Trulicity (dulaglutide) Injection Pens

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable medicine used for adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and activity. This page summarizes how the pen works, dosing basics, common safety concerns, and storage essentials. It also reviews Trulicity price factors for cash pay, including US shipping from Canada for people without insurance.

What Trulicity Is and How It Works (Trulicity price overview)

Trulicity is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1 medicines mimic an incretin (a gut hormone that helps regulate blood sugar) released after eating. This class can help the body increase insulin release when glucose is elevated, reduce glucagon release, and slow stomach emptying, which may reduce post-meal glucose spikes. Trulicity is supplied as a single-dose, prefilled pen for subcutaneous injection.

When required, prescriptions are confirmed with the original prescriber before dispensing.

In some regions, dulaglutide is also indicated to reduce certain cardiovascular risks in adults with type 2 diabetes who already have established cardiovascular disease (or meet specific criteria). Indications can differ by country and label version. For additional context about this drug class, browse GLP-1 Agonists as a category hub.

Who It’s For

Trulicity is used for glycemic control in adults with Type 2 Diabetes. It is not used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. A prescriber typically considers overall glucose goals, other diabetes medicines in the regimen, kidney function, and tolerance of gastrointestinal effects when selecting a GLP-1 therapy.

This medicine is not appropriate for everyone. It is contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). It should not be used in anyone with a known serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or product components. Caution is also commonly advised in those with a history of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease, because GLP-1 therapies can worsen certain digestive symptoms.

Dosage and Usage

Trulicity is injected under the skin once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day. It can be given with or without food. Common injection areas include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, with rotation of sites to reduce local irritation. Each pen is designed for a single use and should not be shared, even if the needle is not visible, due to infection risk. Used pens should be discarded in a puncture-resistant sharps container.

Under product labeling, treatment may start at a lower weekly dose and increase stepwise if additional glucose lowering is needed and the medicine is tolerated. Prescribers may reassess after several weeks on a stable dose before changing strength. The Trulicity price can vary by strength and supply length, so it helps to confirm the prescribed pen before a refill request is submitted.

• Timing: same weekday each week
• Sites: abdomen, thigh, upper arm
• Rotation: reduce irritation at one area
• Missed dose: follow the official label rules

Strengths and Forms

Trulicity is supplied as a prefilled, single-dose pen containing dulaglutide solution for subcutaneous injection. The pen is designed to deliver a fixed dose, which means the dose is selected by choosing the correct pen strength rather than dialing a dose. Availability may differ by country and by dispensing pharmacy inventory.

Pen strengths in the lineup

Several dose strengths may be used across a treatment course, depending on how the prescriber titrates the regimen. The most commonly referenced presentations include Trulicity 0.75 mg/0.5 mL pen and Trulicity 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pen, with higher-dose options such as Trulicity 3 mg pen and Trulicity 4.5 mg pen used when additional glucose lowering is needed and tolerated. Because each device delivers a single injection, the number of pens dispensed typically aligns with the number of weekly doses in the supply.

Why these details matter: a fixed-dose pen reduces measuring steps, but it requires the correct strength each week. If a change is made, confirm the new strength name on the dispensing label and match it to the pen box before use.

Storage and Travel Basics

Trulicity pens are typically stored in a refrigerator and kept in their original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze the pens, and do not use a pen that has been frozen. If a pen has been exposed to extreme temperatures, follow the dispensing label guidance and the product monograph instructions, since stability limits can depend on local labeling.

For short periods, many labels allow limited room-temperature storage within a defined time and temperature range, after which the pen should be discarded. This is one reason the Trulicity price discussion often includes waste prevention: avoiding temperature excursions can reduce the chance a pen needs to be replaced. Before travel, confirm refrigerator availability at the destination and plan for safe handling during transit.

Quick tip: Keep pens with carry-on items rather than checked luggage.

