What is Trulicity: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take Trulicity as instructed by the prescriber.

Doses are taken once weekly on the same day of the week each time.

Trulicity pen injectors contain a single dose, so a new single-dose pen is used each week. 

A healthcare provider will give instructions about where to give the injection and how to give it correctly. Make sure you understand all the instructions.

Doses can be injected without regard for meals, according to the drug’s label.

Please read the Medication Guide before starting Trulicity.

Please review the Instructions for Use before administering an injection.

Preparing the injection:

• Remove the pen injector from its carton in the refrigerator.

• Check the pen label, the dose, and the medicine. Do not use the injector if it contains the wrong medicine, has the wrong dose, is damaged, or shows cloudy, discolored, or particle-filled medicine.

• Wash your hands. 

Giving the injection:

• You can administer injections in the abdomen or front area of the thighs. A caregiver can administer an injection in the back of the upper arms.

• Rotate the injection site for each week’s dose.

• With the pen locked, remove the base cap.

• Place the clear base against the skin.

• Unlock the pen.

• Press and hold down the injection button. The injector will click.

• After five or 10 seconds, the injector will make a clicking noise again. The injection is finished.

• Pull the pen straight away from the skin.

• Dispose of the injector pen in a sharps container.

Store Trulicity pens in the refrigerator in their original carton, protected from light. They come in single-pen or four-pen cartons. Do not freeze.

If a pen is removed from the refrigerator, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 14 days. 

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible.

Do not take the missed dose if the next dose is due in three days. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.

Patients can change the day of the week injections are given as long as the new day is at least three days after the last dose.

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use Trulicity if you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or if you have: 

• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare type of thyroid cancer

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Trulicity is never used to treat Type 1 diabetes.

Regular checkups and blood tests are key to the success and safety of Trulicity treatment. Keep all appointments with healthcare providers.

Make sure any doctor or other healthcare provider treating you knows that you take Trulicity shots. 

Before starting Trulicity, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have or previously had:

• Kidney problems

• Liver problems

• Pancreas problems

• Diabetic retinopathy or eye problems due to diabetes

• Stomach problems, including delayed gastric emptying or digestion problems

Trulicity may be associated with serious problems, including:

• Increased risk of medullary thyroid cancer

• Severe gastrointestinal disease

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Gallbladder disease

• Kidney injury

• Worsening of diabetic retinopathy

• Low blood sugar (in people taking insulin or drugs that increase insulin production) 

Trulicity slows stomach emptying, which can affect the absorption of other oral medications. Before starting Trulicity, inform the prescriber about all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you are currently taking.

Diabetes medications called insulin secretagogues—meglitinides and sulfonylureas—and insulins increase the risk of people developing severely low blood sugar if they’re taking Victoza injections. To see if you’re taking one of these drugs, view our lists of meglitinides, sulfonylureas, and insulins.