Key takeaways:
Store Trulicity (dulaglutide) pens in the refrigerator at a temperature between 36°F and 46°F. You can also leave them at controlled room temperature (up to 86°F) for up to 14 days. Don’t freeze your Trulicity pens.
Leave your Trulicity pens in their original package until you’re ready to inject your dose. Exposure to direct light and extreme temperatures can affect how well the medication works.
Whether flying or driving, it’s best to keep Trulicity pens as close to you as possible. So pack them in your carry-on bag when traveling on the plane. Avoid placing them in the trunk when traveling by motor vehicle.
There are ways to save on Trulicity. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you access Trulicity for as little as $25 per prescription. A patient assistance program is also available.
Save on related medications
When you pick up Trulicity (dulaglutide) from the pharmacy, you’ve likely seen pharmacy staff pull the prescription bag out of the refrigerator. This is a good indicator that you should keep the medication in the fridge when you get home.
But what if you leave Trulicity out of the fridge overnight? And what’s the best way to store it when traveling? Here are answers to these questions and five tips to consider for Trulicity storage and refrigeration.
1. It’s best to keep Trulicity in the fridge until you’re ready to inject a dose
The best place to store Trulicity pens is in the refrigerator, at a temperature between 36°F and 46°F, until you’re ready to use them. To help make the injection more comfortable, you can take your pen out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you use it. Each Trulicity pen only contains one dose of the medication.
Avoid storing Trulicity near the fridge’s cooling unit. It can cause the medication to become too cold or freeze. It’s also a good idea not to store Trulicity in the refrigerator door. This area can expose the medication to changing temperatures when you open and close the door.
What happens if you freeze Trulicity?
Don’t put Trulicity pens in the freezer or allow them to freeze. Once frozen, Trulicity may start breaking down and become less effective. You shouldn’t use any pens if they become frozen — even if the pens thaw out. If Trulicity freezes, throw the frozen pen away in a sharps container and use another one.
2. Trulicity can be kept at controlled room temperature for up to 14 days
Trulicity pens are still safe to use when stored at controlled room temperature (up to 86°F) for up to 14 days. So don’t worry if you have travel plans or if your fridge stops working. After 14 days, throw away any unused Trulicity pens stored at room temperature.
But keep in mind the expiration date printed on each Trulicity pen. It’s the last day the manufacturer considers the medication safe and effective to use. You’ll want to make sure that you use your pens on or before this date — even if 14 days haven’t passed.
Good to know: If you’ve left an entire carton of Trulicity pens out of the fridge, you’ll only be able to use up to two of the four pens in the box. Each carton of Trulicity contains a 4-week (28-day) supply of medication. But the pens should only be stored at room temperature for 14 days.
3. Keep Trulicity in the original box until it’s time for your dose
Be sure to leave your Trulicity pens in the original box until you’re ready to inject your dose. The box helps protect the pens from direct light. Exposure to direct light can break down the medication in your Trulicity pens.
If your Trulicity pens have been stored out of the carton, they’ve probably been exposed to light. You shouldn’t use them. Throw away any pens that were kept out of the box, and use one that’s been stored properly.
4. Keep Trulicity away from excessive heat
You should also keep Trulicity away from very warm areas (temperatures of 86°F or higher). Exposing your pens to higher temperatures can affect how well the medication works.
If storing your Trulicity pens in the fridge isn’t an option, you’ll want to store them in places that aren’t near a direct heat source. Consider keeping your pens away from kitchen cabinets that are directly above the stove. And stay away from bathroom cabinets where temperatures can be extremely warm and humid.
Considerations when using a mail-order pharmacy
Mail-order pharmacies are a convenient way of receiving your medications. But your Trulicity pens could be at risk of exposure to extreme temperatures during or after delivery.
Tips for success: Get pharmacist-backed tips for injecting Trulicity (dulaglutide), including how and when to administer doses.
What to expect: Learn about notable Trulicity side effects — from nausea to fatigue — and how to manage them.
How to save: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications like Trulicity don’t need to break the bank. Explore ways to save on your prescription with this GLP-1 savings guide.
Mail-order pharmacies use special packaging for medications that need to be kept at cooler temperatures. But if the package sits out, it could potentially reach temperatures below 36°F or over 86°F. You may want to schedule deliveries when someone will be at home so you can take the package inside right away.
