dulaglutide
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist from Eli Lilly for type 2 diabetes. It boosts insulin when glucose is high, calms glucagon and slows stomach emptying, improving blood sugar and reducing major cardiovascular events in at-risk adults.
This page is based on FDA prescribing information and the EMA medicine record for dulaglutide; the mechanism is explained in plain language, and analogies are used only where they stay accurate.
How it works
Explains what the medicine does in the body, not dosing, side effects, or safety.
An analogy
After a meal the gut sends a courier, GLP-1, to warn the pancreas that sugar is arriving. In type 2 diabetes that courier gets ignored. Dulaglutide is a long-lasting courier that keeps knocking, so insulin arrives on time, the liver stops overproducing sugar, and the stomach releases food more gently.
In simple terms
Dulaglutide mimics a natural hormone, GLP-1, that helps coordinate the body's response to food. It stimulates insulin release when blood sugar rises, reduces glucagon, a hormone that pushes sugar out of the liver, and slows how fast the stomach empties. Together these effects lower blood sugar after meals and over the day, and the medicine is given as a weekly injection.
In depth
Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist comprising two GLP-1 analogues covalently linked to an Fc fragment of human IgG4, which extends half-life to about five days and permits once-weekly dosing. It enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses inappropriate glucagon secretion and delays gastric emptying. Cardiovascular outcome trials demonstrated reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events across a broad type 2 diabetes population.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
How dulaglutide, a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist, works
- Dulaglutide mimics a natural hormone, GLP-1, that helps coordinate the body's response to food.
- It stimulates insulin release when blood sugar rises, reduces glucagon, a hormone that pushes sugar out of the liver, and slows how fast the stomach empties.
- Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist comprising two GLP-1 analogues covalently linked to an Fc fragment of human IgG4, which extends half-life to about five days and permits once-weekly dosing.
- Cardiovascular outcome trials demonstrated reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events across a broad type 2 diabetes population.
Target: GLP-1 receptor
A receptor activated by the incretin hormone GLP-1 that tells the pancreas to release insulin after meals and the stomach to slow down; in type 2 diabetes this signalling helps restore glucose balance.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in United States
FDA- As an adjunct to diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- In patients aged 10 years and above, for insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise, as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate or contraindicated, or in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) — Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, English version
European Medicines Agency
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: dulaglutide prescribing information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Emc SmPC: Trulicity 500 micrograms/0.5 ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (EMC)
This page explains how the medicine works — it isn’t the patient leaflet. For anything that applies to you, read the leaflet that came with your medicine or ask your pharmacist.
MedUnfold provides educational content and is not medical advice. Always follow your local prescribing information and healthcare professional.