Trulicity® Pen Injection for Type 2 Diabetes

Trulicity® contains dulaglutide, a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist for adults with type 2 diabetes. This page explains how it works, who it is for, dosing basics, safety, and storage, with US delivery from Canada. Pricing may help if you pay without insurance.

CanadianInsulin is a prescription referral service. We verify your prescription with your clinic, and licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense your order.

What Trulicity® Is and How It Works

Trulicity® is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It helps lower blood sugar by increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, slowing stomach emptying, and reducing glucagon. It is taken once weekly using a single-dose auto-injector pen. Trulicity is used along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Some patients may also receive it to reduce cardiovascular risk when appropriate per labeling.

Trulicity does not treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not insulin. Your clinician may combine it with other diabetes medicines if you need more control of Type 2 Diabetes.

Who Trulicity® Is For

Trulicity is for adults with type 2 diabetes who need better blood sugar control despite diet and exercise. It can be used alone or with metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, or basal insulin as directed by your prescriber.

Do not use Trulicity if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Avoid it if you had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide. Your clinician may avoid Trulicity if you have severe gastrointestinal disease. Tell your care team about pancreatitis history, gallbladder problems, kidney issues, or diabetic retinopathy before starting.

Dosage and Usage

Trulicity is injected subcutaneously once weekly, any time of day, with or without food. Give it in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites with each dose.

Typical initiation follows the product label:

• Start: 0.75 mg once weekly.
• Step-up: Increase to 1.5 mg once weekly if more control is needed.
• Further titration: 3 mg once weekly, then 4.5 mg once weekly if required for additional A1C reduction.
• Allow at least 4 weeks on a dose before increasing.

If you are also on a sulfonylurea or insulin, your clinician will counsel you on hypoglycemia risk. Never share pens. Use each pen only once.

For a practical walk-through on titration and expectations, see Optimize Your Trulicity Dose.

Strengths and Forms

Trulicity is available as single-dose, prefilled auto-injector pens in these commonly published strengths:

• 0.75 mg/0.5 mL
• 1.5 mg/0.5 mL
• 3 mg/0.5 mL
• 4.5 mg/0.5 mL

All pens deliver a single dose and are discarded after use. Availability may vary by strength. You can browse related options under Non Insulin Injectable Medications.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a weekly dose and your next dose is at least three days away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If there are fewer than three days until your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses within three days of each other. Keep the same day each week when possible.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store unused pens in the refrigerator at typical refrigerator temperatures. Do not freeze. Protect from light by keeping pens in the original carton until use. When needed, Trulicity pens can be kept at room temperature for a limited time per the label. Do not use a pen if it has been frozen, dropped on a hard surface, or appears damaged.

When traveling, carry pens in an insulated case. Pack a backup pen, alcohol swabs, and a sharps container or travel-approved disposal option. Keep medicine with you during flights. Cold-chain handling is maintained during transit from Canada to help protect product quality.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

Each pen contains a single dose. Read the supplied Instructions for Use before your first injection. General steps:

• Wash hands. Inspect the pen label and expiration date.
• Pull off the base cap. Do not touch the needle area.
• Place the clear base flat against your skin.
• Unlock the pen if it has a lock switch.
• Press and hold the green injection button until you hear a click, then keep holding until you hear a second click. Keep the pen in place for the recommended hold time.
• Remove the pen and check the indicator per the instructions.

Dispose of used pens in an FDA-cleared sharps container. Follow local regulations for sharps disposal. Keep pens and sharps away from children and pets.

Benefits

• Once-weekly dosing that fits routine schedules.
• Proven A1C reduction when used with diet and exercise.
• Supports weight loss in many patients.
• Cardiovascular risk reduction in eligible adults per label.
• Single-use pen design with no mixing required.
• Can be combined with other diabetes medicines when appropriate.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, and injection-site reactions. These effects often improve over several weeks as your body adjusts.

Serious risks are uncommon but can include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, severe allergic reactions, and possible worsening of diabetic retinopathy in certain settings. Trulicity carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents; avoid use with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. Watch for symptoms like severe abdominal pain that will not go away, neck mass, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath. Hypoglycemia risk increases when used with insulin or sulfonylureas.

For a balanced overview, read Trulicity Pros And Cons.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

• Insulin or sulfonylureas: increased risk of low blood sugar.
• Other GLP-1 receptor agonists: do not use together.
• Oral medicines with narrow therapeutic index: delayed gastric emptying may affect absorption; your clinician will advise monitoring.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: discuss risks and benefits with your clinician.
• Acute pancreatitis signs: stop the drug and seek medical care.

Always share your full medication list, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, with your care team.

What to Expect Over Time

Many people see fasting and post-meal glucose improvements within weeks. Nausea and GI symptoms, if they occur, often ease after the first few doses. A1C changes are typically assessed after several months on a stable dose. Weight trends vary, with gradual reductions for many patients. Your clinician may adjust your dose after at least four weeks at a given level to reach targets.

For lifestyle support while on a GLP-1, explore GLP 1 Weight Loss.

Compare With Alternatives

Other GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Victoza are commonly prescribed alternatives. For patients who prefer oral options or need combination therapy, SGLT2 inhibitor combinations or metformin-based regimens are often considered. Two examples we offer include Synjardy® and Invokamet®. For a head-to-head overview of class features, see Trulicity vs Ozempic.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing can help lower your Trulicity cost compared with typical US cash pay. You can check current Trulicity price and compare strengths before you place an order. Orders are shipped from Canada for prompt US delivery. Cold-chain packaging is used when appropriate.

To start, add your prescribed strength to cart, upload your prescription, and we will handle verification with your clinic. You can track your order from your account.

Availability and Substitutions

Availability may vary by strength. If a specific pen is temporarily unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a different strength or an alternative GLP-1. We cannot provide a substitute without your clinician’s approval and a valid prescription.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

• Good candidates: adults with type 2 diabetes needing improved control, especially those who value once-weekly dosing.
• Use caution: history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe GI conditions, or diabetic retinopathy. Avoid with MEN2 or medullary thyroid carcinoma history.
• Multi-month orders can reduce per-shipment costs and help prevent gaps.
• Set refill reminders around your weekly dose day to avoid missed injections.
• Discuss target A1C and weight goals with your clinician to align expectations.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is Trulicity appropriate for my A1C and cardiovascular risk profile?
• When should I consider stepping from 0.75 mg to a higher dose?
• How should I adjust other diabetes medicines to reduce hypoglycemia risk?
• What signs suggest pancreatitis or gallbladder issues?
• How can I coordinate Trulicity with my meal pattern and exercise plan?
• What labs will you monitor over the next few months?

Authoritative Sources

• Eli Lilly Trulicity Prescribing Information
• FDA DailyMed: Dulaglutide
• Health Canada Drug Product Database

Ready to begin? You can place your Trulicity order for US delivery from Canada today. This page is informational and does not replace medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the official label.