Trulicity (dulaglutide) and other diabetes medications like it have become extremely popular throughout the United States. Doctors all over the country have prescribed GLP-1 medications similar to dulaglutide to help patients manage their type 2 diabetes and combat obesity. In the case of Trulicity, some of the patients are as young as 10 years old. The demand for these diabetes drugs remains extremely high. It’s been estimated that 12% of Americans have used Trulicity and similar GLP-1 agonists.
Even though many patients have achieved their health goals from taking GLP-1s, this doesn’t reflect everyone’s experiences taking these medications. Other Trulicity patients who’ve taken these drugs for diabetes and weight-related health issues have developed severe side effects and life-threatening health complications. Even if you follow your doctor’s orders, dulaglutide could cause serious medical problems.
If you experienced serious medical complications after taking dulaglutide in Atlanta, our attorneys can help you file a Trulicity lawsuit. The lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for a legal claim during a free case review.
About Trulicity (Dulaglutide)
Trulicity is the brand name of an injectable dulaglutide medication developed to help manage type 2 diabetes. It is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.
Trulicity received FDA approval for managing type 2 diabetes in 2014. It can be prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes who are as young as 10 years old. In 2020, Trulicity also received FDA approval for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes.
How Trulicity and Other Dulaglutides Work
Trulicity is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1, or sometimes GLP-1 RA).
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of satiety. GLP-1 agonists mimic this hormone, which improves blood sugar levels, slows the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine during digestion, and helps people feel satiated.
In other words, Trulicity helps you feel full for a longer amount of time, which prevents you from consuming more calories throughout the day.
Drugs That Are Similar to Trulicity
Though Trulicity has been around for many years, most people refer to GLP-1 drugs using the word “Ozempic” as a catch-all. Ozempic (semaglutide) is actually a brand name for a specific type of GLP-1 diabetes medication. Regardless, these semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide, and medications function much the same way as Trulicity.
People in the Atlanta area may recognize these other popular brand names for modern diabetes and weight loss drugs that are in high demand:
- Ozempic (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
- Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
- Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
- Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
- Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
- Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
If you took any of the above prescription drugs and suffered major health complications, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help. Our law firm can represent Metro Atlanta clients in Trulicity lawsuits or legal actions that involve the GLP-1 products listed above.
Common Side Effects from Taking Trulicity
It’s common for Trulicity patients to experience a number of mild and temporary side effects when taking the drug. These minor side effects include a lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
While these side effects can be mildly disruptive to daily routines, they are considered normal while on Trulicity and are generally tolerable to most patients.
How Long Do The Common Trulicity Side Effects Last?
Typically two to six weeks, though this can vary from patient to patient.
In most cases, these minor side effects are common when patients start taking Trulicity and other drugs similar to dulaglutide. The side effects typically subside over time as the patient gets used to taking the medication and their body adjusts to the dosage.
If these mild Trulicity side effects persist for an extended period of time or get worse, it’s important to consult your doctor about the best course of action.
Serious Health Complications Linked to Trulicity Use
Some Atlanta Trulicity patients have experienced severe side effects and medical complications even though they took dulaglutide as directed. Some of the health issues linked to the use of GLP-1 drugs and dual GIP/GLP-1 medications include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney disease, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal health problems.
When discussing Trulicity with a doctor, patients are urged to discuss their medical history in detail, including any past health issues or a family history of certain medical problems.
Gastrointestinal Health Problems Linked to Trulicity Use
In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones highlighted above, Trulicity patients have also suffered from the following serious gastrointestinal issues:
- Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – While nausea and some vomiting are normal side effects when taking dulaglutide, some patients vomit several times a day for two weeks or more. Frequent bouts of vomiting can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, irritation and injury to the esophagus, acidic erosion of the tooth enamel, and tooth loss.
- Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is a condition in which the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not push food into the small intestine for further digestion. If gastroparesis is not treated, it could contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass inside the stomach), and a host of other health problems.
