Dulaglutide
From PeptidePlaza, the free peptide reference · Entry #1155 · Metabolic · Sources fetched 2026-09-11 · Editorial standards
Dulaglutide is a metabolic research peptide. Dulaglutide, marketed as TRULICITY, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to improve glycemic control and reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Dulaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that was first approved by the FDA in 2014. It is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, it is used to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Dulaglutide is administered subcutaneously. Research on dulaglutide includes studies comparing its efficacy and safety with other treatments for type 2 diabetes, as well as its cardiovascular outcomes.
1 Mechanism of action
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (agonist)
Primary targets: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
2 Reported effects
Effects below are those reported in the published literature cited on this page. They are not claims of clinical benefit and not medical advice.
2.1 Indicated / studied for
- Glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Smoking Cessation
- Polydipsia
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
2.2 Side effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
- Pancreatitis
3 Chemical and physical properties
| Purity (typical) | Not independently verified |
|---|---|
| Half-life | ~5 days |
| Brand names | TRULICITY |
| Route | SUBCUTANEOUS |
| Storage | −20 °C, lyophilised powder, desiccated |
| Solubility | Sterile water / bacteriostatic water |
| Receptors / targets | Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor |
4 Research dosages
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.
5 Research studies (8)
- Cardiovascular Outcomes with Tirzepatide versus Dulaglutide in Type 2 Diabetes
The New England journal of medicine (2025) - Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide monotherapy compared with dulaglutide in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS J-mono): a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology (2022) · RCT - Comparative Gastrointestinal Safety of Dulaglutide, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Annals of internal medicine (2026) - Comparative Effectiveness of Tirzepatide Versus Dulaglutide or Semaglutide on Major Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Insights From Two Target-Trial Emulations
Diabetes care (2026) - Semaglutide versus dulaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 7): a randomised, open-label, phase 3b trial
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology (2018) · RCT - Association of tirzepatide with erectile dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes
Journal of diabetes and its complications (2025) - Efficacy and safety of oral orforglipron in patients with type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomised, dose-response, phase 2 study
Lancet (London, England) (2023) · RCT - GLP-1 receptor agonists: A novel pharmacotherapy for binge eating (Binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa)? A systematic review
Journal of clinical & translational endocrinology (2024) · Review
6 Safety and risk profile
6.1 Regulatory status
Dulaglutide is currently classified as FDA approved. Approval applies to specific clinical indications and dosing; research-grade material is not the approved product.
6.2 Contraindications
Conditions and populations in which use is contraindicated:
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or any product components
6.3 Drug interactions
| Drug or class | Interaction | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Oral medications | May reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications due to delayed gastric emptying. Monitor drug levels of oral medications with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., warfarin). | Moderate |
| Insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) or insulin | May increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Consider reducing the dose of insulin secretagogues or insulin when initiating dulaglutide. | High |
6.4 Long-term risks
- Thyroid C-cell Tumors
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Severe Gastrointestinal Disease
- Diabetic Retinopathy Complications
- Acute Gallbladder Disease
7 Frequently asked questions
- What is dulaglutide used for?
- Dulaglutide is used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It also reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
- How does dulaglutide work?
- Dulaglutide functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. By activating GLP-1 receptors, it helps to improve blood sugar control and can contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Is dulaglutide FDA approved?
- Yes, dulaglutide was first approved by the FDA in 2014. It is marketed under the brand name TRULICITY and is administered subcutaneously.
- What are the side effects of dulaglutide?
- Common side effects of dulaglutide include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. More serious adverse reactions such as pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, and acute kidney injury have also been reported.
- What are the contraindications for dulaglutide?
- Dulaglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). It is also contraindicated in patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or any of its components.
8 References
- Dulaglutide — molecule record ChEMBL. View source
- Dulaglutide — FDA approved prescribing information U.S. Food and Drug Administration. View source
- Dulaglutide — published literature (1,282 records) PubMed. View source
Related compounds
Entries that share a target, a mechanism, or a research area with Dulaglutide.
Also targets Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
Lixisenatide, also known as Adlyxin, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Also targets Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
Albiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Also targets Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
Taspoglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that was investigated for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Also metabolic
Elsiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor agonist currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of diarrhea.