Trulicity and Ozempic are weekly injections of a GLP-1 agonist used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
They may sound similar, but each of these drugs has different side effects and different active ingredients.
How do you know which medicine is right for you? In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between these two popular treatments.
What are Trulicity and Ozempic?
the truth and ozempic both are branded injectable drugs that belong to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or GLP-1 agonist drug class.
Both are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for management blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
In addition, these drugs can help with both weight loss and the prevention of stroke, heart attack, and premature death in people living with type 2 diabetes and pre-existing heart disease.
Why would you take Trulicity or Ozempic?
You can prescribe Trulicity or Ozempic if you have type 2 diabetes and suffer from insulin resistance, persistently high blood sugar (especially after meals) and have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.
Research shows that participants who take GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic and Truthlose weight. However, it’s important to note that no drug is FDA approved for weight loss.
If you have been prescribed Trulicity or Ozempic but do not have type 2 diabetes, you have been prescribed an “off-label” medication. This means that the drug has been prescribed for a purpose that has not yet been approved by the FDA.
Trulicity and Ozempic are often prescribed off-label to increase insulin sensitivity and help with weight loss.
Do not take Trulicity or Ozempic unless prescribed for you, and only take medicines under the supervision of a doctor.
How are Trulicity and Ozempic similar?
These drugs are similar in many ways, including:
They do not replace insulin
Although these drugs lower blood sugar over time, they do not cause acute low blood sugar.
If you are taking insulin to manage diabetes, Trulicity or Ozempic will complement your routine insulin therapy.
However, if you become less insulin resistant over time, they may reduce the amount of insulin you need to take to control your blood sugar.
These are injectable medications that are taken once a week
Trulicity and Ozempic are only available as an injectable, taken subcutaneously (meaning they are taken under the skin).
It is important to be consistent and take the treatment on the same day at the same time, once a week.
They have similar side effects
The side effects of Trulicity and Ozempic are remarkably similar and can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomachache
- Suppressed appetite
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Low blood sugar if you are using insulin
Although rare, both drugs increase the likelihood of developing medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Do not take Trulicity or Ozempic if you have a personal or family history of MTC.
Additionally, the FDA issued black box warning about the use of Trulicity and Ozempic and the association with an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
Learn more about Trulicity side effects and Ozempic side effects.
They cause weight loss and lower blood sugar levels
Both of these drugs help lower both blood sugar and weight.
Although they are not FDA approved for weight loss, many patients taking both of these drugs lose weight. Most patients lose more than 5% of your body weight.
Since they are not FDA approved for weight loss, there is no recommended dosage specifically for weight loss.
Are you taking the next steps on your weight management journey? Taking Trulicity for weight loss or Ozempic for weight loss may be right for you.
They can be taken with or without food
Unlike insulin, neither Trulicity nor Ozempic causes acute low blood sugar. They can be taken with or without food.
The best time of day to take your dose of Trulicity or Ozempic is when you routinely remember it.
While these medications do not require you to take them with food, it may be helpful to eat a small snack before or after your injection.
Choose bland foods like bananas, rice, toast, applesauce, or clear broth soups to relieve nausea.
Diet plays a key role as you adjust to a new drug. Avoid these foods while taking Trulicity. Avoid these foods while taking Ozempic.
What is the difference between Trulicity and Ozempic?
Although similar, these drugs also have some differences. Below are the differences between Trulicity and Ozempic.
Their active ingredients are different
Although both of these drugs are GLP-1 agonists, the active ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide and the active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide.
If you are allergic to any of these active ingredients, talk to your healthcare provider before starting a treatment regimen as severe adverse side effects may occur.
Ozempic may be more effective
In one key studysemaglutide and dulaglutide were studied in a randomized trial in people with type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that at both high and low doses, semaglutide was more effective at improving glycemic control and weight loss than dulaglutide, with a similar safety profile.
If you struggle with severe insulin resistance and have trouble maintaining a healthy weight, you may want to talk to your doctor about trying Ozempic and see if you can tolerate it well.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch between them?
It is possible to switch between using Trulicity and Ozempic.
However, your doctor will most likely tell you to wait a week after taking your last dose before starting the next one to avoid more serious side effects.
You won’t be able to switch between them if you are allergic to any of their active ingredients – Ozempic’s semaglutide or Trulicity’s dulaglutide.
If you experience the debilitating side effects of one, it may be worth trying the other, which your body can tolerate better.
Can I take both at the same time?
NO. Although they have different active ingredients, double doses of GLP-1 agonists cannot be used.
If you do, you will experience serious side effects, including low blood sugar, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Call your doctor or get emergency medical help right away if you accidentally take both of these drugs at the same time or within 2 days.
Which medicine is right for me?
This is a decision that can only be made between you and your doctor and will depend on your health history, health goals, lifestyle and preferences.
Always consider the active ingredients of the medications you take and be aware if you are allergic to them.
It’s also important to check your health insurance to find out what drugs are on your preferred drug list. This way, you can choose inexpensive options that are sustainable in the long run.
Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Trulicity or Ozempic, but your doctor may have other alternatives that are less expensive.
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