Scientific context only. Not medical advice, not a recommendation to use.
At a glance
GLP-1receptoragonist designed as a fusion protein of two modified GLP-1(7-37) sequences covalently linked to a human IgG4-Fc fragment. FDA-approved 2014 (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes; EMA approval 2014.
Researched for
Glycaemic control in type 2 diabetesCardiovascular outcomes (REWIND)Renal risk reduction
Official status
US: Prescription
FDA-approved 2014 as Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; label expansion 2020 to include reduction of major cardiovascular events in T2D adults with established CV disease or multiple CV risk factors. Prescription-only.
Dulaglutide consists of two modified GLP-1(7-37) sequences covalently linked to a human IgG4-Fc. The Fc fusion increases molecular weight substantially (~60 kDa), reduces renal filtration and extends the half-life to several days. GLP-1 receptor activation glucose-dependently stimulates insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon, delays gastric emptying and modulates central satiety signalling.
02
Evidence at a glance
Reading note. The distribution shows on which evidence tier each observation sits. Strong colours mark stronger evidence — weaker tiers are deliberately visible, not hidden.
3 observations · single evidence tier
Human RCT
3
03
What the studies show
Human RCT
Mensch
Wysham C. et al. 2014
HbA1c reduction versus placebo, sitagliptin, exenatide and insulin glargine documented in the AWARD trial series
What does NOT follow: Effect size varies by comparator and concomitant therapy; nine AWARD trials overall.
Human RCT
Mensch
Gerstein HC. et al. 2019
Reduction of cardiovascular events (MACE) in type-2-diabetes patients — with and without established cardiovascular disease — over median 5.4 years in the REWIND trial
What does NOT follow: Unlike LEADER (liraglutide) and SUSTAIN-6 (semaglutide), REWIND included a larger subgroup without established CV disease — significant effect was observed there too.
Human RCT
Mensch
Reduction of the renal composite endpoint (macroalbuminuria, eGFR decline, renal replacement) reported in REWIND
What does NOT follow: Effect on renal endpoints is a class effect of GLP-1 RAs; consistent with semaglutide and liraglutide.
05
Pharmacokinetics
Theoretical concentration curve at a half-life of 110 h. Pure pharmacokinetic model — not a dosing recommendation.
Which routes of administration the available studies describe — neutral reporting, not a usage guide.
Subcutaneous
In AWARD and REWIND administered exclusively weekly subcutaneously — developed as a pen with hidden needle mechanism for self-administration.
07
Known adverse events from studies
Factual reporting of what studies observed. Not a safety statement for individual use.
Human RCT
Nausea
Most frequent documented event in the AWARD trials; mostly transient.
häufig in Titrationsphase
Human RCT
Acute pancreatitis (rare)
Class effect of GLP-1 RAs. REWIND found no significant increase versus placebo.
selten
07b
Interactions & combinations
Documented interactions and contraindications from studies, prescribing information and guidelines. Where no data exists, this is stated.
Reporting of risks, NOT a combination guide. The absence of an entry does not mean „safe to combine“ but „not sufficiently studied“.
No documented interactions recorded
We have not yet found robustly documented interactions for this peptide. This does NOT mean none exist — the data is limited.
08
Risks & hygiene aspects in the literature
What regulatory and scientific literature reports on risks, sterility and identity in non-pharmaceutical sources — descriptive, not a hygiene guide.
Thyroid C-cell carcinoma (boxed warning)
The FDA label contains a boxed warning based on tumours in rat studies. Clinical relevance in humans is not confirmed. Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 is a contraindication.
11
Legal status by country
Country
Status
Note
Checked
United States
Prescription
FDA-approved 2014 as Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; label expansion 2020 to include reduction of major cardiovascular events in T2D adults with established CV disease or multiple CV risk factors. Prescription-only.
2026-05-22
Germany
Prescription
EMA-approved 2014 as Trulicity. Prescription-only in Germany.
2026-05-22
JP
Prescription
PMDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
2026-05-22
12
Reconstitution calculator
Pure mg/mL maths — works like a calculator. Not a usage recommendation.
Peptides ship as a dry powder. Once dissolved in a liquid (reconstitution), this calculator answers a single question: how much substance is in one millilitre of solution afterwards?
1Enter the vial's substance amount (printed on the label).
2Enter how much solvent you add.
3Result = concentration in mg per mL.
Printed on the label
/
Liquid you add
=
2.50
mg / mL
5 mg in 2 mL gives 2.50 mg/mL — each millilitre contains 2.50 mg of substance.
Efficacy and safety of once-weekly dulaglutide versus insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (AWARD-7)