Dulaglutide is a prescription injectable medicine used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, usually added to diet and exercise. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is sold under the brand name Trulicity (and in some markets as a generic).
What it does
- Mimics the natural incretin hormone GLP-1.
- Stimulates insulin release when blood sugar is high.
- Suppresses glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar).
- Slows gastric emptying and can reduce appetite, which may help with weight loss.
How it’s given
- Route: Subcutaneous injection.
- Schedule: Once weekly, any day of the week, with or without meals.
- Common dose range (brand pens come in strengths that let you start and adjust):
- Start at 0.75 mg once weekly.
- After about 4 weeks, may increase to 1.5 mg weekly.
- If needed for better control, can go up to 3.0 mg weekly (this is the typical maximum recommended dose).
- Injection sites: Abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites with each dose.
- Storage: Unopened vials/pens usually refrigerated until first use; after first use, stored at room temperature (not above 25°C/77°F) for up to about 14 days, and should be kept away from light. Do not freeze.
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; can lessen over time.
- Decreased appetite, weight loss.
- Injection-site reactions (redness, itching).
- Headache or dizziness.
Serious but less common risks to know
- Pancreatitis (severe persistent stomach pain, with or without vomiting).
- Gallbladder disease.
- Acute kidney injury (dehydration from GI side effects or other causes).
- Thyroid C-cell tumors in animals; relevance to humans is unknown. Not recommended if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) risk increases if used with insulin or certain other diabetes meds.
- Allergic reactions (seek urgent care if you have severe swelling, trouble breathing, or hives).
Other notes
- Dulaglutide may have cardiovascular benefits in adults with type 2 diabetes (evidence mainly from the REWIND trial).
- It’s not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- If you take oral medicines, some may be absorbed more slowly because dulaglutide slows gastric emptying. Your clinician might adjust timing of other meds.
Pregnancy/lactation
- Not recommended during pregnancy; discuss contraception and alternative treatment if you’re planning pregnancy or become pregnant. Safety in lactation isn’t fully established.
If you’d like, tell me:
- Are you asking about starting dulaglutide, choosing a dose, or managing side effects?
- Any other meds you’re taking (to discuss interactions) or medical conditions (kidney/liver disease, pancreatitis, thyroid history)?
- Your goal (glycemic control, weight management, CV risk reduction)?
I can tailor a concise, step-by-step summary or help interpret a prescription label.