For millions of Americans relying on Trulicity to manage their type 2 diabetes, unexpected complications have turned their lives upside down. This class of medication is alleged to be associated with severe gastrointestinal side effects, like gastroparesis and small bowel obstruction. If you or a loved one have suffered severe side effects from this drug, you’re not alone.
What is Trulicity?
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a prescription medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. It is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug class (these drugs help your body make more insulin, reduce how much sugar your liver releases, and slow digestion so you feel full longer after eating). The drug is administered via a once-weekly injection and is primarily prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes. Trulicity was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2014. According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 38.4 million U.S. citizens had diabetes in 2021- most of whom had type 2 diabetes – accounting for approximately 11.6% of the population.
Trulicity and Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis)
GLP medications, like Trulicity, are known to cause delays in gastric emptying. Gastroparesis is a serious stomach condition in which food moves too slowly from the stomach to the small intestine. In severe cases, food may stop altogether in the intestine, and food that stays undigested in the body may harden in the stomach.
Symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Severe dehydration
- Acid reflux
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
Stomach paralysis can lead to medical complications such as:
- Dehydration from excessive vomiting
- Malnutrition
- Difficulty controlling blood sugar level
- Low-calorie intake
- Bezoars (solid mass of food in the stomach preventing digestion)
- Blockage from bezoars
- Ulcers from bezoars
- Internal bleeding from bezoars
- Diminished quality of life
Gastroparesis Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors can conduct various tests to diagnose stomach paralysis in patients suffering from the above-listed symptoms. Such tests include:
- Gastric emptying tests (tests how fast the stomach empties)
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (examination of the stomach via a tiny camera on a tube)
- Ultrasound
After a gastroparesis diagnosis, doctors work with their patients on the best course of action to treat the condition. A few methods to alleviate symptoms are:
- Diet
- Medication to stimulate stomach muscles
- Medication to control vomiting and nausea
- Surgical procedure to place a feeding tube
- Electrical stimulation in the stomach to move food
Trulicity & Ileus
While Trulicity is meant to help people manage their weight by making them feel fuller and reduce food cravings, Trulicity has been alleged to cause Ileus and small bowel obstructions.
Ileus is a condition where your intestine can’t push food and waste out of your body. It is much like a traffic jam where there is congestion, but not a physical blockage.
Symptoms of Ileus and small bowel obstructions include:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Stomach cramps
- Watery stools
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
While the manufacturers of Trulicity warned patients of numerous side effects associated with the drug, there were no warnings for ileus prior to 2023.
Ileus Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors conduct several tests to diagnose ileus such as:
- Blood tests to measure electrolyte and mineral levels
- Imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans
- Barium enema to check for abnormalities
- Barium “milkshake” to follow the path of the drink as it goes through your small/upper intestine
Treatment for ileus and small bowel obstruction often starts with giving your intestines time to rest by avoiding food and drink for 1–3 days. Doctors may adjust medications that could be contributing to the issue, like strong painkillers. Other treatments can include IV fluids to prevent dehydration, medications to help restart intestinal movement (prokinetics), or using a tube through the nose or rectum to relieve pressure from gas and fluid buildup. In some cases, electrical stimulation or simply sitting upright can help. If these steps don’t work, surgery might be needed, including procedures like inserting a stent, removing the affected section, or creating an ostomy.
Trulicity & NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy)
Non-arteritic anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) refers to the loss of blood flow to the optic nerve. This is the “cable” that connects the eye to the brain. This condition often causes sudden vision loss in one eye. It is common for a patient to notice this upon waking in the morning. NAION is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. It’s diagnosed through an eye exam and tests to rule out other causes. There’s no proven treatment—steroids have shown unclear results—and glasses don’t help. It rarely returns in the same eye but may affect the other in about 30% of cases. Managing health conditions and avoiding nighttime blood pressure meds may lower risk.
Trulicity Lawsuit
Litigation for Trulicity stomach paralysis lawsuits is currently in the early stages. Many cases are being consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) to streamline pretrial proceedings, such as discovery and settlement negotiations. These lawsuits claim that Trulicity and similar GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Mounjaro) caused severe side effects like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), with patients alleging that manufacturers failed to adequately warn about the risks. As the lawsuits progress, further developments will determine liability and compensation for affected individuals.
Other Stomach Paralysis Lawsuits
- Ozempic Lawsuit
- Mounjaro Lawsuit
- Rybelsus Lawsuit
- Wegovy Lawsuit
- Zepbound Lawsuit
Questions About a Trulicity Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review
If you took Trulicity and are experiencing a diminished quality of life, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new cases nationwide involving Trulicity, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please use the form below to contact us or call (800) 279-6386. We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry.
Free Case Evaluation
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.