Comprehensive medication guide to Trulicity including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$25/month with the Lilly Savings Card for eligible commercially insured patients; $50–$300/month without the savings card; Medicare Part D copay varies by plan; not available as generic.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$987–$1,395 retail for a 4-pen, 28-day supply at any dose; as low as $825 per month with SingleCare or ~$952 with GoodRx discount cards at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
38/100
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Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a brand-name prescription medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. It was FDA-approved in September 2014 as a once-weekly injectable treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, and later expanded to include children ages 10 and older. In 2020, two higher doses (3 mg and 4.5 mg) were approved, expanding the dosing options for patients who need additional glycemic control.
Trulicity is also FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) — including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and non-fatal stroke — in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. It belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class, the same class as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
Trulicity comes as a pre-filled, single-use pen injector available in four strengths: 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, and 4.5 mg per 0.5 mL. Each strength is injected once weekly into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. There is currently no generic version of Trulicity; it remains brand-only, with biosimilars not expected until approximately 2033–2034.
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Trulicity works by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone naturally produced in the gut after eating. The active ingredient, dulaglutide, is an engineered fusion protein: a GLP-1 analog sequence attached to the Fc portion of a modified human IgG4 antibody. This structure extends dulaglutide's half-life to approximately 5 days, enabling once-weekly dosing.
Once injected, dulaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors throughout the body. This produces four key effects: (1) glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion from the pancreas when blood sugar is elevated, (2) suppression of glucagon to reduce liver glucose output, (3) slowing of gastric emptying to blunt post-meal blood sugar spikes, and (4) appetite suppression via action on the brain's satiety centers. Because insulin release is glucose-dependent, Trulicity alone has a low risk of causing dangerous hypoglycemia.
GLP-1 receptors are also expressed in the heart and blood vessels, which explains Trulicity's cardiovascular protective effects demonstrated in the REWIND outcomes trial. The REWIND trial showed that dulaglutide reduced MACE by 12% versus placebo in patients with T2DM — including patients without established cardiovascular disease, making it uniquely relevant for primary and secondary CV prevention in the T2DM population.
0.75 mg — subcutaneous injection pen
Starting dose; 4 pens per 28-day supply
1.5 mg — subcutaneous injection pen
Maintenance dose for most patients; increase from 0.75 mg after 4 weeks if needed
3 mg — subcutaneous injection pen
Higher dose approved in 2020; most shortage-affected
4.5 mg — subcutaneous injection pen
Maximum dose; approved in 2020; most shortage-affected
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is one of the most challenging GLP-1 medications to find in 2026. It has been on the FDA drug shortage database since August 2022, making it one of the longest-running active drug shortages. The shortage affects higher doses (3 mg and 4.5 mg) most severely, while lower doses (0.75 mg and 1.5 mg) have seen somewhat improved availability. The shortage is driven by a combination of demand surges, manufacturing issues at Eli Lilly, and Eli Lilly's strategic resource shift toward Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Availability varies significantly by location, pharmacy type, and week. National chains, independent pharmacies, big-box stores, and mail-order pharmacies all have different supply chains and may have different stock. Many patients report needing to call 5-10 pharmacies before locating their specific dose. The situation can change week to week.
Rather than spending hours on hold, patients can use medfinder to have pharmacies called on their behalf. Provide your medication, dose, and zip code, and medfinder will locate which pharmacies near you have Trulicity in stock and text you the results.
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber can write a prescription without special DEA or state-level controlled substance authorization. The FDA does maintain a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for Trulicity, which requires Eli Lilly to inform healthcare providers about the risks of medullary thyroid carcinoma and pancreatitis, but this does not restrict prescribing.
Healthcare providers who commonly prescribe Trulicity include:
Endocrinologists — specialists in diabetes and hormonal conditions; typically manage complex T2DM cases
Primary care physicians (PCPs) / Internal medicine — the most common prescribers; manage the majority of T2DM patients in the U.S.
