A GLP-1 receptor agonist
Dulaglutide
A once-weekly injection for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood sugar, supports weight loss and can protect the heart.
What is Dulaglutide?
Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used in type 2 diabetes, given as a once-weekly injection under the skin. It lowers blood sugar, often helps with weight loss and can offer heart-protection benefits in suitable people. Like other GLP-1 medicines, nausea is common early on, and severe ongoing tummy pain should be reported.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Dulaglutide — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Dulaglutide is an injectable medicine for type 2 diabetes that copies the natural gut hormone GLP-1. Its main practical advantage over some other GLP-1 medicines is that it is given only once a week, which many people find convenient. It is often added when tablets alone are not controlling blood sugar, and is given as a once-weekly injection under the skin using a pre-filled pen.
How it works
Dulaglutide mimics the body's own GLP-1 hormone. It prompts the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high, reduces the glucose made by the liver, slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. Because its blood-sugar effect is glucose-dependent, it rarely causes hypos on its own. It is built to last in the body, which is why a single injection works for a whole week.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Eli Lilly.
Developed by Eli Lilly and first approved in 2014 (United States and Europe).
What it treats
Conditions Dulaglutide is used for
Practical use
How to take Dulaglutide
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Inject once a week, on the same day each week; it can be taken with or without food, at any time of day.
- If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you can if there are several days before the next one; otherwise skip it — never take two close together.
- Rotate the injection site (tummy, thigh or upper arm) each week.
- Nausea is common at first and usually eases over a few weeks — smaller, slower meals can help.
- On its own it rarely causes hypos, but the risk rises with a sulfonylurea or insulin, which your team may adjust.
- Seek prompt medical advice for severe, persistent tummy pain (rarely a sign of pancreatitis).
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Dulaglutide
Advantages
- Convenient once-weekly injection.
- Lowers blood sugar effectively and often supports weight loss.
- Can offer heart-protection benefits in suitable people.
- Low risk of hypos when used on its own.
Disadvantages
- Given by injection rather than a tablet.
- Nausea, and sometimes vomiting, are common early on.
- Rarely linked to pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.
- Carries a class warning about a rare thyroid (C-cell) tumour, so it is not used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
- More expensive than many older diabetes medicines.
Practical use
Good to know
Dulaglutide is injected once a week, on the same day each week, at any time of day. Nausea is common when starting and usually settles over the first few weeks. Injection sites (tummy, thigh or upper arm) should be rotated. Like other GLP-1 medicines it carries a pancreatitis warning, so severe ongoing tummy pain should be reported promptly.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to dulaglutide.
- Not used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2 (a rare hormone-gland syndrome), because of a thyroid (C-cell) warning seen with this class.
- Use with caution, and report symptoms, in anyone with a history of pancreatitis or significant gallbladder disease.
- Caution in people with severe gut problems such as gastroparesis (very slow stomach emptying).
Monitoring
- Blood sugar control (including HbA1c) and, where relevant, weight.
- Review of nausea and other gut symptoms, especially early on.
- Prompt review if pancreatitis or gallbladder problems are suspected.
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, usually worst when starting.
- Reduced appetite and feeling full quickly.
- Injection-site reactions.
- Rarely, pancreatitis (severe tummy pain) or gallstones.
Key interactions
- Hypo risk increases when combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin.
- Slowed stomach emptying can affect how some oral medicines are absorbed.
- Tell your team about all your medicines so the combination can be reviewed.
Available as: Pre-filled injection pen for use under the skin.
Answers
Dulaglutide: frequently asked questions
How often do I inject dulaglutide?
Once a week, on the same day each week. You can inject it at any time of day, with or without food, and should rotate the injection site each week.
What if I miss my weekly dose?
If there are still several days before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is due very soon, skip the missed one — do not take two doses close together.
Why do I feel sick at first?
Nausea is common when starting because the medicine slows the stomach and reduces appetite. It usually settles within a few weeks, and smaller, slower meals can help.
Will it help me lose weight?
Many people lose some weight on dulaglutide because it reduces appetite, although it is licensed for type 2 diabetes rather than as a weight-loss treatment. Your team will discuss what to expect.
When should I seek urgent help?
Seek prompt medical advice for severe, persistent tummy pain that may spread to your back, as this can rarely signal pancreatitis. Also report symptoms of gallstones such as upper-right tummy pain.
The wider class
About GLP-1 receptor agonists
Dulaglutide belongs to the glp-1 receptor agonists class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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