than patients who received placebo (0.2%). Investigators graded the severity of GI adverse reactions that occurred in those treated with 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg of TRULICITY as “mild” in 58% and 48% of cases, respectively, “moderate” in 35% and 42% of cases, respectively, or “severe” in 7% and 11% of cases, respectively.

The following GI adverse reactions were reported more frequently in TRULICITY-treated patients than placebo -treated patients (frequencies listed, respectively, as: placebo; 0.75 mg; 1.5 mg): constipation (0.7%, 3.9%, 3.7%), flatulence (1.4%, 1.4%, 3.4%), abdominal distension (0.7%, 2.9%, 2.3%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (0.5%, 1.7%, 2.0%), and eructation (0.2%, 0.6%, 1.6%).

Adult Dose Ranging Trial For TRULICITY 3 mg And 4.5 mg Doses

Table 2 shows adverse reactions occurring ≥5% in any of the treatment groups through 36 weeks in a clinical trial with 1842 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with TRULICITY 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg subcutaneously once weekly as an add-on to metformin [see Clinical Studies]. The adverse reaction profile is consistent with previous clinical trials in adults.

Table 2: Adverse Reactions That Occurred in ≥5% of TRULICITY-treated Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Clinical Trial through 36 Weeksa

Adverse Reaction TRULICITY 1.5 mg
(N=612)%
TRULICITY 3 mg
(N=616)%
TRULICITY 4.5 mg
(N=614)%
Nausea 13.4 15.6 16.4
Diarrhea 7.0 11.4 10.7
Vomiting 5.6 8.3 9.3
Dyspepsia 2.8 5.0 2.6
a Percentages reflect the number of patients that reported at least 1 treatment-emergent occurrence of the adverse reaction.

Other Adverse Reactions In Adults

Hypoglycemia

Table 3 summarizes the incidence of hypoglycemia in the placebo-controlled clinical studies in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: episodes with a glucose level <54 mg/dL with or without symptoms, and severe hypoglycemia, defined as an episode requiring the assistance of another person to actively administer carbohydrate, glucagon, or other resuscitative actions.

Table 3: Incidence (%) of Hypoglycemia in Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Placebo-Controlled Trials

Placebo TRULICITY 0.75 mg TRULICITY 1.5 mg
Add-on to Metformin
(26 weeks) N=177 N=302 N=304
Hypoglycemia with a glucose level <54 mg/dL 0 0.3 0.7
Severe hypoglycemia 0 0 0
Add-on to Metformin + Pioglitazone
(26 weeks) N=141 N=280 N=279
Hypoglycemia with a glucose level <54 mg/dL 1.4 2.1 0
Severe hypoglycemia 0 0 0
Add-on to Glimepiride
(24 weeks) N=60 - N=239
Hypoglycemia with a glucose level <54 mg/dL 0 - 3.3
Severe hypoglycemia 0 - 0
In Combination with Insulin Glargine ± Metformin
(28 weeks) N=150 - N=150
Hypoglycemia with a glucose level <54 mg/dL 9.3 - 14.7
Severe hypoglycemia 0 - 0.7
Add-on to SGLT2i ± Metformin
(24 weeks) N=140 N=141 N=142
Hypoglycemia with a glucose level <54 mg/dL 0.7 0.7 0.7
Severe hypoglycemia 0 0.7 0

Hypoglycemia was more frequent when TRULICITY was used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin than when used with non-secretagogues. In a 78-week adult clinical trial, hypoglycemia (glucose level <54 mg/dL) occurred in 20% and 21% of patients when TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg, respectively, were co-administered with a sulfonylurea. Severe hypoglycemia occurred in 0% and 0.7% of patients when TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg, respectively, were co-administered with a sulfonylurea. In a 52-week adult clinical trial, hypoglycemia (glucose level <54 mg/dL) occurred in 77% and 69% of patients when TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg, respectively, were co-administered with prandial insulin. Severe hypoglycemia occurred in 2.7% and 3.4% of patients when TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg, respectively, were co-administered with prandial insulin. Refer to Table 3 for the incidence of hypoglycemia in patients treated in combination with basal insulin glargine.

In the clinical trial with adult patients on TRULICITY 1.5 mg, TRULICITY 3 mg, or TRULICITY 4.5 mg once weekly, as add-on to metformin, incidences of hypoglycemia (glucose level <54 mg/dL) through 36 weeks were 1.1%, 0.3%, and 1.1%, respectively, and incidences of severe hypoglycemia were 0.2%, 0%, and 0.2%, respectively.