Pediatricians / Pediatric endocrinologists — Trulicity is approved for children ages 10+ with T2DM
Cardiologists — may co-manage or prescribe for patients using Trulicity specifically for MACE risk reduction
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — have full or collaborative prescribing authority in most states
Telehealth prescribing is fully available for Trulicity since it is not a controlled substance. Eli Lilly operates LillyDirect, which connects patients with independent telehealth providers for Trulicity prescriptions and offers home delivery options.
No. Trulicity (dulaglutide) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling classification. It can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber including primary care physicians, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. There are no special DEA requirements for prescribing or dispensing Trulicity, no federal limits on refills (beyond standard prescription duration), and no prescription monitoring program (PMP) reporting requirements.
Because Trulicity is not a controlled substance, it can also be prescribed via telehealth without the additional restrictions that apply to scheduled medications. Prescriptions can be transferred between pharmacies when needed. The only prescribing limitation specific to Trulicity is the FDA's REMS program requirement, which obligates Eli Lilly to inform healthcare professionals about the risk of pancreatitis and potential risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
The most frequently reported side effects of Trulicity are gastrointestinal, especially when first starting the medication or increasing the dose:
Nausea (most common; typically improves after first 1-4 weeks)
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Decreased appetite
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Thyroid C-cell tumors (Boxed Warning): Risk seen in animal studies; human relevance unknown. Contraindicated in patients with personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
Acute pancreatitis: Severe abdominal pain radiating to back; discontinue immediately and seek emergency care.
Hypoglycemia: Risk significantly increased when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Acute kidney injury: May occur secondary to dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea.
Serious hypersensitivity: Including anaphylaxis and angioedema (rare); discontinue and seek emergency care.
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Ozempic (semaglutide)
Once-weekly GLP-1 injectable; generally more effective than Trulicity at lowering A1C and promoting weight loss; shortage largely resolved; similar price point
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Once-weekly dual GLP-1/GIP agonist; highest efficacy in the class; approved for T2DM and cardiovascular risk; shortage resolved Dec 2024
Victoza (liraglutide)
Once-daily injectable GLP-1; proven cardiovascular benefit (LEADER trial); generic liraglutide available at lower cost; more widely stocked during shortage
Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
Once-daily oral GLP-1 tablet; same active ingredient as Ozempic; no injection required; option for injection-averse patients or as a bridge during shortage
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Insulin
moderateIncreased risk of hypoglycemia; dose reduction of insulin typically required when initiating Trulicity
Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride)
moderateIncreased risk of hypoglycemia; consider reducing sulfonylurea dose when starting Trulicity
Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateTrulicity slows gastric emptying; may affect warfarin absorption; monitor INR more frequently when starting or adjusting dose
Cyclosporine
moderateSlowed gastric emptying may alter absorption; monitor drug levels closely
Sitagliptin (Januvia)
minorCo-administration increases dulaglutide AUC and Cmax by ~38% and 27% respectively; not typically combined
Other GLP-1 receptor agonists (Ozempic, Victoza, Mounjaro)
majorDo not combine; same mechanism of action; no added benefit and increased side effects
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a well-established, FDA-approved once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been helping patients with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar and protect their cardiovascular health since 2014. It offers the convenience of once-weekly dosing, a proven cardiovascular benefit, and a relatively manageable side effect profile compared to some newer GLP-1 agents.
However, the ongoing shortage — active since August 2022 and with no confirmed U.S. resolution date — is a real barrier for patients who need this medication. The shortage is most severe for the 3 mg and 4.5 mg doses. Patients and providers should proactively plan for supply disruptions, have a therapeutic substitution plan in place, and use available savings programs to reduce financial barriers when Trulicity is accessible.
If you're struggling to find Trulicity at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area to locate which ones have your specific dose in stock, and text you the results — saving you the time and frustration of calling pharmacies yourself.
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