Clinical decision-support only. For use by licensed dental professionals. Not a substitute for professional judgment or a complete drug reference. Always verify with primary sources.
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Medication

Dulaglutide

Antihyperglycemic (GLP-1 agonist)

Brand names: Trulicity

Oral health effects

  • Nausea/vomiting (erosion risk)

    GI upset and vomiting can contribute to erosion with frequency.

    Clinical management: Erosion counseling; caries prevention.

  • Indirect periodontal/caries risk via glycemic control

    These agents do not act directly on the mouth, but the underlying diabetes (and how well it is controlled) strongly influences periodontal disease, healing, and infection risk.

    Clinical management: Reinforce that good glycemic control supports periodontal health; coordinate care and note HbA1c.

  • Aspiration risk under deep sedation or general anesthesia

    GLP-1 agonists delay gastric emptying; the label warns of rare postmarketing reports of pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation despite standard fasting.

    Clinical management: Record GLP-1 use in the medical history and flag it to whoever provides sedation/general anesthesia for dental procedures; follow current multisociety perioperative guidance and the prescriber's advice rather than stopping the drug yourself. Routine hygiene without sedation is unaffected.

Sources

  1. Adverse drug events in the oral cavity. Yuan A, Woo SB. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2015.
  2. Dulaglutide (Trulicity) prescribing information (FDA label) Eli Lilly and Company / DailyMed, 2026.
  3. Implications of GLP-1 Agonists on Office-Based Sedation and General Anesthesia for Dentistry. McKenzie C, DeBernardo A, Schwartz P. Anesthesia progress, 2025.