Cholelithiasis And Cholecystitis

In a cardiovascular outcomes trial in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular (CV) disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors with a median follow up of 5.4 years [see Clinical Studies], cholelithiasis occurred at a rate of 0.62/100 patient-years in TRULICITY-treated patients and 0.56/100 patient-years in placebo-treated patients after adjusting for prior cholecystectomy. Serious events of acute cholecystitis were reported in 0.5% and 0.3% of patients on TRULICITY and placebo respectively.

Heart Rate Increase And Tachycardia-Related Adverse Reactions

In adult patients, TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg resulted in a mean increase in heart rate (HR) of 2-4 beats per minute (bpm).

Adverse reactions of sinus tachycardia were reported more frequently in patients exposed to TRULICITY. Sinus tachycardia was reported in 3.0%, 2.8%, and 5.6% of patients treated with placebo, TRULICITY 0.75 mg and TRULICITY 1.5 mg, respectively. Persistence of sinus tachycardia (reported at more than 2 visits) was reported in 0.2%, 0.4% and 1.6% of patients treated with placebo, TRULICITY 0.75 mg and TRULICITY 1.5 mg, respectively. Episodes of sinus tachycardia, associated with a concomitant increase from baseline in heart rate of ≥15 beats per minute, were reported in 0.7%, 1.3% and 2.2% of patients treated with placebo, TRULICITY 0.75 mg and TRULICITY 1.5 mg, respectively.

Hypersensitivity

Systemic hypersensitivity adverse reactions, sometimes severe (e.g., severe urticaria, systemic rash, facial edema, lip swelling), occurred in 0.5% of adult patients on TRULICITY in clinical studies.

Injection-site Reactions

In the placebo-controlled studies in adults, injection-site reactions (e.g., injection-site rash, erythema) were reported in 0.5% of TRULICITY-treated patients and in 0.0% of placebo-treated patients.

PR Interval Prolongation And Adverse Reactions Of First-Degree Atrioventricular (AV) Block

A mean increase from baseline in PR interval of 2-3 milliseconds was observed in TRULICITY-treated adult patients in contrast to a mean decrease of 0.9 milliseconds in placebo-treated patients. The adverse reaction of first-degree AV block occurred more frequently in patients treated with TRULICITY than placebo (0.9%, 1.7% and 2.3% for placebo, TRULICITY 0.75 mg and TRULICITY 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, TRULICITY 0.75 mg and TRULICITY 1.5 mg, respectively.

Amylase And Lipase Increase

Adult patients exposed to TRULICITY had mean increases from baseline in lipase and/or pancreatic amylase of 14% to 20%, while placebo-treated patients had mean increases of up to 3%.

Adverse Reactions In The Clinical Trial Of Pediatric Patients 10 Years Of Age And Older With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

TRULICITY was administered to 150 pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus for a mean duration of 41.3 weeks [see Clinical Studies]. The mean age was 14.5 years and 71% of patients were female. Overall, 55% were White, 15% were Black or African American, 12% were Asian, 10% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 5% were other races, and 3% had unknown race. Additionally, 55% were Hispanic or Latino, 42% were not Hispanic or Latino, and 3% had unknown ethnicity. At baseline, the mean duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus was 2 years, mean HbA1c was 8.1%, mean weight was 90.5 kg and mean BMI was 34.1 kg/m².

The safety profile in pediatric patients treated with TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg subcutaneously once-weekly was consistent with that described above for adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with the exception of injection site reactions. In pediatric patients, the incidence of injection site reactions was 3.9% (2 patients) in the TRULICITY 0.75 mg group, 3.8% (2 patients) in the TRULICITY 1.5 mg group, and 2.0% (1 patient) in the placebo group.

Postmarketing Experience

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported during post-approval use of TRULICITY. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Oral Medications

TRULICITY delays gastric emptying and thus has the potential to reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. The delay in gastric emptying is dose-dependent but is attenuated with the recommended dose escalation to higher doses of TRULICITY [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. The delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes with subsequent doses. In clinical pharmacology studies, TRULICITY 1.5 mg did not affect the absorption of the tested orally administered medications to a clinically relevant degree [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. There is limited experience with the use of concomitant medications in clinical trials with TRULICITY doses of 3 mg and 4.5 mg.

Monitor drug levels of oral medications with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., warfarin) when concomitantly administered with TRULICITY.

Concomitant Use With An Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) Or With Insulin

When initiating TRULICITY, consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Trulicity (Dulaglutide Injection, for Subcutaneous Use)

© Trulicity Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Trulicity Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.

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