Does Trulicity need refrigeration and how long can it stay out of the fridge? Eli Lilly storage rules for the dulaglutide pen, plus red flags.
Key points
- 01Unopened Trulicity is stored refrigerated (2 to 8 °C). Eli Lilly's Instructions for Use describes storing unopened Trulicity prefilled pens refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F) until first use. Keep the pen in the original carton to protect it from light.
- 02The time-out-of-fridge window for Trulicity is up to 14 days. The prescribing information describes storage at room temperature up to 30 °C (86 °F) for up to 14 days if needed. That is a shorter window than the 56 days on Ozempic or the 28 days on Wegovy. After that, a pen must be discarded even if it still holds medication. Always verify the current package insert.
- 03Never freeze it. The prescribing information describes discarding frozen Trulicity. Freezing alters the protein structure of dulaglutide. Do not store the pen against the cold back wall or cooling element of the refrigerator, where it can freeze.
- 04Trulicity is a prefilled pen holding one weekly dose. The Trulicity prefilled pen is a single-use autoinjector that delivers one weekly dose. The 14-day window applies to a pen taken out of the fridge and kept at room temperature before you use it. For the administration steps themselves, see the guide on how to inject Trulicity.
- 05Mark the date it first left the fridge. Because the room-temperature window starts at first removal, it helps to write that date on the carton. This lets you identify the 14-day discard day reliably.
- 06Keep Trulicity below 30 °C and away from heat and light. The documented upper limit for room-temperature storage is 30 °C (86 °F). A car in summer sun, a windowsill, or an overheated hotel room can exceed it. Keep the pen in its original carton to shield it from light.
- 07Let a refrigerated dose warm before injecting. A refrigerated dose is described as more uncomfortable to inject in the patient-education literature. A room-temperature dose is associated with less stinging. About 30 minutes out of the fridge is enough, and the pen is not re-warmed by any other method.
- 08For travel, a simple cooling pouch is often enough. For trips inside the 14-day window, a cooling pouch is optional. For long ground time in hot climates, an evaporative pouch holds contents at roughly 18 to 26 °C. The flying with GLP-1 medications guide covers airport security and cooling cases.
Frequently asked questions
Does Trulicity need to be refrigerated?+
Unopened Trulicity is stored refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F) per the prescribing information. Before use it may be kept at room temperature up to 30 °C for up to 14 days if needed. Verify against the current package insert.
How long can Trulicity be left out of the fridge?+
The Trulicity prescribing information describes a window of up to 14 days at room temperature below 30 °C (86 °F). After 14 days a pen must be discarded even if it still holds medication.
Is the out-of-fridge window shorter than Ozempic's?+
Yes. Trulicity describes up to 14 days out of refrigeration at room temperature below 30 °C. Ozempic (56 days) and Wegovy (28 days) run longer, and Zepbound and Mounjaro allow 21 days. Always check your own package insert.
What happens if Trulicity was frozen?+
The prescribing information describes discarding frozen Trulicity; it must not be used. Freezing alters the protein structure of dulaglutide. Do not store it against the cold back wall of the refrigerator.
Can I put Trulicity back in the fridge after it has been at room temperature?+
Yes, as long as the total time out of refrigeration stays within 14 days and the temperature stayed below 30 °C. The window counts cumulative time at room temperature, not each individual move.
