Dulaglutide
Pronunciation: DOO-la-GLOO-tide
Generic name: dulaglutide
Brand name: Trulicity
Dosage form: single-use pen injection for subcutaneous use (0.75 mg/0.5 mL, 1.5 mg/0.5 mL, 3 mg/0.5 mL, 4.5 mg/0.5 mL)
Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
What is dulaglutide?
Dulaglutide (brand name Trulicity) is an injectable diabetes medicine that is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Dulaglutide is also used to help reduce the risk of serious heart problems such as heart attack or stroke in adults who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Dulaglutide is not approved as a weight loss drug, but some people may lose weight while using it. Dulaglutide belongs to the drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which includes other medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Ryebelsus, Victoza, Saxenda, and Byetta.
- For more information, see Trulicity vs Ozempic or Trulicity vs Mounjaro.
Dulaglutide's mechanism of action involves mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, that your body makes after eating. GLP-1 helps control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin when needed, reducing glucose production in the liver, slowing digestion, and decreasing appetite. Unlike your body's natural GLP-1 which works for minutes, dulaglutide lasts a week, which means dulaglutide injections only need to be given 1 time a week.
Dulaglutide gained FDA approval on September 18, 2014, under the brand name Trulicity. There is no dulaglutide generic, it is only available under the brand name Trulicity.
Dulaglutide side effects
The most common side effects of dulaglutide are:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- stomach (abdominal) pain
- decreased appetite.
Serious side effects and warnings
Dulaglutide carries a Boxed Warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rats, but it is unknown whether dulaglutide would cause this type of cancer in humans.
Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. In studies with rats or mice, dulaglutide and medicines that work like dulaglutide caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if dulaglutide will cause thyroid tumors, or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.
- Do not use dulaglutide if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using dulaglutide and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk of getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use dulaglutide with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
- dizziness or light-headedness
- sweating
- confusion or drowsiness
- headache
- blurred vision
- slurred speech
- shakiness
- fast heartbeat
- anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
- hunger
- weakness
- feeling jittery.
Serious allergic reactions. Stop using dulaglutide and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including:
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
- problems breathing or swallowing
- severe rash or itching
- fainting or feeling dizzy
- very rapid heartbeat.
Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration) which may cause kidney problems to get worse.
Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Trulicity. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.
Vision changes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with dulaglutide.
Gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take dulaglutide. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include:
- pain in your upper stomach (abdomen)
- fever
- yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- clay-colored stools.
Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Dulaglutide may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking dulaglutide before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
Do not use this medicine if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
Dulaglutide is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Dulaglutide has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Other treatments for type 2 diabetes should be considered.
These are not all the possible side effects of dulaglutide. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Before taking
You should not use dulaglutide if you are allergic to dulaglutide, dulaglutide, or any of the inactive ingredients in the dulaglutide pen. In addition, do not use if you have:
-
multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands)
-
a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer).
-
diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions before starting dulaglutide, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys or liver
- have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis), problems with digesting food, or severe stomach problems
- have a history of diabetic retinopathy
- have type 1 diabetes
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Dulaglutide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old with type 2 diabetes. For cardiovascular risk reduction, it is only approved for adults 18 years and older.
Pregnancy
It is not known if dulaglutide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using dulaglutide.
Breastfeeding
It is not known if dulaglutide passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you should breastfeed while taking dulaglutide.
How should I use dulaglutide?
Read the Instructions for Use that come with the Trulicity Package Insert. Use dulaglutide exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
Use dulaglutide 1 time each week on the same day each week, at any time of the day.
- You may change the day of the week as long as your last dose was given 3 or more days before.
- Dulaglutide may be taken with or without food.
Dulaglutide is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.
- Your healthcare provider will teach you how to inject dulaglutide yourself, or you can have a caregiver give it to you.
Do not mix insulin and dulaglutide together in the same injection.
- You may give an injection of dulaglutide and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not right next to each other.
- Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.
What happens if I miss a dose of dulaglutide?
If you miss a dose of dulaglutide, take the missed dose as soon as possible if there are at least 3 days (72 hours) until your next scheduled dose.
If there are less than 3 days remaining, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take 2 doses of dulaglutide within 3 days of each other.
What happens if I take too much dulaglutide?
If you take too much dulaglutide, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What happens if I develop low blood sugar on dulaglutide?
You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).
Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.
Blood sugar levels can be affected by other medications (such as insulin or sulfonylureas for diabetes), stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.
Also, watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.
Dulaglutide dosing information
Usual Adult Dulaglutide Dose for Diabetes Type 2
Initial dose: dulaglutide 0.75 mg subcutaneously once a week.
- The dose may be increased to 1.5 from 0.75, then in 1.5 mg increments for additional glycemic control; patients should remain on 3 mg 1 time a week dose for at least 4 weeks before increasing the dose to 4.5 mg once a week.
Maintenance dose: 0.75 to 4.5 mg subcutaneously once a week.
Maximum dose: 4.5 mg weekly.