Side Effects and Safety

The most common side effects with dulaglutide are gastrointestinal. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, decreased appetite, and indigestion can occur, especially when starting therapy or after a dose increase. Injection-site reactions can also occur. Many people find symptoms lessen over time, but persistent or severe symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Serious risks are less common but important to recognize. Trulicity has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors seen in animal studies; it is contraindicated in people with MTC history or MEN 2. Pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 therapies; severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting) requires urgent evaluation. Low blood sugar is more likely when dulaglutide is combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, and dose adjustments of the other medicine may be needed by a prescriber.

Why it matters: Hypoglycemia risk depends more on combination therapy than on dulaglutide alone.

Some people review Trulicity price while also weighing tolerability. Reporting side effects and reviewing the medication list with the prescriber can help clarify whether symptoms are expected, dose-related, or related to another condition that needs attention.

• Common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
• Urgent: pancreatitis symptoms, severe allergy
• Watch for: dehydration with ongoing vomiting
• Low glucose: higher with insulin or sulfonylurea

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Dulaglutide slows gastric emptying, which can affect how quickly some oral medicines are absorbed. This is usually not clinically significant, but extra caution is often used with drugs that require precise timing or have a narrow therapeutic index. A complete medication list should include prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and supplements so the prescriber can screen for issues.

Dispensing is handled by licensed Canadian pharmacies partnered with the platform.

Using more than one GLP-1 receptor agonist at the same time is generally not recommended. If another diabetes medicine is being started or stopped, monitoring plans may change, especially when insulin or sulfonylureas are part of therapy. For background reading on how different agents compare in practice, see Semaglutide vs Metformin as an overview article.

• Oral absorption: timing may shift
• Combination risk: hypoglycemia with insulin or sulfonylurea
• Class overlap: avoid duplicate GLP-1 therapy
• Illness: vomiting can affect hydration

Compare With Alternatives

Several alternatives may be considered when a weekly GLP-1 option is not suitable or when a different target is prioritized. Semaglutide is another weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist, while liraglutide is a daily GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, and its indications and dose range differ. Whether an alternative is appropriate depends on indication, prior response, tolerability, contraindications, and the overall regimen.

If a prescriber is comparing options, Trulicity price is only one variable among dosing frequency, device design, and label indications. For product-specific references, see Ozempic Pens and Mounjaro Details in the catalog. For longer comparisons, the following resources may help frame discussions:

• Class comparison: Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide
• GLP-1 options: Victoza vs Ozempic
• Dosing background: Ozempic Dosage Guide

Pricing and Access

When reviewing Trulicity price, it helps to separate three items: the prescribed strength, the number of pens in the supply, and whether coverage applies. People may search terms like Trulicity cash price, Trulicity list price, or Retail price of Trulicity, but the final amount can differ across pharmacies and programs. Comparisons such as Trulicity price at Walmart, Trulicity price CVS, Trulicity price Walgreens, and GoodRx Trulicity price reflect different marketplaces and may not match a cross-border dispensing pathway.

The platform model is a prescription referral service: documentation is collected, and a dispensing pharmacy may need to verify clinical details before fill. This setup can be useful for those using cash pay or those without insurance, but eligibility depends on prescription validity and destination rules. For browseable options across therapy types, see Diabetes Medications and the broader Diabetes category hub.

The service supports cash-pay access when insurance coverage is limited.

Some users also compare Trulicity monthly cost, Trulicity cost per month, or Trulicity price with insurance (including Trulicity Medicare cost) when deciding how to budget for ongoing treatment. If a promotion is available, it will be listed on Available Promotions, but terms and eligibility can vary and should be read carefully.

Authoritative Sources

Labeling details can change, and different countries may publish different product monographs. For the most reliable information, review the official prescribing information that matches the dispensed product, including contraindications, warnings, storage limits, and device instructions. If anything on the pen label differs from expectations, it should be clarified with the dispensing pharmacy before use.

The following references provide regulator or public-health summaries of dulaglutide and GLP-1 therapies. They are useful for double-checking boxed warnings, class cautions, and general administration guidance.

• FDA labeling database for prescription products
• MedlinePlus summary for dulaglutide injection

To submit a request through your account, select the prescribed strength and choose prompt, express, cold-chain shipping at checkout.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.