{"id":49756,"date":"2022-03-09T09:26:37","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T14:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49756"},"modified":"2026-10-20T13:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T17:28:15","slug":"trulicity-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trulicity-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Trulicity for weight loss: Does it work, and who qualifies?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trulicity<\/a> (dulaglutide) is a prescription antidiabetic once-weekly injection medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists<\/a>.GLP-1 receptor agonists have been shown to lower blood sugar levels and\u00a0 lower A1C levels, an indicator of long-term blood glucose control, by up to 1.6%. Other biological effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists related to the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus<\/a> include improved insulin sensitivity, decreased glucagon concentrations, delayed gastric emptying, increased satiety (feeling of fullness), and decreased body weight.<\/p>\n

Not all GLP-1 medications have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss, but many are used off-label<\/a> (a purpose other than a medication\u2019s approved use) to help with weight loss.<\/p>\n

Trulicity is FDA-approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise in adults and children ages 10 years and older, and for the reduction of cardiovascular mortality in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.<\/p>\n

Read about Trulicity\u2019s effectiveness for weight loss, and when your healthcare provider might prescribe it off-label for weight loss.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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What is Trulicity used for?<\/h2>\n

Trulicity, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, is FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes mellitus alongside diet and exercise in adults and children 10 years of age and older and cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetes patients with established cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Trulicity for weight loss is not approved by the FDA, even though its use for this purpose may be relatively common.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Is Trulicity insulin?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How does Trulicity work for weight loss?<\/h2>\n

Trulicity and other GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the structure of naturally occurring hormones in the human body known as incretin hormones. When you eat food, your stomach releases these hormones, which, in turn, stimulate insulin release from the pancreas. Insulin helps control blood sugar levels by helping cells absorb glucose for energy. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients often lack enough incretin hormones to stimulate this process, which is why the GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective at helping them manage their blood sugar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, how does this mechanism help with weight loss? Incretin hormones, along with the chemically similar GLP-1 receptor agonists, slow gut motility and, therefore, slow stomach emptying. This leads to food remaining in the intestinal tract longer, causing increased and prolonged feelings of satiety, or feeling full. The feeling of being full leads to decreased appetite, which is thought to be the primary way GLP-1 receptor agonists like Trulicity aid with weight loss.<\/p>\n

According to clinical trials, patients with a higher BMI taking higher doses of Trulicity experienced the most weight loss<\/a>, with an average of 12.3 pounds lost by week 36. . The average weight loss for all doses and weights ranged from 6.6 to 10.1 pounds by 36 weeks.<\/p>\n

The results of the AWARD-11<\/a> trial concur that weight loss occurs most in patients on the highest dose of Trulicity, 4.5 mg. While most patients do lose some weight, there is a chance they will not lose weight or may even gain weight, and factors like diet and exercise also affect weight loss success.<\/p>\n

Do doctors prescribe Trulicity for weight loss?<\/h2>\n

Drugs that are FDA approved for weight loss include Saxenda<\/a> (liraglutide) and Wegovy<\/a> (semaglutide). Zepbound<\/a> (tirzepatide) is another medication that is FDA-approved for weight loss. Zepbound is a dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), which has shown\u00a0 superior weight loss results<\/a> when compared to the first GLP-1 drugs. While Trulicity does not have FDA approval for weight loss, some prescribers may still prescribe it for this purpose.<\/p>\n

Trulicity is approved by the FDA only to treat Type 2 diabetes\u2014not weight loss. While weight loss can be a side effect for people with diabetes, taking Trulicity without having diabetes can cause dangerous low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can lead to dizziness, weakness, fainting, or other severe symptoms. If you have diabetes and lose weight on Trulicity, your doctor should closely monitor your health and lab results.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Trulicity vs. Ozempic<\/b><\/a> | <\/b>Trulicity vs. Victoza<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Your doctor must evaluate your medical history before prescribing Trulicity. Key safety considerations include:<\/p>\n