Usual Child 10 years and Older Dulaglutide Dose for Diabetes Type 2
Initial dose: dulaglutide 0.75 mg subcutaneously once a week.
- The dose may be increased to 1.5 mg once weekly after at least 4 weeks on the 0.75 mg dosage.
Maintenance dose: 0.75 to 1.5 mg subcutaneously once a week.
Maximum dose: 1.5 mg weekly.
Usual Adult Dulaglutide Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction:
Initial dose: dulaglutide 0.75 mg subcutaneously once a week
- The dose may be increased to 1.5 from 0.75, then in 1.5 mg increments for additional glycemic control; patients should remain on 3 mg 1 time a week dose for at least 4 weeks before increasing the dose to 4.5 mg once a week.
Maintenance dose: 0.75 to 4.5 mg subcutaneously once a week.
Maximum dose: 4.5 mg weekly.
What should I avoid while using dulaglutide?
Never share an injection pen or prefilled syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.
What other drugs will affect dulaglutide?
Other drugs may interact with dulaglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Dulaglutide can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.
Other medications for diabetes, such as insulin and sulfonylureas, may increase the risk for low blood sugar levels with dulaglutide.
This is not a full list of drug interactions. See the Trulicity Prescribing Information for a full list.
How do I store dulaglutide?
Store dulaglutide Pens in the refrigerator, protected from light. Do not use past the expiration date on the medicine label. Do not freeze this medicine, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.
You may also store dulaglutide Pens at room temperature for up to 14 days before use.
Each injection pen or prefilled syringe is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Dulaglutide ingredients
Active ingredient: dulaglutide.
Inactive ingredients: citric acid anhydrous, mannitol, polysorbate 80, trisodium citrate dihydrate, in water for injection.
Dulaglutide is available as:
- 0.75 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose pen
- 1.5 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose pen
- 3 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose pen
- 4.5 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose pen.
Who makes dulaglutide?
Eli Lilly and Company makes dulaglutide under the brand name Trulicity.
Dulaglutide Biosimilars
Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.
Reference products
These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for dulaglutide.
Trulicity (dulaglutide) - Eli Lilly and Company
Formulation type | Strength |
---|---|
Autoinjector | 0.75 mg/0.5 mL |
Autoinjector | 1.5 mg/0.5 mL |
Autoinjector | 3 mg/0.5 mL |
Autoinjector | 4.5 mg/0.5 mL |
Pre-Filled Syringe | 0.75 mg/0.5 mL Discontinued |
Pre-Filled Syringe | 1.5 mg/0.5 mL Discontinued |
View Trulicity information in detail.
Popular FAQ
Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
Trulicity and Ozempic are both injectable medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide, and for Ozempic, it is semaglutide. While Trulicity and Ozempic belong to the same drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists and have the same mechanism of action, they differ in their structure, the way they are processed by the body and their clinical effects. Research has shown that Ozempic is more effective than Trulicity in lowering blood sugar levels and decreasing weight, but lower dosages of Ozempic may have a higher risk of side effects compared to lower dosages of Trulicity. Continue reading
Does Trulicity cause weight loss?
Trulicity is not a weight loss drug, but some people may lose weight. People lost, on average, two to six pounds while taking Trulicity. However, 15 to 30% gained weight. Continue reading
Does Trulicity need to be refrigerated?
Trulicity should be stored in a refrigerator until you need to use it.
You can leave Trulicity out of a refrigerator for up to 14 days and still use it. Continue reading
Trulicity and diet: What foods should you avoid?
There are no specific foods you must avoid, but stomach side effects are common when you first start taking Trulicity. Adjusting your eating patterns and food choices may help you manage these side effects. For example, you might try avoiding large meals, eating more slowly and avoiding fatty, fried or spicy foods. Also, limit sugar intake, caffeine, and alcohol consumption. Continue reading
How do you use/inject Trulicity?
To use the Trulicity Pen remove the cap of the pen and hold the pen straight up and down on the skin before pushing the green injection button. You should hear a click, followed by a second click, 10 to 15 seconds later once the injection has finished.
Trulicity is injected under the skin once a week into the thigh, stomach area, or upper arm. Continue reading
Can Trulicity be injected cold?
Trulicity may be injected straight out of the fridge (while it is still cold) but it is more likely to sting. Allow Trulicity at least 30 minutes to warm up to room temperature first so that it is less likely to sting. Continue reading
Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
Trulicity can be used with insulin, but because the combination of Trulicity and insulin increases the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), the dosage of insulin may need to be reduced. Continue reading
How does Trulicity work?
Trulicity mimics the action of GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate blood glucose levels. It binds to GLP-1 receptors, stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion from the liver. It also slows stomach emptying. Continue reading
Is Trulicity a form of insulin?
Trulicity is not a form of insulin, it mimics the effects of GLP-1 a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin secretion. Trulicity is only suitable for people with type 2 diabetes who still have functioning insulin-producing cells in their pancreas. Continue reading
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