Dulaglutide (brand name Trulicity) is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, FDA-approved in September 2014 for type 2 diabetes. It is a fusion protein consisting of a GLP-1 analog covalently linked to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment via a small peptide linker (MW ~59,670 g/mol). The Fc fusion extends its half-life to approximately 5 days, enabling once-weekly dosing. Dulaglutide is administered via a single-dose pen device that does not require reconstitution.
Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist. Evidence rating: A (strong human clinical data).
Clinical status: FDA-approved (Trulicity for T2D, September 2014; cardiovascular risk reduction, 2020)
Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist consisting of two identical disulfide-linked chains, each containing an N-terminal GLP-1 analog sequence (90% homology to native GLP-1) fused to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment via a small peptide linker. The GLP-1 analog portion has amino acid…
Research base: 0 registered clinical trials and 1 indexed publication reference Dulaglutide.
Safety considerations: Common (>=5%): nausea (12-21%), diarrhea (8-13%), vomiting (6-12%), abdominal pain, decreased appetite; GI side effects are dose-dependent and typically transient, decreasing after the first 2-4 weeks; Injection site reactions (1-2%): erythema, rash, pruritus at injection site.
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team.
| Molecular weight | ~59,670 g/mol (fusion protein) |
|---|---|
| Half-life | ~5 days (approximately 120 hours) |
| Bioavailability | ~47-65% subcutaneous |
| Production method | recombinant |
| Anti-doping status | not-listed |
| US regulatory status | FDA-approved. Trulicity approved September 2014 for T2D (0.75 mg and 1.5 mg). Cardiovascular risk reduction indication added 2020. Higher doses (3.0 mg, 4.5 mg) approved September 2020. |
Related peptides: Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Exenatide.
Both are once-weekly GLP-1 agonists. In the SUSTAIN 7 trial (head-to-head), semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg were superior to dulaglutide 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg for both HbA1c reduction and weight loss. However, dulaglutide has demonstrated cardiovascular benefit in REWIND, is available in an easy-to-use pre-filled pen, and remains an effective option.
Yes, store in the refrigerator at 2-8 °C (36-46 °F). Each single-dose pen can be kept at room temperature (up to 30 °C / 86 °F) for up to 14 days if needed. Do not freeze. Protect from light.
Dulaglutide (Trulicity) is FDA-approved for T2D and cardiovascular risk reduction, not for weight management alone. While it produces weight loss, it is not approved or marketed as a weight-loss medication like semaglutide (Wegovy).
REWIND (n=9901, median follow-up 5.4 years) demonstrated a 12% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with dulaglutide 1.5 mg weekly vs placebo. Notably, the study included a broader population than previous GLP-1 CV trials, with only 31% having established cardiovascular disease at baseline.
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