Long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (GLP-1 analogue fused to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment)
Dulaglutide
Approvedaka Trulicity, LY2189265
Dulaglutide is an approved once-weekly GLP-1 therapy for type 2 diabetes. It is a GLP-1 analogue fused to an antibody (IgG4 Fc) fragment, a design that extends its half-life. Randomized trials in the AWARD program show reductions in HbA1c and body weight, and the REWIND trial demonstrated a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in a broad type 2 diabetes population. It is not approved as a stand-alone weight-management medicine.
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Mechanism
In plain terms, dulaglutide copies a natural gut hormone that lowers blood sugar and curbs appetite. Technically, it is a GLP-1 receptor agonist consisting of GLP-1 analogue peptides covalently linked to a modified human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) Fc fragment; the Fc fusion increases molecular size and slows clearance to allow once-weekly dosing. Receptor activation enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces food intake.
Regulatory Status by Region
- United States (FDA)Approved. Trulicity for type 2 diabetes (2014); an indication to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes was added in 2020.
- Australia (TGA)Registered on the ARTG (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes, available on prescription.
- European Union (EMA)Authorized (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes (marketing authorization granted 2014).
- WADANot prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists are not on the WADA Prohibited List and are not banned substances.
Key Studies
- Dulaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (REWIND): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial (Gerstein et al.) (opens in a new tab) (Lancet 2019;394:121-130; PMID 31189511)
- Once-weekly dulaglutide versus once-daily liraglutide in metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (AWARD-6; Dungan et al.) (opens in a new tab) (Lancet 2014;384:1349-1357)
Related Clinical Trials
- GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists in Obesity-Related HFpEF: The GLIDE-HF RegistryN/A · Not Yet Recruiting
- Metabolic Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation EliminationPhase 4 · Not Yet Recruiting
- Phase II Study of Switching From Dulaglutide to PG-102(MG12) in Type 2 Diabetes MellitusPhase 2 · Not Yet Recruiting
- A Study of Orforglipron (LY3502970) Compared With Dulaglutide in Pediatric Participants With Type 2 DiabetesPhase 3 · Not Yet Recruiting
- Determination of Resistance Training Status for Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsN/A · Recruiting
- Efficacy and Safety of Triple Therapy With Dulaglutide, SGLT2 Inhibitors, and Finerenone in Chinese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney DiseasePhase 4 · Not Yet Recruiting
- Emulation of the REWIND Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial in Healthcare Claims Data.N/A · Completed
- INcreTin-based thERapies for Cardiovascular Event PrevenTion in Patients With and Without ASCVD (INTERCEPT-ASCVD)N/A · Completed
Related News & Research
- Eli Lilly Discloses Phase 1 Data on Nisotirostide, a Novel NPY2 Receptor Agonist Designed to Add to GLP-1 Therapy
- This Week in Peptide Research: Orforglipron Dosing Data, GLP-1 Safety Signals, and a Teriparatide-Osteosarcoma Reporting Signal
- This Week in Peptide Research: GLP-1 Mechanism Studies, LL-37 Engineering Advances, and Kisspeptin's Reach Beyond Reproduction
- Large Matched-Cohort Study Finds Modest Retinopathy Risk With GLP-1 Drugs, No Significant Link to Rare Optic Nerve Disorder
- This Week in Peptide Research: Survodutide's Phase 3 Obesity Data, Mazdutide's US Phase 2 Trial, and a Bone-Peptide Cluster
Latest research
- In brief: A cardiovascular indication for tirzepatide (Mounjaro). (opens in a new tab)
The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics · Oct 12, 2026
- Cardiovascular outcomes with tirzepatide versus semaglutide in type 2 diabetes. (opens in a new tab)
Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders · Oct 5, 2026
- Nisotirostide (LY3457263), a novel NPY2 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and obesity: From discovery to clinical proof of concept. (opens in a new tab)
Molecular metabolism · Oct 3, 2026
- Tirzepatide safety in EudraVigilance: descriptive and disproportionality analysis of preferred terms related to suboptimal treatment outcomes and drug-use-related issues. (opens in a new tab)
BMJ open · Oct 1, 2026
Common Questions
- What is Dulaglutide?
- Dulaglutide is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist from Eli Lilly, marketed as Trulicity for type 2 diabetes and for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is FDA- and EMA-approved and TGA-registered, supported by the AWARD trial program and the REWIND cardiovascular outcomes trial. It is a prescription medicine used under medical supervision.
- Is Dulaglutide approved for medical use?
- Dulaglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Trulicity for type 2 diabetes (2014); an indication to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes was added in 2020. European Union (EMA): Authorized (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes (marketing authorization granted 2014). Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes, available on prescription.
- How does Dulaglutide work?
- In plain terms, dulaglutide copies a natural gut hormone that lowers blood sugar and curbs appetite. Technically, it is a GLP-1 receptor agonist consisting of GLP-1 analogue peptides covalently linked to a modified human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) Fc fragment; the Fc fusion increases molecular size and slows clearance to allow once-weekly dosing.
- Is Dulaglutide legal in Australia?
- Dulaglutide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes, available on prescription.
- Is Dulaglutide banned in sport?
- Dulaglutide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists are not on the WADA Prohibited List and are not banned substances.