Dulaglutide
Also known as: Trulicity, LY2189265
Dulaglutide (also called Trulicity or LY2189265) is an FDA-approved weekly GLP-1 agonist. Dulaglutide is a fusion protein in which two modified human GLP-1 analog sequences are joined by a peptide linker to the Fc fragment of a human IgG4 antibody.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 923950-08-7
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- ~63 kDa (Fc fusion)
- Half-life
- ~5 days
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- GLP-1 receptor
Research summary
FDA-approved once-weekly GLP-1 Fc-fusion peptide (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes and CV risk reduction in eligible T2D populations.
Peptide Library's Dulaglutide profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- 0.75–4.5 mg once weekly (labeled T2D range)
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- Cycle
- Long-term as prescribed
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Reconstitution Guide
- Single-dose pen
- Injection Sites
- AbdomenThigh
- Timing Notes
- Educational catalog only — not medical advice
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Dulaglutide is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole libraryHow to reconstitute Dulaglutide
- Check the vial size and diluent volume. The profile example for Dulaglutide is: Single-dose pen.
- Swab both vial stoppers and draw the bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Add the water slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial so it does not jet onto the powder, then swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, refrigerate it (see Storage & stability below), and use the calculator preset to convert a subcutaneous dose in mcg into syringe units.
Sequence & molecular data
| Molecular weight | ~63 kDa (Fc fusion) |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 923950-08-7 |
| Half-life | ~5 days |
| Appearance | Solution in single-dose pen |
| Formulation | Prefilled Pen |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Dulaglutide is a fusion protein in which two modified human GLP-1 analog sequences are joined by a peptide linker to the Fc fragment of a human IgG4 antibody. Substitutions in the GLP-1 portion confer resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase-4, while the Fc domain both increases hydrodynamic size beyond the renal filtration threshold and engages the neonatal Fc receptor recycling pathway. The combination extends half-life to around five days, supporting weekly dosing. Receptor activation itself is conventional GLP-1 pharmacology: glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppression of inappropriate glucagon release, slowed gastric emptying, and reduced appetite through hypothalamic and brainstem circuits.
Origin
Recombinant GLP-1–Fc fusion (Lilly).
Targets
Studies
- Comparative effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide, dulaglutide or tirzepatide: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Mazdutide Versus Dulaglutide for Weight Loss and Diabetes Management: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
- Mazdutide versus dulaglutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes
- Comparison of Dose Escalation Versus Switching to Tirzepatide Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Lower Doses of Dulaglutide : A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Effect of ketogenic diet plus dulaglutide on glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetes mellitus
Regulatory & research status
Dulaglutide is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
Potential Side Effects
Side Effects
- GI class effects
- Injection-site reactions
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Dulaglutide: frequently asked questions
What is Dulaglutide?
FDA-approved once-weekly GLP-1 Fc-fusion peptide (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes and CV risk reduction in eligible T2D populations.
How does Dulaglutide work?
Dulaglutide is a fusion protein in which two modified human GLP-1 analog sequences are joined by a peptide linker to the Fc fragment of a human IgG4 antibody. Substitutions in the GLP-1 portion confer resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase-4, while the Fc domain both increases hydrodynamic size beyond the renal filtration threshold and engages the neonatal Fc receptor recycling pathway.
Is Dulaglutide FDA approved?
Yes. Dulaglutide is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What is the half-life of Dulaglutide?
Reported half-life for Dulaglutide is ~5 days. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
Is Dulaglutide banned in sport?
Dulaglutide is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
What peptides are similar to Dulaglutide?
Compounds most often compared with Dulaglutide include Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Retatrutide and Liraglutide. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Trulicity labelExternal reference
- Comparative effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide, dulaglutide or tirzepatide: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Front Pharmacol, 2025External reference
- Mazdutide Versus Dulaglutide for Weight Loss and Diabetes Management: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials — Am J Ther, 2024External reference
- Mazdutide versus dulaglutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes — Nature, 2026External reference
- Comparison of Dose Escalation Versus Switching to Tirzepatide Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Lower Doses of Dulaglutide : A Randomized Clinical Trial — Ann Intern Med, 2025External reference
- Effect of ketogenic diet plus dulaglutide on glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetes mellitus — Pak J Pharm Sci, 2025External reference
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Dulaglutide profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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