Trulicity vs Ozempic: Comparing Diabetes Medications

Type 2 diabetes is a very real threat to human health, which can lead to an array of serious conditions and even prove fatal. It increases the risk of developing eye, heart, and kidney disease, foot problems, and stroke.

Recent studies show that 38 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, there are proven diabetes medications available to treat this condition, offering hope in the face of this devastating affliction.

Trulicity and Ozempic are among the most widely used alternative diabetes treatments. Read on to compare Trulicity vs. Ozempic and how they can help those with type 2 diabetes.

How Do Trulicity and Ozempic Control Diabetes?

Trulicity and Ozempic are classified as Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. As a result, these two medications can both lower serum glucose levels.

This can have several positive effects, like:

• Assisting with weight loss
• Mitigating heart disease
• Slowing kidney disease progression

These medications are most often used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Although metformin is the most commonly prescribed medication for diabetes, Ozempic and Trulicity are effective substitutes for patients who exhibit sensitivity to this drug.

Trulicity and Ozempic differ in terms of the active ingredient responsible for combating diabetes. Trulicity’s main ingredient is dulaglutide, while Ozempic’s active ingredient is semaglutide. Other active ingredients identified as GLP-1 receptor agonists include exenatide and liraglutide.

Indications for Using Trulicity and Ozempic

Ozempic and Trulicity are approved for treating adult cases of type 2 diabetes, but they both have additional health benefits for patients. Both are an effective measure for protecting type 2 diabetes patients from heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Trulicity is also approved as a treatment for glycemic control when used in conjunction with a diet and exercise plan. Ozempic is sometimes prescribed to assist with chronic weight management for patients who do not have diabetes.

Effectiveness of Trulicity vs. Ozempic

Injectible Ozempic increases the production of the incretin hormones naturally produced by the stomach during digestion. This helps the body produce more insulin as required, reducing the amount of sugar produced by the liver.

This helps lower blood sugar levels and HbA1c, helping reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Prescription Trulicity stimulates the body’s natural production of insulin, slows digestion, and inhibits the release of glucagon into the bloodstream. It is an effective aid in weight loss for obese patients.

Of the two, Ozempic is considered more effective at lowering blood sugar levels. In clinical trials, Ozempic helped more patients achieve A1C targets of less than 7% and led to greater weight loss than Trulicity. 

In simpler terms, this means that Ozempic achieved the desired results faster than Trulicity.

How to Take Trulicity and Ozempic

Both medications are administered once a week using subcutaneous injection, unless your doctor advises otherwise. You must follow your healthcare team’s instructions precisely to avoid any adverse effects associated with prescription medications.

You will find more information on the leaflet inside the Ozempic or Trulicity packaging. Be sure to get expert medical advice from a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your diabetes medication.

Side Effects of Trulicity and Ozempic

Trulicity rarely produces serious side effects unless the patient experiences an allergic reaction to the active ingredient, but it can cause some discomfort when administered to patients.

Common Trulicity side effects include:

• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Appetite loss
• Stomach pain

You must seek emergency medical assistance if you experience hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing after taking Trulicity. Severe upper stomach pain, a racing heart, and vomiting are signs of pancreatitis. You must seek urgent medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

Ozempic has similar side effects. Around one in ten patients may experience the following after taking this medication:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Speak to your doctor about measures to alleviate this discomfort or advice on alternative treatments. More seriously, Ozempic may cause diabetic ketoacidosis.

Warnings and Contraindications

All pharmaceuticals come with contraindications that can have serious health consequences. Red flags for Trulicity and Ozempic include a family or personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 or medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Neither medication should be taken in conjunction with weight loss medications or other GLP-1 agonists.

Patients with diabetic retinopathy who are using insulin might experience a worsening of this condition if they take Ozempic or Trulicity. Taking Ozempic with insulin also poses a risk of developing higher or lower blood sugar levels than desired.

Your physician will carefully adjust your insulin intake to compensate for this, so you must consult with them immediately if you experience any symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycemia.

Ozempic and Trulicity are not recommended for patients with kidney or liver disease.

Neither drug has been proven to be safe for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it’s best to stop your treatment before having surgery.

The Cost of Medications for Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes spend twice as much on medications as those without this condition. Trulicity and Ozempic are particularly expensive, costing around $1,000 for a month’s supply.

How much you pay for your diabetes medication depends on:

• The treatment plan prescribed by your doctor
• Your health insurance plan
• Your pharmacy

There are currently no generic versions of Trulicity and Ozempic available, but you can find cheaper prices available when you shop online at a Canadian pharmacy. Other ways to save on brand-name drugs include searching for discount coupons online or applying for a copay savings card from the manufacturer.

Get the Best Prices on Ozempic and Trulicity

To sum up, Ozempic benefits outweigh those of Trulicity when it comes to weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels. Both drugs have minor side effects but can present severe symptoms when used by patients with existing health conditions.

You should always consult your general practitioner if you have any concerns about your health or diabetes medication side effects. They are best equipped to assist you with more information on available drugs and diabetes management tips to help you in the fight against this disease. 

Read our blog to compare diabetes drugs like Trulicity vs. Ozempic and find out how to fill your prescriptions at the best possible price.