
trulicity
Trulicity (Dulaglutide) is a medication used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Dulaglutide · by Eli Lilly and Co
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Dulaglutide
- Form
- Injectable
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Manufacturer
- Eli Lilly and Co
- FDA boxed warning
- Yes — see the boxed warning
What is Trulicity?
From the FDA label:Dulaglutide is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. The molecule is a fusion protein that consists of 2 identical, disulfide-linked chains, each containing an N-terminal GLP-1 analog sequence covalently linked to the Fc portion of a modified human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) heavy chain by a small peptide linker and is produced using mammalian cell (Chinese hamster ovary) culture. The GLP-1 analog portion of dulaglutide is 90% homologous to native human GLP-1 (7-37). Structural modifications were introduced in the GLP-1 part of the molecule responsible for interaction with the enzyme dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-4). Additional modifications were made in an area with a potential T-cell epitope and in the areas of the IgG4 Fc part of the molecule responsible for binding the high-affinity Fc receptors and half-antibody formation. The overall molecular weight of dulaglutide is approximately 63 kilodaltons. TRULICITY (dulaglutide) injection is a clear, colorless, sterile, preservative-free solution for subcutaneous use. Each single-dose pen contains a 0.5 mL solution of 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg of dulaglutide and the following excipients: citric acid anhydrous (0.07 mg), mannitol (23.2 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.10 mg for 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg; 0.125 mg for 3 mg and 4.5 mg), and trisodium citrate dihydrate (1.37 mg), in water for injection.
How to use
Adult Dosage ( 2.1 ) Recommended starting dosage is 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. Increase dosage to 1.5 mg once weekly for additional glycemic control. If additional glycemic control is needed, increase dosage in 1.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dosage. Maximum recommended dosage is 4.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. Pediatric Dosage ( 2.2 ) Recommended starting dosage is 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. If additional glycemic control is needed, increase dosage to the maximum recommended dosage of 1.5 mg once weekly after at least 4 weeks on the 0.75 mg dosage. Recommendations Regarding Missed Dose ( 2.3 ) If a dose is missed, administer the missed dose as soon as possible if there are at least 3 days (72 hours) until the next scheduled dose. Important Administration Instructions ( 2.4 ) Administer once weekly at any time of day with or without food. Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. 2.1 Adult Dosage The recommended starting dosage of TRULICITY is 0.75 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. Increase the dosage to 1.5 mg once weekly for additional glycemic control. If additional glycemic control is needed, increase the dosage in 1.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dosage. The maximum recommended dosage is 4.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. 2.2 Pediatric Dosage The…
Side effects
The following serious reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information: Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Acute Kidney Injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Severe Gastrointestinal Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with a History of Diabetic Retinopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Acute Gallbladder Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in the Clinical Trials in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Pool of Adult…
FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)
Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label
In male and female rats, dulaglutide causes a dose-related and treatment-duration-dependent increase in the incidence of thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) after lifetime exposure. It is unknown whether TRULICITY causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as human relevance of dulaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), and Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . TRULICITY is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC and in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC with use of TRULICITY and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with TRULICITY [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Dulaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats. It is unknown whether TRULICITY causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of dulaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined ( 5.1 , 13.1 ). TRULICITY is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC and in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors ( 4 , 5.1 ).
Warnings
Important safety information
Thyroid C-cell Tumors: See Boxed Warning ( 5.1 ). Pancreatitis: Has been reported in clinical trials. Discontinue promptly if pancreatitis is suspected. Do not restart if pancreatitis is confirmed ( 5.2 ). Hypoglycemia: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. Reducing the dose of insulin secretagogue or insulin may be necessary ( 5.3 ). Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and angioedema) have occurred. Discontinue TRULICITY and promptly seek medical advice ( 5.4 ). Acute Kidney Injury: Monitor renal function in patients with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions ( 5.5 ). Severe Gastrointestinal Disease: Use may be associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. Has not been studied in patients with severe gastrointestinal disease and is not recommended in these patients ( 5.6 ). Diabetic Retinopathy Complications: Have been reported in a cardiovascular outcomes trial. Monitor patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy ( 5.7 ). Acute Gallbladder Disease: If cholelithiasis or cholecystitis are suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated ( 5.8 ). 5.1 Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors In male and female rats, dulaglutide causes a dose-related and treatment-duration-dependent increase in the incidence of thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) after lifetime exposure [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have induced thyroid C-cell adenomas and carcinomas in mice and rats at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether TRULICITY will cause thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of dulaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined. One case of MTC was reported in a patient treated with TRULICITY in a clinical trial. This patient had pretreatment calcitonin levels approximately 8 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). An additional case of C-cell hyperplasia with elevated calcitonin levels following treatment was reported in the cardiovascular outcomes trial (REWIND). Cases of MTC in patients treated with liraglutide, another GLP-1 receptor agonist, have been reported in the postmarketing period; the data in these reports are insufficient to establish or exclude a causal relationship between MTC and GLP-1 receptor agonist use in humans. TRULICITY is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2. Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of TRULICITY and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g. a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with TRULICITY. Such monitoring may increase the risk of unnecessary procedures, due to the low test specificity for serum calcitonin and a high background incidence of thyroid disease. Significantly elevated serum calcitonin values may indicate MTC and patients with MTC usually have calcitonin values >50 ng/L. If serum calcitonin is measured and found to be elevated, the patient should be further evaluated. Patients with thyroid nodules noted on physical examination or neck imaging should also be further evaluated. 