How Long Does Trulicity Stay in Your System? Definitive Guide

Suffering from diabetes for the long term? Then the term “Trulicity” might be familiar to you. If you are a diabetic patient, then probably you are taking Trulicity for a long time. You might be wondering when you should use it and how long does Trulicity stay in your system. If you’re thinking about one of these questions, you’re not the one.

So, how long does Trulicity stay in your system?

Trulicity has a half-life of five days. So, it takes 5 days to eliminate half of the total volume. Normally, it takes 5 half-lives to eliminate from your body. As a result, Trulicity will stay nearly 25 days in your system after your last dose.

A single paragraph is not enough to provide your answer. As a result, an entire article has been written about it!

So, without further delay, let’s jump right in.

Table of Content

What is Trulicity?

Trulicity is the brand-name used for dulaglutide. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and it works in our body by activating the GLP-1 receptor.

It is a brand name medication prescribed for type 2 diabetic patients. It is a non-insulin option that helps your body to release insulin.

Trulicity is typically used for:

Lowering Blood Sugar Levels:

Trulicity is mainly used to lower blood sugar levels. Doctors also suggest exercise and an improved diet to help control blood sugar levels.

Reducing The Risk of Certain Cardiovascular Diseases:

Trulicity is prescribed for adults who have known cardiovascular disease or who have more than one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

It reduces heart attacks and strokes that do not lead to death.

Trulicity is not prescribed for children, gestational diabetes, and breastfeeding women. According to research, there is a risk to the fetus during pregnancy.

Foods to Avoid With Trulicity

There are not many foods that need to be avoided while taking Trulicity. But for healthy living certain foods are to be cut off. They include:

Added Sugars

Added sugars come in different forms and it might be quite confusing.

Manufacturers use different names in their ingredient list, like molasses, maple syrup, turbinado sugar, corn syrup, raw sugar, coconut sugar, etc.

You may find added sugars in places you wouldn’t expect to find them. Foods like bread, tomato sauce, nut butter, and non-dairy milk contain added sugar.

Alcohol

Diabetic patients may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) depending on the amount and type of alcohol consumed.

Having alcohol on an empty stomach may cause hypoglycemia. On the other hand, alcoholic beverages with juice might cause hyperglycemia.

For staying on the safe side, check blood sugar levels before and after you drink alcohol.

Trulicity Withdrawal Symptoms

There are no known withdrawal symptoms from stopping it suddenly. You may find a rise in your blood sugar level a bit after you stop taking it.

If you want to stop using Trulicity, contact your doctor.

Trulicity Complaints

Like other drugs, Trulicity can cause mild to serious side effects. The side effects may occur depending upon your-

Age
Other health conditions.
Other drugs you take.

Mild side effects include:

Fatigue
Indigestion
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss
Injection site reactions, causing rash or pain
Burping
Decreased appetite.

Most of these minor side effects should subside within a few days or weeks. Consult your doctor right away if they appear severe or do not go away.

Serious side effects include:

Low blood sugar level
Pancreatitis
Kidney functioning problem
Allergic reaction
Diabetic Retinopathy complications
Risk of thyroid cancer
Severe digestive problem.

Trulicity Fatigue

Fatigue with trulicity normally varies from person to person and it is uncommon.

It usually disappears after a few days or weeks. However, if you are tired and have a kidney problem, you should see a doctor.

Trulicity Overdose Symptoms

Do not take more Trulicity than recommended doses. Taking more than the recommended dose may lead to serious side effects. The symptoms include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Hypoglycemia
Decreased appetite
Abdominal pain

Trulicity And Caffeine

Caffeine is known as a natural stimulant. That is, it increases our alertness and energy levels to keep us from becoming tired. It is derived from tea leaves, coffee beans, cacao plants, and other sources.

Trulicity, as mentioned already, is used to lower blood sugar levels. As a result, it is a natural hormone that regulates blood glucose levels.

Drug interactions between Trulicity and Caffeine include:

Chronic kidney disease
Headache
Anger
Abdominal discomfort
Swelling of joints
Swelling in the periphery
Crying
Upper abdominal pain
Depression
Irritability

How to Get Trulicity Out of Your System

Trulicity will slowly leave your system, once you stop taking its doses. Since Trulicity has a half-life of 5 days, it takes 5 days to clear half of the dose you have taken.

Normally, a full dose of the drug takes 5 to 6 half-lives to be eliminated from your body, which is about 25-27 days.

How long does Trulicity Stay in Your System?

Trulicity starts working to treat your type 2 diabetes as soon as you inject it.

But, it takes weeks to show results. Generally, it takes about four weeks before noticing changes in your glucose level.

For the full result, it might take a bit of time. Your blood sugar level will be kept under control.

FAQs

Can you take trulicity and metformin together?

Yes, you can. Some people withType 2 diabetes may need both Trulicity and metformin to keep their blood sugar levels under control. It is completely safe to take trulicity and metformin simultaneously with a doctor’s approval.

Is it safe to stop taking trulicity?

Normally, there are no side effects of quitting trulicity. There may be a temporary rise in your blood sugar if you stop taking it. Before discontinuing the use of trulicity, consult your doctor.

What happens if you skip a week of Trulicity?

There is no side effect of skipping trulicity for a week. You have to take trulicity once a week. If you skip a dose and it’s more than 72 hours left before taking the scheduled next dose, you may take the missed dose immediately. If it is less than 72 hours left then skip the dose. Take no more than one dose at a time.

When is the most appropriate time to use Trulicity?

Trulicity can be taken at any time. But it’s better to take Trulicity on the same days each week.

Is it necessary for me to keep Trulicity in the fridge?

Yes, you have to store them in the refrigerator from 2°C to 8°C. You can leave trulicity out of the refrigerator, at room temperature 30°C for no more than 14 days. Also, make sure to keep the trulicity warm-up for 30 minutes before using it.