- Intestinal Obstruction – An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine or part of the large intestine. Intestinal obstructions prevent food from traveling through a person’s GI tract for digestion and excretion. If an intestinal obstruction is not treated, it could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
- Bowel Obstruction – Bowel obstructions are intestinal blockages that affect the large intestine and colon. Like obstructions of the small intestine, an untreated blockage in the bowel could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis.
If a person on Trulicity develops any of these gastrointestinal problems, they need immediate hospitalization and emergency medical care. In extreme cases of intestinal or bowel obstruction, a person may need surgery and be reliant on the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. These GI health problems could be fatal without urgent medical attention.
How Common Are These Serious Health Issues from Trulicity Use?
The gastrointestinal complications listed above are rare. Many patients who have been prescribed dulaglutide have not required hospitalization or medical treatment to address the side effects they’ve experienced while on a GLP-1.
However, there are patients in the Atlanta area who have experienced serious side effects from dulaglutide even though they followed instructions to the letter. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to provide legal information and support to these people who’ve been adversely affected from taking Trulicity and similar diabetes and weight loss medications as directed.
Symptoms and Warning Signs of Gastrointestinal Problems
If you are concerned that Trulicity or another GLP-1 has caused a serious health issue, there are warning signs of GI issues. These are the most common symptoms of the medical complications we described above:
- Frequent nausea
- Excessive vomiting
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Severe abdominal discomfort
- Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of bowel movements
What to Do If You Experience Gastrointestinal Complications from Trulicity Use
If you or a family member have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, seek immediate medical attention. Do not delay. As we’ve noted, severe complications affecting the GI tract could prove fatal if they are not dealt with in a timely manner.
When you are well enough to do so, we encourage you to reach out to our Atlanta Trulicity lawsuit lawyers for a free case evaluation.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Health Problems Related to Trulicity Use?
Yes, you could potentially file a lawsuit against Eli Lilly and Company if your health or a family member’s health was negatively impacted from taking Trulicity.
While Eli Lilly and Company includes warning labels about common side effects of their dulaglutide medication, the language on the label may not have provided adequate warnings about severe health risks such as stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, bowel obstruction, or frequent and excessive vomiting.
Had patients or their parents been sufficiently warned about the possibility and severity of these rare complications, they might not have taken Trulicity in the first place.
Eligibility to File a Trulicity Lawsuit in Atlanta, GA
You may qualify for a dulaglutide lawsuit if you were prescribed Trulicity and suffered serious health complications as a result. However, the presence of certain medical conditions, past surgical procedures, or other health factors could block you from seeking compensation through legal action.
It’s important to speak with our Atlanta Trulicity lawsuit lawyers as soon as possible. Our experienced team of attorneys can discuss what happened to you, the severity of your medical condition, and determine if you are eligible to seek compensation from Eli Lilly and Company in a legal action.
How Much Can I Win in a Trulicity Lawsuit?
The answer to this will vary from patient to patients based on a variety of factors. The total amount of damages you could receive will depend on your experiences while taking Trulicity and the medical problems that developed. Because of the variables involved, we cannot provide any sort of estimate without first reviewing your case.
As part of the free case review, our tirzepatide lawsuit attorneys can discuss the physical harm, lasting difficulties, and financial losses you experienced from taking Trulicity. We can then discuss what that could mean for the value of your legal claim.
Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Trulicity Lawsuit
The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are nationwide leaders in complex, high-stakes litigation. Since 2008, our law firm has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in large lawsuits. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
With law offices in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, our firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.
In addition to offering free case evaluations, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our attorneys anything unless we can recover money for you.
How Can I Learn More About Filing a Trulicity Lawsuit?
If you or someone you care about has experienced severe medical complications after taking dulaglutide drugs, contact our Trulicity lawyers serving Metro Atlanta about filing a legal claim. Our GLP-1 attorneys can determine if you qualify for a lawsuit during a free case review.
Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.