Library / Weight and metabolic

Dulaglutide

Also known as Trulicity

Approved medicine

Once weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist (a peptide fused to an antibody fragment). Approved for type 2 diabetes; not approved specifically for weight management.

Prescription medicine. Only a prescriber can decide whether a medicine suits you and at what dose. This page is information, not a recommendation.

Background

A once weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, made of two GLP-1 like peptides fused to part of a human antibody (IgG4 Fc) so it lasts a week. FDA approved in 2014 as Trulicity and approved in Australia.

How it is thought to work

It activates GLP-1 receptors, increasing insulin release when blood sugar is high, lowering glucagon and slowing stomach emptying. This lowers blood sugar and can reduce appetite.

What is claimed, and the evidence

Claim	Evidence	Notes
Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (adults and children 10 years and older)	Approved use	FDA label indication alongside diet and exercise.
Reducing major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease or risk factors	Approved use	FDA label indication.

Side effects

Effect	How often	Notes
Nausea	Common	12% at 0.75 mg and 21% at 1.5 mg vs 5% with placebo.
Diarrhoea	Common	9 to 13% vs 7% with placebo.
Vomiting	Common	6 to 13% vs 2% with placebo.
Abdominal pain, reduced appetite, indigestion, fatigue	Common	Each about 4 to 9% at the higher dose.
Acute pancreatitis Serious	Rare	Reported with GLP-1 receptor agonists; stop if suspected.
Gallbladder disease Serious	Uncommon	Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation are label warnings.
Low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas Serious	Common	Risk rises when combined with these medicines.
Serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema) Serious	Rare	Label warning.
Kidney injury from dehydration, worsening diabetic eye disease Serious	Rare	Label warnings.

Warnings

Boxed warning: caused thyroid C-cell tumours in rats; do not use with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
Tell the anaesthetist before surgery or sedation, as stomach contents may be inhaled.
Severe gastrointestinal reactions can cause dehydration and kidney injury.

Regulatory status

Australia: Approved (ARTG, Trulicity). Schedule 4.
United States: FDA approved (Trulicity, 2014) for type 2 diabetes.

Sources

Also in Weight and metabolic

From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use Dulaglutide.