How to inject Trulicity in 5 easy steps

You already know how to swallow a pill or rub on a prescription lotion, but many people have never given themselves an injection before. That can change if you’re prescribed a GLP-1 medication like the type 2 diabetes drug Trulicity (dulaglutide). And hearing that you have to start giving yourself shots can bring on a lot of questions. How do you know if you’re doing it correctly? Will it hurt? What are you supposed to do with the needle afterwards? Keep reading to answer those questions and more on how to inject Trulicity.

How to inject Trulicity properly

To make the process simpler, it’s helpful to break it down into five easy steps.

1. Gather your supplies

First, remove the pen from the refrigerator, leaving the base cap on so that it stays sterile. Although Trulicity can be used directly from the cold, many people find there's less of a sting if they let the medication come to room temperature before using, says Dr. Allison Rhodes, M.D., who has dual board certifications in internal medicine and obesity medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Other supplies to gather: soap for washing your hands, and either pre-moistened alcohol swabs or alcohol with a gauze pad or cotton ball. Also helpful is a sharps container, a small bin that’s usually bright red or yellow, and has a biohazard symbol on it. You can get this kind of container at any drugstore. You can also use another sturdy container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Do not store used pens in glass bottles, aluminum cans, coffee cans, milk jugs, or plastic water or soda bottles since these can be punctured or break.

2. Examine your Trulicity pen

Double-check the pen label to make sure the medicine has not expired and inspect the pen for any damage. The manufacturer notes that the medicine should not be cloudy, discolored, or have particles in it. Before using, make sure the pen is locked: The top green line near the injection button should be placed over the red triangle with the locked padlock symbol.

3. Clean the injection site

Once your supplies are in one place and you’ve looked the pen over, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and dry them with a paper towel (if you don’t have soap and water, hand sanitizer works too).

Next, use an alcohol wipe or some gauze or a cotton ball soaked in alcohol and gently clean the skin where you'll be doing the injection. Let the skin air dry instead of blowing on it, since that can introduce germs from your mouth into the area.

4. Inject your prescribed dose

Pull the base cap straight off and set aside, making sure not to touch the needle. Place the pen's base flat and firmly against your skin on the injection site and unlock by turning the lock ring — the line near the injection button will be turned to the green triangle with the unlocked padlock symbol.

Press and hold the green injection button on top, and you'll hear a loud click. Be sure to continue holding the pen against your skin until you hear a second click, which happens when the needle starts retracting. This should take about five to 10 seconds. At that point, remove the pen from your skin.

5. Discard the pen

After the injection, dispose of the used pen in a sharps container or other safe container, not in the trash. Once the container gets full, you’ll want to discard it. Check first with your local waste provider to see what the rules are in your area.

Trulicity injection sites: where to inject

Unlike some injections that are given into muscle — for example, a flu vaccine that's delivered into your upper arm muscle — Trulicity is administered into the skin in one of three areas:

Abdomen

You can inject Trulicity anywhere on your abdomen, as long as it's at least two inches away from the belly button, Rhodes says. Try to also avoid getting too close to the hip bones.

Upper arm

The back of your upper arm is challenging to reach on your own, but if you have someone to help with your injections, this can be a good spot, says Rhodes. Choose somewhere halfway between your shoulder and elbow.

Thigh

Choose an area in the center of the thigh, and avoid the more sensitive inner thigh area.

Trulicity injection site reactions

Any type of injection can cause irritation, and Rhodes says common reactions with Trulicity injections include redness, itchiness, or a painful sensation immediately after injection, which usually resolves within a few hours but may last a couple days. If you have a more serious allergic reaction — such as a hives, swollen or blistering skin, or itching that keeps getting worse — reach out to your health care provider.

Trulicity injection tips

Because Trulicity is injected once a week on the same day, the manufacturer suggests putting the injection days on your calendar as a reminder so you don't forget. Other important tips include:

Rotate injection sites

Doing an injection in the same site every time can raise your risk of those injection site reactions like sensitivity and irritation, Rhodes says. Because of that, she recommends choosing a different spot each time you inject. For example, inject into your right thigh one week, then the left thigh the next, then the right side of the abdomen after that, and so on.

Inject Trulicity into healthy skin

Don’t inject Trulicity into skin that’s scarred, bruised, irritated, sunburned, or has an open wound such as a scrape, says Rhodes. Only choosing spots with healthy skin will also help with reducing the risk of injection-site reactions.

Store pen or vial properly

The manufacturer recommends that you store all pens in the refrigerator to prolong shelf life. Don't freeze your Trulicity pen, and if it's been accidentally frozen, throw it away rather than thawing and using. Storing Trulicity pens in their original cartons is recommended to protect them from direct light, which can damage the medication and reduce its efficacy.

Do Trulicity injections hurt?

Because Trulicity involves a needle, there is a possibility of discomfort or slight pain. But the needle is small gauge, so it shouldn’t hurt badly, says Rhodes. By comparison, most vaccines require a longer large-gauge needle. If you experience any severe or sharp pain when you inject, talk with your health care provider.

The bottom line

It can be intimidating to think about giving yourself an injection, but Trulicity can be administered easily with just a few simple steps. Make sure your hands and the injection site are clean, gather your supplies in advance, choose the right spot to do the injection, and dispose of the needle safely afterwards. If you have questions or concerns — especially about side effects at the injection site — check in with your health care provider.