INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly and Co. has released Trulicity, a once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes, to U.S. pharmacies.

Lilly said Monday that Trulicity (dulaglutide) comes in a single-dose pen, in 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg doses, and doesn’t require patients to mix, measure, or handle the needle.

A glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), the medication is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

"Some adults with type 2 diabetes find that diet, exercise and oral medicines aren’t enough to meet their treatment goals," noted Dr. Laura Fernandez, senior medical adviser for Lilly Diabetes. "Trulicity may be an option for them as it has demonstrated proven glycemic control, only has to be taken once weekly, and comes in an easy-to-use pen."

Lilly said the Food and Drug Administration approved Trulicity on Sept. 18 based on results from studies of the medication used alone or in combination with commonly prescribed diabetes medications, including metformin, pioglitazone, glimepiride and insulin lispro. In a separate usability study, most patients agreed the Trulicity pen was easy to use, the company added.

To help make the cost of therapy more manageable, Lilly said, the Trulicity Savings Card can reduce out-of-pocket costs to $25 for each prescription of Trulicity, up to a value of $150 per month, for a maximum of two years. The savings is available for commercially insured patients only.