5.2 Pancreatitis In a pooled analysis from the original registration studies, 12 (3.4 cases per 1000 patient years) pancreatitis-related adverse reactions were reported in patients exposed to TRULICITY versus 3 in non-incretin comparators (2.7 cases per 1000 patient years). An analysis of adjudicated events revealed 5 cases of confirmed pancreatitis in patients exposed to TRULICITY (1.4 cases per 1000 patient years) versus 1 case in non-incretin comparators (0.88 cases per 1000 patient years). Based on an analysis of adjudicated events in a clinical trial evaluating Trulicity 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg once weekly, pancreatitis occurred in 1 patient exposed to TRULICITY 1.5 mg (0.2%), in 2 patients exposed to TRULICITY 3 mg (0.3%), and 3 patients exposed to TRULICITY 4.5 mg (0.5%). After initiation of TRULICITY, observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis, including persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. If pancreatitis is suspected, promptly discontinue TRULICITY and initiate appropriate management. If pancreatitis is confirmed, TRULICITY should not be restarted. TRULICITY has not been evaluated in patients with a prior history of pancreatitis. Consider other antidiabetic therapies in patients with a history of pancreatitis. 5.3 Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin Patients receiving TRULICITY in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. The risk of hypoglycemia may be lowered by a reduction in the dose of sulfonylurea (or other concomitantly administered insulin secretagogue) or insulin. Inform patients using these concomitant medications of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. 5.4 Hypersensitivity Reactions There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema in patients treated with TRULICITY [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue TRULICITY; treat promptly per standard of care, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. TRULICITY is contraindicated in patients with a previous serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or to any of the components of TRULICITY. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with other GLP-1 receptor agonists. Use caution in a patient with a history of angioedema or anaphylaxis with another GLP-1 receptor agonist because it is unknown whether such patients will be predisposed to anaphylaxis with TRULICITY. 5.5 Acute Kidney Injury In patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including TRULICITY, there have been postmarketing reports of acute renal failure and worsening of chronic renal failure, which may sometimes require hemodialysis. Some of these events were reported in patients without known underlying renal disease. A majority of reported events occurred in patients who had experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration. Because these reactions may worsen renal function, use caution when initiating or escalating doses of TRULICITY in patients with renal impairment. Monitor renal function in patients with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . 5.6 Severe Gastrointestinal Disease Use of TRULICITY may be associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . TRULICITY has not been studied in patients with severe gastrointestinal disease, including severe gastroparesis, and is therefore not recommended in these patients. 5.7 Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with a History of Diabetic Retinopathy In a cardiovascular outcomes trial with a median follow up of 5.4 years involving patients with type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors, diabetic retinopathy complications occurred in patients treated with TRULICITY 1.5 mg (1.9%) and placebo (1.5%). These events were prospectively ascertained as a secondary composite endpoint. The proportion of patients with diabetic retinopathy complications was larger among patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy at baseline (TRULICITY 8.5%, placebo 6.2%) than among patients without a known history of…
Who should not take Trulicity
TRULICITY is contraindicated in patients with: Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or to any of the product components. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported with TRULICITY [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 ( 4 , 5.1 ). Patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or any of the product components ( 4 , 5.4 ).
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Overdoses have been reported in clinical studies. Effects associated with these overdoses were primarily mild or moderate gastrointestinal events (e.g., nausea, vomiting) and non-severe hypoglycemia. In the event of overdose, appropriate supportive care (including frequent plasma glucose monitoring) should be initiated according to the patient's clinical signs and symptoms.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Oral Medications: Delays gastric emptying and has the potential to reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications ( 7.1 , 12.3 ). 7.1 Oral Medications TRULICITY delays gastric emptying and thus has the potential to reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. The delay in gastric emptying is dose-dependent but is attenuated with the recommended dose escalation to higher doses of TRULICITY [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . The delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes with subsequent doses. In clinical pharmacology studies, TRULICITY 1.5 mg did not affect the absorption of the tested orally administered medications to a clinically relevant degree [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . There is limited experience with the use of concomitant medications in clinical trials with TRULICITY doses of 3 mg and 4.5 mg. Monitor drug levels of oral medications with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., warfarin) when concomitantly administered with TRULICITY. 7.2 Concomitant Use with an Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) or with Insulin When initiating TRULICITY, consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )].
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Trulicity treat?
- Trulicity (Dulaglutide) may be used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Trulicity?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Trulicity. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Trulicity?
- Trulicity is marketed by Eli Lilly and Co. You can see Eli Lilly and Co's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Trulicity a brand-name or generic drug?
- Trulicity is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Dulaglutide.
- Is Trulicity available over the counter?
- No. Trulicity is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Trulicity come in?
- Trulicity is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- Is Trulicity safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Trulicity. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Trulicity?
- Trulicity's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following serious reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information: Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin Secretagogues or Insulin [see Warning… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.
People also viewed
tradjenta
Linagliptin
adlyxin
Lixisenatide
admelog
Insulin Lispro
admelog solostar
Insulin Lispro
awiqli flextouch
Insulin Icodec
brynovin
Sitagliptin Hydrochloride
Compare Trulicity head-to-head
Browse medications A–Z
Research products from A to Z, compare independent ratings, and find alternatives.
trulicity
New