a drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed . the drive mechanism may be used with injector - type drug delivery devices , such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose . the drive mechanism may include a housing , a dose dial sleeve , and a drive sleeve . a clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch . conversely , when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de - coupled state , rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented . in the de - coupled state , axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device .