Key Points
- You may take Ozempic or Trulicity for type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment.
- Both Trulicity and Ozempic are GLP-1 agonists but use different active ingredients.
- Both drugs have promising results when it comes to glycemic control and weight management.
Have you heard of Trulicity® and Ozempic® two leading medications for managing type 2 diabetes? Both Ozempic and Trulicity are highly effective medications to control blood sugar and lower A1C levels. But how are they different?
Ozempic and Trulicity belong to the same drug class but use different active ingredients. Both have been shown in clinical trials to lower blood sugar and improve weight management but with different results. So, should you take Ozempic or Trulicity?
Let's break down Trulicity v. Ozempic to see which might be right for you.
What is Trulicity?
Trulicity is a medication by Eli Lilly that is approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes to lower A1C levels along with diet and exercise. It is also used to reduce the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who also have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Trulicity was first approved in 2014.
Trulicity's active ingredient is dulaglutide. Dulaglutide is in a class of medications called incretin mimetics, meaning it acts on the pancreas. It helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high, improving blood sugar control.
It is also a GLP-1 agonist, meaning it mimics the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone. GLP-1 receptor agonists lower blood glucose levels and help manage metabolism, which is why they often help with weight loss.
Dulaglutide injection also works by slowing the movement of food through the stomach, delaying gastric emptying. This leads to a sense of fullness sooner and feeling fuller for longer.
In Trulicity studies with other diabetes medication, 50% to 67% of adults reached an A1C <7% with an average starting A1C of 8% to 8.6% across 4 doses.
While Trulicity is not a weight loss drug, people lose an average of 10 lbs on the 4.5 mg dose. Only a doctor prescribes Trulicity and only for diabetes management.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic, by Novo Nordisk, is also approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes to lower A1C levels along with diet and exercise. It is also in the GLP-1 agonist drug class. In adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease, Ozempic reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death. It was first approved in 2017.
In Ozempic studies, adults lowered their A1C levels by up to 2.1% while also taking diabetes pills, and at least 56% of study participants reached an A1C under 7%, with as many as 73% achieving this on the 0.5 mg dose.
Ozempic may help you lose weight but it is not a weight loss drug. A doctor can prescribe Ozempic on-label only for diabetes to manage blood sugar levels. Studies by Novo Nordisk found that adults with type 2 diabetes taking Ozempic lost up to 14 pounds.
Trulicity v. Ozempic: Main differences
Ozempic and Trulicity both affect blood sugar to increase glycemic control. They improve diabetes but do not cure it. Both drugs are FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Main ingredients
Ozempic and Trulicity are in the same drug class of GLP-1s but have different main ingredients.
Ozempic's active ingredient is semaglutide.
Trulicity's active ingredient is dulaglutide.
Both of these ingredients have been shown in clinical trials to improve blood sugar.
Dosage
Each medication has its own dosing and treatment plan. Both are administered in a once weekly dosing subcutaneously via injection in the belly, upper arm, or upper thigh.
- Ozempic: The starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, and then your doctor will typically increase it to 0.5 mg. If needed, you can increase your dose. The maximum recommended dosage is 2 mg per week.
- Trulicity: The starting dose is 0.75 mg once weekly, with a possible increase to a maximum of 4.5 mg weekly.
Side effects
Both Ozempic and Trulicity have side effects.
The most common side effects of Trulicity include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
Trulicity may cause pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, acute kidney injury, changes in vision, or gallbladder problems.
Dulaglutide slows gastric emptying and may affect the absorption of oral drugs taken at the same time.
The most common side effects of Ozempic are:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Ozempic may cause thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, vision problems, kidney issues, or gallbladder problems.
Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience with Ozempic or Trulicity. Side effects may change as you adjust your dose of either medication.
Continue to take the medications even if you feel well or your blood sugar has improved. Do not stop taking any medication without the supervision and/or approval of a doctor.
Cost
The list price of Trulicity is about $987 per month, but the amount you pay will largely depend on your insurance plan. Find out more about your potential costs and coverage here.
Ozempic's wholesale price is about $997 per pen. Ozempic offers a savings card that could enable you to pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month supply for up to 48 months. Learn more here.
Trulicity vs. Ozempic blood sugar control & weight loss results
Trulicity and Ozempic are both indicated for type 2 diabetes treatment, though the American Diabetes Association (ADA) still considers metformin to be the preferred first-line therapy T2D.
One study found a 1 mg dose of semaglutide (the main ingredient in Ozempic) to be more effective at reducing A1C levels from baseline than a 3.0 or 4.5 mg dose of dulaglutide (the main ingredient in Trulicity).
The same study also found semaglutide to be more effective in causing weight loss.
Another study comparing dulaglutide and semaglutide (Trulicity and Ozempic) found that semaglutide reduced A1C by 1.5% while dulaglutide reduced it by 1.1%. Up to 63% of Trulicity users lowered their A1C levels below 7% while up to 73% of Ozempic users achieved the same. The study found that at both higher and lower doses, semaglutide was more effective at blood sugar control and weight loss than dulaglutide.
Both Ozempic and Trulicity have been found to help in weight management even though they are not indicated as weight loss drugs.
Studies from the producer of Trulicity, Eli Lilly, found that at 36 weeks, Trulicity led to a mean weight loss of up to 10.1 pounds, depending on the dosage.
A study from Novo Nordisk, the producer of Ozempic, directly compared the results of Ozempic and Trulicity. It found that Ozempic led to more than double the weight loss for each dose compared to Trulicity. After 40 weeks, Ozempic led to a weight loss of 9.3-12.8 pounds, while Trulicity led to a weight loss of 4.6-6.2 pounds.
The same study also found that the drugs had similar rates of side effects when it comes to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.
Switching from Trulicity to Ozempic
Can you switch from Trulicity to Ozempic? The only way to change between medications is with a new prescription from a medical provider.
If you are interested in switching from Trulicity to Ozempic, start by talking to your doctor. Discuss your interests and concerns to see if Ozempic might be a good fit for you based on your current and previous blood sugar levels.
When you switch from Trulicity to Ozempic, you may experience side effects as your body adjusts to semaglutide. Talk about any side effect concerns with your medical provider.
How a dietitian can help with diabetes treatment
If you've been prescribed Ozempic or Trulicity, or you're looking to start diabetes medication, one of the best ways to ensure lasting success is by partnering with a registered dietitian (RD).
An RD can walk you through what to expect as you begin taking the Ozempic or Trulicity and help you navigate side effects and a changing appetite as you go through treatment initiation. They can share recipes that support greater blood sugar control while also meeting your goals. If you are also trying to lose weight, your RD can create a plan to that effect, supporting your every need.
Finding a qualified diabetes dietitian is easy with Fay. You can easily search for a dietitian specializing in diabetes and/or GLP-1 medications to find someone with availability. And, Fay bills directly to insurance on your behalf, making your nutrition services much more affordable and accessible.
Get started with an expert diabetes dietitian today with Fay.
The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.
Sources
- FDA - Ozempic
- FDA - Trulicity
- Eli Lilly - Trulicity
- Drugs.com - Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
- Novo Nordisk - Ozempic Dosing Schedule
- StatPearls - Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
- Medline Plus - Dulaglutide Injection
- American Health & Drug Benefits - Trulicity (Dulaglutide): A New GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Once-Weekly Subcutaneous Injection Approved for the Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
- Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism - An indirect treatment comparison of the efficacy of semaglutide 1.0 mg versus dulaglutide 3.0 and 4.5 mg
- The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology - Semaglutide versus dulaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 7): a randomised, open-label, phase 3b trial
- Novo Medlink - Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection—compelling weight loss across doses