Generic name: dulaglutide [ doo-la-GLOO-tide ]
Brand name: Trulicity
Drug class: Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 23, 2023.

Uses for dulaglutide

Dulaglutide injection is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Dulaglutide is used together with diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar. This medicine also lowers the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with diabetes and heart or blood vessel problems.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using dulaglutide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dulaglutide injection in children younger than 10 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dulaglutide injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abiraterone Acetate
• Acetohexamide
• Chloroquine
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorpropamide
• Chlorthalidone
• Ciprofloxacin
• Delafloxacin
• Enoxacin
• Furosemide
• Gatifloxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Gliclazide
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Gliquidone
• Glyburide
• Grepafloxacin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Indapamide
• Lanreotide
• Levofloxacin
• Lomefloxacin
• Metolazone
• Moxifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Octreotide
• Ofloxacin
• Pasireotide
• Polythiazide
• Somatrogon-ghla
• Sparfloxacin
• Thioctic Acid
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Triamterene
• Trovafloxacin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Esmolol
• Insulin
• Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
• Insulin Bovine
• Insulin Degludec
• Insulin Detemir
• Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
• Insulin Glulisine
• Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Pindolol
• Practolol
• Propranolol
• Semaglutide
• Sotalol
• Timolol

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (ketones in the blood) or
• Type 1 diabetes—Should not be used in patients with these conditions. Insulin is needed to control these conditions.

• Diabetic retinopathy, history of or
• Kidney disease or
• Thyroid tumor—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Gastroparesis (stomach does not empty food normally), severe or
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or
• Medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer), personal or family history of or
• Stomach or bowel disease, severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), history of—It is not known if this medicine will be safe in patients with this condition.

Proper use of dulaglutide

When you start using this medicine, it is very important that you check your blood sugar often, especially before and after meals and at bedtime. This will help lower the chance of having very low blood sugar.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

You will be using dulaglutide at home. Your doctor will teach you how the injections are to be given. Be sure you understand exactly how the medicine is to be injected.

This medicine is given as a shot under the skin of your stomach, thighs, or upper arm. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

If you use this medicine with insulin, do not mix them into the same syringe. It is acceptable to inject this medicine and insulin in the same body area, but the shots should not be right next to each other.

Allow the medicine to warm at room temperature before you inject it. If the medicine in the pen has changed color, looks cloudy, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.

Use a new needle each time you inject your medicine.

This medicine also works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to use the doses at the same day each week.

Never share medicine pens with others under any circumstances. It is not safe for one pen to be used for more than one person. Sharing needles or pens can result in transmission of infection.

Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For diabetes mellitus:
    • Adults—At first, 0.75 milligram (mg) injected under the skin once a week. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and until your blood sugar is controlled. However, dose is usually not more than 4.5 mg once a week.
    • Children 10 years of age and older—At first, 0.75 milligram (mg) injected under the skin once a week. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and until your blood sugar is controlled. However, dose is usually not more than 1.5 mg once a week after at least 4 weeks on the 0.75 mg dosage.
    • Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible within 3 days after your missed dose. If you miss a dose by more than 3 days, wait until your next regular weekly dose.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store your new, unused medicine pen or prefilled syringe in the refrigerator, in the original carton, and protect it from light. Do not freeze this medicine, and do not use the medicine if it has been frozen. You may store the opened medicine pen or prefilled syringe in the refrigerator, or at room temperature for up to 14 days.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through (puncture-resistant). Keep this container away from children and pets.

Precautions while using dulaglutide

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

It is very important to carefully follow any instructions from your health care team about:

• Alcohol—Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
• Other medicines—Do not take other medicines during the time you are using dulaglutide unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
• Counseling—Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, diabetic patients may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur because of lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise and diet. Furthermore, counseling on contraception and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur during pregnancy in patients with diabetes.
• Travel—Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
• In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a mass in the neck, difficulty with swallowing, hoarseness, or trouble breathing. These may be symptoms of a serious thyroid problem.

Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue, skin rash, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, or large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs.

Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, decreased urination, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, increase in heart rate, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, sunken eyes, thirst, unusual tiredness or weakness, or wrinkled skin. These may be symptoms of a kidney problem.

This medicine does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, low blood sugar can occur when you use dulaglutide with other medicines that can lower blood sugar, including insulin, metformin, or a sulfonylurea. Low blood sugar also can occur if you delay or miss a meal or snack, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting.

• Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool, pale skin, difficulty with thinking, drowsiness, excessive hunger, a fast heartbeat, headache (continuing), nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes, or drink fruit juice, non-diet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water to relieve the symptoms. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Glucagon is used in emergency situations when severe symptoms, including seizures (convulsions) or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe and needle, and know how to use it. Members of your family also should know how to use it.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur if you do not take enough or skip a dose of your antidiabetic medicine, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or do not exercise as much as usual.

• Symptoms of high blood sugar include blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushed, dry skin, fruit-like breath odor, increased urination (frequency and amount), ketones in the urine, loss of appetite, stomachache, nausea, or vomiting, tiredness, trouble breathing (rapid and deep), unconsciousness, or unusual thirst.
• If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your doctor for instructions.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any changes to your eyes, such as blurred vision or vision changes while you are using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an eye doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you have gaseous stomach pain, indigestion, recurrent fever, severe nausea or vomiting, stomach fullness, or yellow eyes or skin. These may be symptoms of gallbladder problems (eg, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of dulaglutide

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Gaseous stomach pain
• indigestion
• severe nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain or fullness
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• change in urination
• chest tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• cough
• decreased urine output
• depression
• diarrhea
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• hives, itching, skin rash
• hoarseness
• hostility
• increased hunger
• irritability
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
• lethargy
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• lump in the neck
• muscle twitching
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• rapid weight gain
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• seizures
• severe constipation
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• sunken eyes
• swelling of the eyes or inside of the nose
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• trouble breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• wrinkled skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• decreased appetite
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• heartburn
• lack or loss of strength
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Trulicity

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antidiabetic

Pharmacologic Class: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist

Frequently asked questions

• Does Trulicity cause weight loss?
• Does Trulicity need to be refrigerated?
• How do you use/inject Trulicity?
• Can Trulicity be injected cold?
• Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
• How does Trulicity work?
• Is Trulicity a form of insulin?
• Does dulaglutide cause weight loss?
• What is dulaglutide used for and how does it work?

View more FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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