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Key takeaways
Trulicity is a brand-name prescription drug FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults and children 10 years and older.
On average, Trulicity costs around $1,400 for four weekly injections at full retail price.
Many health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, cover Trulicity when prescribed for Type 2 diabetes.
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a brand-name prescription drug used to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes in people with Type 2 diabetes. Without insurance coverage, a 28-day supply of Trulicity can cost around $1,401. There is no generic version of Trulicity, but uninsured patients can purchase the drug at a discount using SingleCare.
How much does Trulicity cost without insurance?
The average cash price of Trulicity is $1,401 for four pen injectors containing 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL. Based on this average price, a weekly dose can cost about $350, although people typically buy four pens at once in a box. A full year of Trulicity therapy could cost almost $17,000.
Trulicity belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists). Like many other GLP-1 agonists, it is sold as a premium-priced brand-name medication. There are currently no generic versions of Trulicity available, which could lend to its potentially high costs. The only GLP-1 agonists with a generic version are Byetta (exenatide) and Victoza (liraglutide).
Those who are uninsured may want to consider asking a prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice about other medications that lower blood glucose. Other less-expensive drugs include metformin, glipizide, glyburide, pioglitazone, and acarbose. They may work differently than Trulicity and have different side effects, although some may not be suitable for every person’s medical situation.
RELATED: Trulicity alternatives
How much does brand-name Trulicity cost?
The average monthly cost of Trulicity is about $1,401. While a generic or biosimilar is not yet available, one may become available as early as 2026.
| Compare Trulicity prices to related drugs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Trulicity (dulaglutide) | $1,401 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL auto-injector pens | $777 per 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens
of brand-name Trulicity |
See latest prices |
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | $1,805 per
5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pens |
$1,214 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pens of brand-name Saxenda | See latest prices |
| Victoza (liraglutide) | $1,440 per 3, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pen injectors | $108 per 1, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL multidose pens of generic Victoza | See latest prices |
| Byetta (exenatide) | $1,027 per 1, 2.4 mL of 10 mcg/0.04 mL pen | $792 per 1, 2.4 mL of 10 mcg/0.04 mL pen of generic Byetta | See latest prices |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | $1,387 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL multidose pen | $825 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL multidose pen of brand-name Ozempic | See latest prices |
| Rybelsus (semaglutide) | $1,384 per 30, 7 mg tablets | $874 per 30, 7 mg tablets of brand-name Rybelsus | See latest prices |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | $1,821 per 4, 0.75ML of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens | $1,225 per 4, 0.75ML of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens of brand-name Wegovy | See latest prices |
| Riomet (metformin) | $545 per 0.63, 473 mL of 500 mg/5 mL solution | $167 per 0.63, 473 mL of 500 mg/5 mL solution of generic Riomet | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
Save up to 80% on Trulicity with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Trulicity costs by dose
Trulicity is taken once per week as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin). Doses start at a 0.75 mg dose, which can be increased to 1.5 mg every week after four weeks. The dosage can then be increased by 1.5 mg every four weeks up to a maximum dosage of 4.5 mg once per week. Prices do not vary based on dosage strength.
Compare Trulicity prices by strength |
|
|---|---|
| (per 4 injection pens) | |
| Strength | SingleCare price of brand-name Trulicity |
| 0.75 mg/0.5 mL | $784 |
| 1.5 mg/0.5 mL | $777 |
| 3 mg/0.5 mL | $738 |
| 4.5 mg/0.5 mL | $821 |
| See our lowest price for Trulicity without insurance | |
Is Trulicity covered by insurance?
Trulicity is covered by many commercial health insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare plans. If some plans don’t cover Trulicity, they might cover other GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic or Victoza.
Trulicity costs $0 to $30 per month in copay costs for 92% of people with employer-sponsored or private health insurance plans, according to Eli Lilly and Co., the drug manufacturer. About 70% of people with Medicare Part D plans pay $0 to $100 per month for a one-month supply of Trulicity. Other factors, such as deductibles and copays, will add to the out-of-pocket costs.
How to get Trulicity covered by insurance
Although drug coverage for Trulicity is common, the insurance company might deny paying for Trulicity for a variety of reasons. If Trulicity is prescribed for chronic weight management or any other off-label use, it’s almost certain to be refused. In that case, you can file a formulary exemption. The prescriber will need to submit paperwork justifying the prescription.
The insurance provider may refuse payment because of requirements like prior authorization or step therapy. Again, the prescriber has to submit paperwork regarding treatment history and medical necessity. Even with all the paperwork submitted, the prescription may still be turned down. In that case, both you and the prescriber can appeal the decision.
RELATED: Prior authorization explained
How to get Trulicity without insurance
At an annual average cost of almost $17,000, a Trulicity prescription may be challenging to pay for without insurance coverage. Patient assistance programs, manufacturer coupons, and a Trulicity savings card may help, but not everyone can meet the eligibility requirements. There are a few options, however, that may help.
1. Use a SingleCare discount card when purchasing Trulicity
A free Trulicity coupon from SingleCare can save people more than $500 on each Trulicity refill. SingleCare discount cards are accepted at thousands of local pharmacies. Unlike manufacturer coupons, anyone can use SingleCare regardless of insurance status and income level. Sign up for SingleCare’s loyalty savings program to earn bonus savings on Trulicity refills or other drug purchases.
2. Look for the best price
Many people don’t know that prices for prescription medications can vary between pharmacies. For high-priced drugs like Trulicity, the price difference between two pharmacies could be $100 or more. Be sure to check online pharmacy comparison tools or call around to compare prices before filling your prescription. Some pharmacies may also offer their own discount programs or coupons that can further reduce the cost.
3. Ask the prescriber about other GLP-1 drugs
Other GLP-1 receptor agonists may cost less. The retail price may still be high, but it could be hundreds of dollars less than Trulicity. Your prescriber can help you choose a medication based on your condition and budget. Some alternative GLP-1 drugs might have manufacturer savings programs or generic options available. For example, Victoza and Byetta are available as cheaper generics with the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts.
4. Switch to other diabetes drugs
If paying for a GLP-1 agonist is too challenging, ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about alternative diabetes medications that have not yet been tried. Purchased in their generic versions, these drugs may work well at reducing blood sugar. Options like metformin, sulfonylureas, or DPP-4 inhibitors may be significantly less expensive and still effective for many people.
5. Ask the prescriber about other weight loss medications
Even people with insurance coverage typically pay full price for Trulicity if it’s prescribed for obesity. If a formulary exception or appeal does not work, ask your healthcare provider about other weight loss drugs such as Xenical (orlistat) and Adipex-P (phentermine). These medications may work in different ways than GLP-1 agonists but may be better covered by your insurance plan.