Weight Loss Meds
Trulicity Weight Loss
Jan
More doses. More weight loss.3
Trulicity is not indicated for weight loss.
In clinical trials with primary endpoint ranging from 26 to 52 weeks, weight change was a secondary endpoint. Mean weight change from baseline ranged from +0.4 lb to -10.1 lb for 0.75 mg dose to 4.5 mg dose respectively.3,4
Mean weight change from baseline at 36 weeks
Trulicity 1.5 mg (n=612; mean baseline wt: 210.6 lb); Trulicity 3.0 mg (n=616; mean
baseline wt: 212.3 lb); Trulicity 4.5 mg (n=614; mean baseline wt: 210.4 lb)
WHAT IS TRULICITY®?
WHAT IS TRULICITY®?
One of the numerous GLP-1 drugs that Calibrate doctors have recommended as part of Calibrate’s One-Year Metabolic Reset is this once-weekly injectable prescription.
Semaglutide (marketed under the trade names Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus®; all made by Novo Nordisk) and liraglutide (marketed under the trade names Saxenda® and Victoza®) are two additional GLP-1s that Calibrate prescribes.
Eli-Lilly and Company, an American pharmaceutical firm, produces Trulicity®.
In 2014, the FDA authorized Trulicity® as a type 2 diabetes medication for people who will also need to make lifestyle modifications.
CAN YOU USE TRULICITY® FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Individuals with higher baseline BMIs lost the greatest weight when taking Trulicity at increasing doses. According to the authors’ findings, patients across all BMI groupings saw equal mean percentage weight losses, with those
Like all other GLP-1 drugs, how well Trulicity works for weight loss will depend on how well you’re able to incorporate lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications and exercise.
Calibrate uses proven methods for long-term results—the latest science, FDA-approved medication, one-on-one doctor visits, and accountability coaching—for weight loss of 15% or more.
With Calibrate, members benefit from comprehensive, one-on-one support and coaching that spans four key areas: Food intake, exercise, sleep, and emotional health. These are what we call our Four Pillars of Metabolic Health.
Throughout your Calibrate year, you’ll apply these pillars by making small changes to your daily routine. Small, sustained lifestyle changes combined with GLP-1 medication, a support team, and a science-backed curriculum all come together to make metabolic health achievable.
HOW DOES TRULICITY® WORK?
Trulicity®, like other GLP-1 drugs, works by mimicking the natural incretin hormones that your body produces.
This results in a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters which effectively communicate feelings of satiety (feeling full) and slow down the rate at which food leaves your stomach (making you feel fuller for longer).
In addition, GLP-1 medications can improve blood sugar levels in people living with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. As explained on the brand’s website, Trulicity® “helps your pancreas release insulin in response to high levels of sugar in your blood after you eat” and “can limit how much sugar gets into your blood from your liver.”
If you’re worried about hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), rest assured that GLP-1 medications pose a relatively small risk. Hypoglycemia is typically only a concern when GLP-1s are used in conjunction with other diabetes medications such as insulin.
As one 2015 study evaluating Trulicity® concluded, “The long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists improve glycemic control and help to promote weight loss. Furthermore, based on their glucose-dependent mechanism of action, the GLP-1 receptor agonists have a low risk for hypoglycemia.”
How to take Trulicity® for weight loss
Taking Trulicity® is easy. Even if you’re intimidated by an injectable medication, the pen is designed to be simple to use and relatively painless. Better yet, Trulicity® can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, and only needs to be injected once per week. Your doctor will provide thorough instructions to make self-injection easy and stress-free.
Trulicity® is available in prefilled pens in the following doses:
- 0.75 milligrams (mg) pen
- 1.5 mg pen
- 3.0 mg pen
- 4.5 mg pen
Trulicity® may be prescribed alongside other diabetes medications like metformin and insulin. Talk to your doctor to learn more about possible drug interactions with Trulicity®.
Trulicity® side effects
The most common side effects of Trulicity® include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. Other side effects may include:
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
The good news is that, in most cases, these side effects will go away between 3-4 weeks after starting the medication.
According to the manufacturer, “8% to 29% using Trulicity® experienced some nausea, which typically occurred during the first 2 to 3 days after they took their first dose.”
“Nausea generally subsided after the first 2 weeks, but some people experienced nausea with Trulicity® beyond their second week of treatment. Less than 2% needed to stop taking Trulicity® because of nausea.”
If you’re experiencing side effects at the start of your One-Year Metabolic Reset, know that they are temporary, and don’t stop taking your medication. It’s important to stick to your dosing schedule to give your body a chance to acclimate.
Here are some tips for reducing nausea and stomach discomfort with Trulicity®:
- Eat blander foods
- Refrain from eating fatty, processed, or greasy foods
- Eat smaller meals or stick to smaller portion sizes
- Do your best to stay active
If you have severe abdominal pain (which is very uncommon), contact your healthcare provider right away.
