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What Is Dulaglutide?

Dulaglutide is a prescription glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and the active ingredient in Trulicity. It is used with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. In adults with type 2 diabetes, it also reduces major cardiovascular events in specified higher-risk patients.

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What Is Dulaglutide?

Dulaglutide is a prescription glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and the active ingredient in Trulicity. It is used with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. In adults with type 2 diabetes, it also reduces major cardiovascular events in specified higher-risk patients.

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How Does Dulaglutide Affect Blood Glucose?

Dulaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells. This increases glucose-dependent insulin release, decreases glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying. The glucose-dependent nature of its insulin effect helps explain why low blood glucose risk rises when dulaglutide is combined with insulin or an insulin secretagogue.

Who Is Treated With Dulaglutide?

Dulaglutide is used for type 2 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients age 10 and older alongside diet and exercise. In adults with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors, it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke.

How Is Dulaglutide Dosed?

Adults start with 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. After at least four weeks, the dose can increase to 1.5 mg, with later 1.5 mg increases at intervals of at least four weeks up to 4.5 mg weekly. Pediatric patients start at 0.75 mg weekly and have a 1.5 mg weekly maximum.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Dulaglutide?

Dulaglutide carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rats, while the relevance to humans is unknown. It is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Other serious concerns include pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal reactions, acute kidney injury from volume depletion, hypersensitivity, diabetic retinopathy complications, and gallbladder disease.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dulaglutide

Is dulaglutide a GLP-1 receptor agonist?

Yes. Dulaglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor and affects insulin release, glucagon secretion, and gastric emptying.

What is the dulaglutide dosing frequency?

Dulaglutide is injected subcutaneously once weekly.

What is the maximum adult dose?

The maximum recommended adult dose is 4.5 mg once weekly.

Can children use dulaglutide for type 2 diabetes?

Yes. Current U.S. labeling includes patients age 10 and older, with a pediatric maximum of 1.5 mg weekly.

References

DailyMed - TRULICITY (dulaglutide) injection, solution. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=463050bd-2b1c-40f5-b3c3-0a04bb433309. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Dulaglutide. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK547979/. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Dulaglutide. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dulaglutide. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Dulaglutide Injection. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a614047.html. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

TRULICITY (dulaglutide) Prescribing Information. Eli Lilly and Company. https://pi.lilly.com/us/trulicity-uspi.pdf. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.