Dulaglutide
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Dulaglutide is an FDA-approved once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide drug available as prescription Trulicity for type 2 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older, and for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in labeled adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors. This app supports FDA-approved prescription Trulicity only; compounded, research-use, vial-based, or non-prescribed dulaglutide products are unsupported.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Dulaglutide is an FDA-approved once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide drug available as prescription Trulicity for type 2 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older, and for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in labeled adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Product-specific titration only: adults 0.75-4.5 mg once weekly; pediatric patients 10 years and older 0.75-1.5 mg once weekly (as prescribed by your clinician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 12 sources.
- Improves glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes2,3
- Reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in labeled adults with type 2 diabetes11,6
- Once-weekly subcutaneous administration9,3
- Ready-to-use single-dose pen format2
- Low hypoglycemia risk when not combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues6
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, and fatigue
- Injection-site reactions
- Hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)4
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: improves glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in labeled adults with type 2 diabetes, once-weekly subcutaneous administration. 12 sources indexed (2021–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
A GLP-1 receptor agonist consisting of a modified GLP-1 analogue covalently linked to a modified Fc fragment of human IgG4, which slows clearance and extends the half-life to approximately 5 days. Activates GLP-1 receptors to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite.10
Dosing & protocol.
Dulaglutide is injected subcutaneously once weekly without regard to meals. It delays gastric emptying and may affect absorption of concomitant oral medications, so narrow-therapeutic-index oral drugs may need clinical monitoring.2
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, and fatigue
- Injection-site reactions
- Hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues
- Acute pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 receptor agonists
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Acute kidney injury due to volume depletion from severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions
- Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions; not recommended in severe gastroparesis
- Diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy
- Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis or angioedema
- Pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation has been reported postmarketing
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Comparative effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide, dulaglutide or tirzepatide: a systematic review and meta-analysisSource linkedPMIDKarimi MA, Gholami Chahkand MS, Dadkhah PA et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025
Karimi MA, Gholami Chahkand MS, Dadkhah PA et al.. Comparative effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide, dulaglutide or tirzepatide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2025
Randomized controlled trials
4- 2Comparison of Dose Escalation Versus Switching to Tirzepatide Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Lower Doses of Dulaglutide : A Randomized Clinical TrialSource linkedPMIDBillings LK, Winne L, Sharma P et al. · Annals of internal medicine · 2025
Billings LK, Winne L, Sharma P et al.. Comparison of Dose Escalation Versus Switching to Tirzepatide Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Lower Doses of Dulaglutide : A Randomized Clinical Trial. Annals of internal medicine. 2025
- 3Improvement of glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction by switching from liraglutide or dulaglutide to subcutaneous semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison study (SWITCH-SEMA 1 study)Source linkedPMIDTakahashi Y, Nomoto H, Yokoyama H et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2023
Takahashi Y, Nomoto H, Yokoyama H et al.. Improvement of glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction by switching from liraglutide or dulaglutide to subcutaneous semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison study (SWITCH-SEMA 1 study). Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. 2023
- 4Effects of a Dulaglutide plus Calorie-Restricted Diet versus a Calorie-Restricted Diet on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled TrialSource linkedPMIDZhang Y, Qu Z, Lu T et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Zhang Y, Qu Z, Lu T et al.. Effects of a Dulaglutide plus Calorie-Restricted Diet versus a Calorie-Restricted Diet on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2023
- 5Efficacy and Safety of Dulaglutide 3.0 mg and 4.5 mg Versus Dulaglutide 1.5 mg in Metformin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in a Randomized Controlled Trial (AWARD-11)Source linkedPMIDFrias JP, Bonora E, Nevarez Ruiz L et al. · Diabetes care · 2021
Frias JP, Bonora E, Nevarez Ruiz L et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Dulaglutide 3.0 mg and 4.5 mg Versus Dulaglutide 1.5 mg in Metformin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in a Randomized Controlled Trial (AWARD-11). Diabetes care. 2021
Reference material
7- 6TRULICITY (dulaglutide) injection, solution: prescribing informationSource linkedURLU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed · Official prescribing information and FDA drug safety communication · 2026
Official labeling includes thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning, MTC/MEN 2 and serious hypersensitivity contraindications, adult and pediatric dosing, cardiovascular risk reduction indication, and warnings for pancreatitis, hypoglycemia with insulin/secretagogues, acute kidney injury, severe GI reactions, retinopathy, gallbladder disease, pulmonary aspiration, and delayed gastric emptying.
- 7FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight LossSource linkedURLU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed · Official prescribing information and FDA drug safety communication · 2026
FDA warns that compounded GLP-1 products are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing.
- 8Gerstein HC et al. Dulaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (REWIND). Lancet. 2019;394(10193):121-130.Source linkedPMID
- 9Dungan KM et al. Once-weekly dulaglutide versus once-daily liraglutide in metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (AWARD-6). Lancet. 2014;384(9951):1349-1357.Source linkedPMID
- 10Lin PY et al. Divergent Risks of Hematologic Malignancies Associated with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and SGLT2 Inhibitors: Preliminary Findings from a Pilot Network Meta-Analysis. Biomolecules. 2025.Source linkedPMID
- 11Nicholls SJ, Bhatt DL, Buse JB et al.. Comparison of tirzepatide and dulaglutide on major adverse cardiovascular events in participants with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: SURPASS-CVOT design and baseline characteristics. American heart journal. 2024Source linkedPMID
- 12Nicholls SJ, Pavo I, Bhatt DL et al.. Cardiovascular Outcomes with Tirzepatide versus Dulaglutide in Type 2 Diabetes. The New England journal of medicine. 2025Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Dulaglutide, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Dulaglutide?
Dulaglutide is an FDA-approved once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide drug available as prescription Trulicity for type 2 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older, and for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in labeled adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors. This app supports FDA-approved prescription Trulicity only; compounded, research-use, vial-based, or non-prescribed dulaglutide products are unsupported.
What is Dulaglutide used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Dulaglutide include: Improves glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes; Reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in labeled adults with type 2 diabetes; Once-weekly subcutaneous administration; Ready-to-use single-dose pen format; Low hypoglycemia risk when not combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Dulaglutide?
A typical adult dose of Dulaglutide is Product-specific titration only: adults 0.75-4.5 mg once weekly; pediatric patients 10 years and older 0.75-1.5 mg once weekly (as prescribed by your clinician). The commonly recommended form is FDA-approved prescription Trulicity single-dose pen selected by the prescriber. Do not use compounded, research-use-only, or unverified vial/syringe dulaglutide.. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Dulaglutide?
Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, and fatigue, injection-site reactions, hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues, acute pancreatitis has been reported with glp-1 receptor agonists, acute gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury due to volume depletion from severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Dulaglutide?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Dulaglutide in NutriStack.
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