Below are some ways you can tell if your Trulicity pens may have been exposed to extreme temperatures:
The Trulicity carton or pens feel warm or hot.
The liquid in the medication window of the pen appears frozen, cloudy, or has particles in it.
The shipping container or your Trulicity carton have an unusual odor.
Ice packs inside the shipping package are completely melted when you open it.
The temperature monitoring device inside the package shows the package was exposed to temperatures out of a safe range. Keep in mind that not all mail-order pharmacies use these devices.
What should you do if Trulicity is exposed to high temperatures?
If you know your Trulicity pens were exposed to unsafe temperatures, don’t use them. Call the mail-order pharmacy that filled your prescription if you believe it was exposed during delivery.
If you’re unsure whether your pens were exposed to heat, contact the pharmacy who filled your prescription. They can help determine if it’s safe to use. You can also contact Eli Lilly (Trulicity’s manufacturer) for additional guidance at 1-800-545-5979.
5. Keep Trulicity storage and refrigeration requirements in mind when traveling
When traveling, there are a few storage requirements to consider when packing your Trulicity pens. The goal is to keep your pens safe and effective for use while you’re away from home.
Whether traveling by plane or by car, pack your pens in an insulated travel case. Place a small towel between the ice pack and your Trulicity pens to prevent exposure to extremely cold temps.
If you’re traveling by plane, be sure to:
Pack smart. Keep all your medications and related supplies, such as alcohol swabs, together in one bag. Make sure your prescription medications all have pharmacy labels on them.
Alert TSA. Liquid medications and medical supplies are exempt from usual Transportation Security Administration (TSA) limits. But your trip through security will be faster if you let TSA agents know ahead of time that you have liquid medications.
Use carry-on luggage. Keep your medication in your carry-on bag. This prevents the medication from being exposed to extremely cold temperatures and changing air pressure in the checked baggage area under the plane.
When traveling in a car, be sure to:
Keep pens inside the vehicle’s main cabin. Avoid storing your Trulicity pens in the trunk of the car where they may be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Take Trulicity with you during long breaks. Make sure you carry your pens with you when stopping for long breaks. Leaving Trulicity in the car may cause the medication to break down due to excessive heat or cold exposure.
How to save on Trulicity
There are ways to save on Trulicity, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 per prescription for Trulicity using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Trulicity’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
Frequently asked questions
No, Trulicity doesn’t need to be at room temperature before you inject it. But it may be more comfortable to administer doses this way. Cold Trulicity may be more painful to inject.
There are a few ways to tell if Trulicity isn’t safe to inject. Don’t inject Trulicity if:
It’s past the expiration date on the package or pens
You know the pens were exposed to extremely high temperatures (over 86°F)
The liquid in your pen is frozen (even if it thawed out again)
The liquid in the pen’s medication window is discolored, cloudy, or contains particles
The package has an odor
Your pens appear damaged
You can inject Trulicity at any time of day, morning or night. Trulicity is a once-weekly injection. So make sure you administer doses on the same day each week. This helps the medication work consistently.
No, Trulicity doesn’t need to be at room temperature before you inject it. But it may be more comfortable to administer doses this way. Cold Trulicity may be more painful to inject.
There are a few ways to tell if Trulicity isn’t safe to inject. Don’t inject Trulicity if:
It’s past the expiration date on the package or pens
You know the pens were exposed to extremely high temperatures (over 86°F)
The liquid in your pen is frozen (even if it thawed out again)
The liquid in the pen’s medication window is discolored, cloudy, or contains particles
The package has an odor
Your pens appear damaged
You can inject Trulicity at any time of day, morning or night. Trulicity is a once-weekly injection. So make sure you administer doses on the same day each week. This helps the medication work consistently.
The bottom line
It’s ideal to store Trulicity (dulaglutide) in the refrigerator at temperatures between 36°F and 46°F. It’s OK to leave your pens at controlled room temperature (up to 86°F) for up to 14 days. Either way, leave your Trulicity pens in the original box until you’re ready to inject your dose.
Extreme temperatures and light exposure can damage Trulicity and make it less effective. Protect your pens by leaving them in the original container and storing them away from excessive temperature sources. You’ll want to follow the same storage considerations when traveling away from home.
Contact your pharmacist or the manufacturer if you believe your Trulicity pens have been stored incorrectly.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Tips for traveling with diabetes.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Trulicity - dulaglutide injection, solution [package insert].
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Disabilities and medical conditions. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
