If you’re looking at treatment options for type 2 diabetes, you may want to learn more about Trulicity (dulaglutide). It’s a prescription drug used in adults to help with the following:

  • Managing blood sugar levels. Trulicity is used along with diet and exercise to help lower blood sugar levels associated with type 2 diabetes in adults.
  • Reducing the risk of major cardiovascular (heart or blood vessel) events. Trulicity is used to help lower the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attack, stroke, and death. This use is for adults with type 2 diabetes who also have (or are at risk of having) heart disease.

Trulicity comes as a liquid solution that you give yourself as an injection under your skin. It contains the active ingredient dulaglutide. (The active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

You can read about Trulicity and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Trulicity, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Trulicity can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Trulicity, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Trulicity. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the drug is covered. If Trulicity requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Ask your insurance company if Trulicity requires prior authorization.

If you need help understanding your insurance, check out these websites.

You can find information on insurance, drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards on these sites.

The Trulicity Savings Card (similar to a copay card) may be available to people with certain kinds of health insurance. The drugmaker also provides information via email or by phone at 844-878-4636.

The Lilly Cares Foundation may also offer a Patient Assistance Program. You can learn about this program by visiting the Foundation website or by calling 800-545-6962.

If you have questions about paying for Trulicity, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You will need to talk to your insurance provider if you have health insurance.

There are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Is there a manufacturer coupon or coupon card available for Trulicity?

Yes. If you have certain types of health insurance and need copay assistance, there are options available. For example, the drugmaker offers the Trulicity Savings Card. With this coupon card, you can get 12 Trulicity pens at an extremely reduced price.

For more cost savings options, see “Can I get help paying for Trulicity, such as with a copay card?” Below is a link to a page about how to lower my long-term drug costs.

How much does Trulicity cost without insurance vs. with insurance?

Trulicity is a brand-name biologic drug, so it is usually expensive without insurance. The drugmaker gives an estimate of the out-of-pocket cost, but this can vary depending on where you get it.

The cost or copay for your Trulicity prescription will depend on your specific kind of insurance coverage. Medicare and Medicaid health insurance plans will be different from marketplace plans and private or employer plans.

Some health insurance plans will cover Trulicity, and others will choose other diabetes medications to cover instead. For example, your insurance might cover Victoza instead of Trulicity. You can learn more about the differences between these two drugs in this article.

“If you have insurance, you should talk to your provider to find out how much Trulicity will cost. If you don’t have insurance, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacy about the cost of the drug.”

Is there a Trulicity coupon for people with Medicare?

Some Medicare drug benefit plans cover Trulicity and others don’t. But if you have Medicare or Medicaid, you may not be eligible for the drugmaker’s savings card.

Trulicity is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It currently does not come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The drugmaker of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you take Trulicity long term, you can lower your costs.

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Trulicity if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of Trulicity, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Trulicity. And you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you still have questions about the cost of Trulicity, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you will pay. If you have health insurance, you will need to talk to your insurer to find out the actual cost for Trulicity.

You can ask your doctor or insurance provider questions.

  • Is it possible that my cost will be lower if I take a lower dose of Trulicity?
  • Will Trulicity cost me less if I choose a different health insurance plan?
  • Are there drugs that cost less than Trulicity that can help treat my type 2 diabetes?
  • Can I use the Trulicity Savings Card more than once?
  • Are there other drugs that cost less than Trulicity that are not biologics?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.