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dulaglutide · Eli Lilly

Trulicity at a glance

Weekly dulaglutide injection for type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 and older. Facts from the FDA label, laid out the same way for every medicine.

Clinician review pending Updated
Approved for
T2D
type 2 diabetes
Starting dose
0.75 mg
once weekly
Highest dose
4.5 mg
on the label
Missed dose
until 3 days
label rule

What it's approved for

  • Improving blood sugar control in people 10 and older with type 2 diabetes
  • Reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes with heart disease or multiple risk factors

How it works

It mimics GLP-1 and is fused to a larger protein so it lasts a week in the body.

Trulicity has a half-life of about 5 days.

Dose steps on the label

Increase after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. Maintenance: 0.75 mg to 4.5 mg once weekly.

0.75 mg4 weeks1.5 mg4 weeks3 mg4 weeks4.5 mgongoing

What the main trials found

AWARD program: A1C fell about 0.8 to 1.6 points depending on dose and background therapy, with modest weight loss.

Most common side effects

Side effectTrulicityPlacebo
Nausea12% to 21%5%
Diarrhea9% to 13%7%
Vomiting6% to 13%2%
Stomach pain7% to 9%5%
Decreased appetite5% to 9%2%
Heartburn and indigestion4% to 6%2%

Placebo-controlled trials in the Trulicity label (0.75 mg and 1.5 mg). See all side effects.

Boxed warningRisk of thyroid C-cell tumors. In rodent studies these medicines caused thyroid C-cell tumors. It isn't known whether they cause them in people, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Don't use them if you or a family member has had MTC, or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Cost snapshot

OptionPer monthPer yearNote
List price$986$12,818List price per 4-week supply, before insurance

Compiled mid-2026 from manufacturer announcements; re-checked monthly. All savings options.

Everything about Trulicity

Dosage

Every dose step, timing and the maximum

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Side effects

How common each one is vs placebo

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Cost and savings

List price, self-pay and savings cards

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Insurance coverage

Prior authorization and appeals

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Missed dose

What the label says to do

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Storage

Fridge, room temperature and travel

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How to take it

Step by step, from the label

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Warnings

Boxed warning and who shouldn't use it

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Explainer · 0:23

1 · THE GUT HORMONE GLP-1 the medicine copies it and lasts for days 2 · SLOWER EMPTYING full sooner, full for longer 3 · THE BRAIN lowhigh HUNGER 4 · BLOOD SUGAR blood sugar after a meal + insulin withoutwith GLP-1 tirzepatide: + GIP 0:23 · voiced · captions on
After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
0:00 / 0:23
How GLP-1 medicines work
Read the transcript
  1. After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
  2. It slows how fast your stomach empties, so you feel full sooner and stay full for longer.
  3. It also acts on appetite centers in the brain, which quiets hunger and constant thoughts about food.
  4. When blood sugar is high, it helps the pancreas release insulin. Tirzepatide also acts on a second gut hormone, GIP.

Compare Trulicity

Zepbound vs TrulicityWegovy vs TrulicityOzempic vs TrulicityMounjaro vs TrulicityWegovy pill vs TrulicityRybelsus vs TrulicitySaxenda vs TrulicityTrulicity vs Victoza

Common questions

What is Trulicity?

Trulicity is dulaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Eli Lilly. It's a once weekly injection.

What is the starting dose of Trulicity?

The label starts at 0.75 mg, 4 weeks first. Increase after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.

What is the highest dose of Trulicity?

The highest dose on the label is 4.5 mg once weekly.

Is Trulicity approved for weight loss?

No. Trulicity is approved for type 2 diabetes. Some people lose weight on it, but that isn't an approved use.

What if I miss a dose of Trulicity?

If the next scheduled dose is at least 3 days (72 hours) away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Otherwise skip it.

Sources

  1. Trulicity prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed)

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error

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