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Dul7.0
Dulaglutide Research
Too few graded studies
143 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Too few graded studies
Dulaglutide doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2012–2026 with a typical study size of 607 participants.
Based on 143 studies · 15 meta-analyses · 107 RCTs · 607 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
By outcome
Blood sugar & glycemic controlLarge, consistent HbA1c reductions across the AWARD phase-3 program; superior to insulin glargine and exenatide · Weeks to months
Too few graded studies107 studies
Weight managementReal but modest weight reduction (typically a few kilograms, dose-dependent) — less than semaglutide head-to-head · Months
Too few graded studies19 studies
Cardiovascular outcomes12% relative reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in the dedicated REWIND outcomes trial (HR 0.88) · Months to years
Too few graded studies19 studies
Safety & adverse effects
Too few graded studies12 studies
Active research area
76 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
201220192026
1Meta-Analysis2016
Zhang L, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Tong N · Sci Rep (2016)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
In plain English: Overall, GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment reduced MACE by 12% (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82-0.94; p<0.0001)... a broad composite kidney outcome by 17% (0.83, 0.78-0.89; p<0.0001)... There was no increase in risk of severe hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer.
Class-level 12% reduction in MACE (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82-0.94), with 12% lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality and 9% fewer heart-failure hospitalizations
17% reduction in a composite kidney outcome (HR 0.83), mainly driven by reduced urinary albumin excretion
In plain English: Regardless of the GLP-1 RAs used, it is apparent that GI AEs are significant and highly prevalent.
Joy B, Ramsamooj A, Ibrahim S, Wen J, Hsu N, Frezza E. · Endocrine (2026)
Head-to-head comparisons revealed tirzepatide to carry the highest risk ratios for nausea and diarrhea while semaglutide carries the highest risk ratios for vomiting and constipation.
CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the GLP-1 RAs used, it is apparent that GI AEs are significant and highly prevalent.
Thus, it is crucial that patients and providers alike are aware of these AEs when considering their use.
In plain English: Insulin regimens and specific glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) added to metformin-based background therapy produced the greatest reductions in hemoglobin A1c.
Tsapas A, Avgerinos I, Karagiannis T, Malandris K, Manolopoulos A, Andreadis P, Liakos A, Matthews DR, Bekiari E. · Ann Intern Med (2020)
Network meta-analysis of 453 trials assessing 21 antidiabetic interventions across 9 drug classes
GLP-1 receptor agonists (including dulaglutide) added to metformin-based therapy were among the most effective for HbA1c reduction
In patients at increased cardiovascular risk, specific GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors favorably affected vascular outcomes
In plain English: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical University (TSGHIRB E202516007).
Lin PY et al. · Journal of hematology & oncology (2026)
Dulaglutide was associated with a significantly increased risk of overall hematologic malignancy (RR = 2.17, 95% CIs = 1.14–4.17).
In contrast, tirzepatide (RR = 0.22, 95% CIs = 0.06–0.78) and linagliptin (RR = 0.51, 95% CIs = 0.27–0.95) were linked to a reduced overall risk.
In this histopathology-focused NMA, dulaglutide emerged as the only agent with a significantly elevated overall hematologic malignancy risk, whereas tirzepatide and linagliptin exhibited protective profiles.
In plain English: In conclusion, thevketogenic diet combined with dulaglutide can effectively improve glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin function and quality of life in diabetes mellitus patients.
Gao R, Yan L, Du X, He S, Xue L, Li T, Wei M, Gu Y. · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (2025)
The results showed that, in comparison with the control group, the blood glucose and blood lipid levels in the study group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05).
The insulin resistance index of the study group was decreased and the insulin sensitivity index was increased (P<0.05).
At the 6-month follow-up, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was lower and the quality of life was better in the study group (P<0.05).
In plain English: Mazdutide was generally safe, although the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was higher for mazdutide than for dulaglutide.
Guo L, Zhang B, Xue X, Zhang X, Cai H, Jiang H, Zhang L, Jin P, Wang X, Cheng Z, Zhang S, Geng J, Guo Y, Hu H, Ma Q, Li L, Du H, Han-Zhang H, Xue F, Deng H, Qian L, Yang W, DREAMS-2 investigators. · Nature (2026)
Significantly greater reductions in body weight were achieved with mazdutide than with dulaglutide, with a least-squares mean treatment difference of -3.78% for 4 mg mazdutide and -5.76% for 6 mg mazdutide (both P < 0.0001), relative to dulaglutide.
Moreover, significantly more participants who received mazdutide 4 mg or 6 mg reached the composite end point of HbA 1c < 7.0% with a body-weight reduction of at least 5% at week 28 (both P < 0.0001), compared with those who received dulaglutide.
The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
In plain English: Together, existing preclinical and clinical data suggest that GLP-1 is involved in the AUD process and imply the role of GLP1-RAs as a tentative treatment for AUD.
Zawilska JB et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2026)
There are limited human data on the role of the GLP-1 system in AUD.
In registered clinical trials, exenatide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide reduced alcohol consumption.
Pharmacoepidemiologic studies documented a decreased risk of alcohol-related events in AUD patients using various GLP-1RAs and tirzepatide.
In plain English: Once-weekly ecnoglutide 0·6 mg and 1·2 mg were non-inferior to dulaglutide 1·5 mg in reducing HbA1c in adults with type 2 diabetes and elevated glucose concentrations on metformin monotherapy.
He Y, Mi N, Cheng Z, Xue H, Han J, Wang H, Wang H, Wu J, Shi X, Zhao S, Duan B, Zhu Y, Zhou Y, Li F, Wang X, Ling H, Wang S, Li Q, Jiang F, Yang M, Bing S, Zheng Q, Ning J, Guo M, Bu Y, Guan L, Li Y, Yang L, Guo W, Pan H, Li X. · The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology (2025)
At week 32, mean HbA 1c reductions were 1·91% (SE 0·05; -20·86 mmol/mol [0·53]) with ecnoglutide 0·6 mg, 1·89% (0·05; -20·69 mmol/mol [0·54]) with ecnoglutide 1·2 mg, and 1·65% (0·05; -18·02 mmol/mol [0·53]) with dulaglutide.
Estimated treatment differences versus dulaglutide were -0·26% (95% CI -0·39 to -0·13; -2·84 mmol/mol [-4·29 to -1·38]) with ecnoglutide 0·6 mg and -0·24% (-0·38 to -0·11; -2·67 mmol/mol [-4·14 to -1·20]; p=0·0002 for superiority) with ecnoglutide 1·2 mg.
During the 52 weeks, six (3%) of 206 patients in the ecnoglutide 0·6 mg group, eight (4%) of 208 patients in the ecnoglutide 1·2 mg group, and six (3%) of 207 patients in the dulaglutide group discontinued treatment due to adverse events.