Trulicity and Ozempic are each once-weekly GLP-1 agonist injections used to decrease blood sugar ranges in individuals with kind 2 diabetes.
This text will discover the important thing similarities and variations that can assist you decide which treatment could be best for you.
What are Trulicity and Ozempic?
Trulicity and Ozempic are name-brand injectable medicine categorised as GLP-1 agonists. Each are accredited by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) to handle blood sugar ranges in individuals with kind 2 diabetes.
Trulicity is accredited for youngsters ages 10 and up and adults, whereas Ozempic is accredited for adults solely.
Each medicines also can assist with weight reduction and assist forestall stroke, coronary heart assault, and untimely loss of life in these with kind 2 diabetes and preexisting coronary heart illness.
Learn extra in: The whole lot You Have to Know About Trulicity and The whole lot You Have to Know About Ozempic.
Why would you are taking Trulicity or Ozempic?
Chances are you’ll be prescribed one in every of these medicines when you have kind 2 diabetes, notably in case you are coping with insulin resistance, persistent excessive blood sugar (particularly after meals), and problem sustaining a wholesome weight.
Research point out that GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Trulicity can promote weight reduction, though neither is FDA-approved for this goal.
If prescribed off-label (in a way not formally accredited by the FDA), these medicines can also be used to enhance insulin sensitivity and assist with weight reduction, even in these with out kind 2 diabetes. At all times take them below a health care provider’s steering.
See extra in: The whole lot You Have to Know About Trulicity and The whole lot You Have to Know About Ozempic.
How are Trulicity and Ozempic related?
Trulicity and Ozempic share a number of similarities:
They don’t exchange insulin
These medicines don’t exchange insulin however can complement it in managing blood sugar ranges over time.
They assist decrease blood sugar steadily with out inflicting acute hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
As insulin resistance decreases, it’s possible you’ll require much less insulin to handle your blood sugar ranges.
They’re injectable medicines, taken as soon as every week
Each can be found solely as subcutaneous (below the pores and skin) injections, taken as soon as every week.
It’s necessary to take care of consistency by administering the therapy on the identical day and on the identical time every week.
They’ve related unwanted side effects
Trulicity and Ozempic share many unwanted side effects, which can embody:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomachache
- Suppressed urge for food
- Weight reduction
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Low blood sugar (if used with insulin)
Each medicines, although not often, can enhance the chance of growing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). You probably have a private or household historical past of MTC, you must keep away from these medicines.
Moreover, the FDA has issued a black field warning for each medicine relating to their affiliation with an elevated threat of thyroid most cancers.
Learn extra in: Trulicity Aspect Results: What You Have to Know and Ozempic Aspect Results: What You Have to Know.
They trigger weight reduction and decrease blood sugar ranges
Each Trulicity and Ozempic successfully decrease blood sugar ranges and promote weight reduction.
Though not FDA-approved particularly for weight reduction, many individuals expertise a discount of greater than 5 p.c of their physique weight whereas taking these medicines.
Since they aren’t accredited for weight reduction, there isn’t any really useful dosage particularly for that goal.
For those who’re contemplating choices for managing your weight, Trulicity or Ozempic could be appropriate decisions to debate together with your healthcare supplier.
Learn extra in: Trulicity and Weight Loss: Can Trulicity Assist You Lose Weight? and Can Ozempic Assist You Lose Weight?
They are often taken with or with out meals
The medicines may be taken with or with out meals, not like insulin, which may trigger sudden drops in blood sugar.
The most effective time to take your dose is whenever you’re almost certainly to recollect it every week.
See extra in: Trulicity Dosing: How A lot Ought to You Take? and Ozempic Dosage Information: How A lot Ought to You Take?
Whereas not required, having a small snack earlier than or after your injection could assist alleviate nausea.
Go for bland meals like bananas, rice, toast, applesauce, or clear-broth soups. Eating regimen performs a vital position when adjusting to a brand new treatment, so be conscious of the meals you select.
See extra in: Meals to Keep away from When Taking Trulicity and Meals to Keep away from Whereas Taking Ozempic.
How are Trulicity and Ozempic totally different?
Though related, the medicines have key variations.
Their lively elements are totally different
Though Trulicity and Ozempic are each GLP-1 agonists, they differ of their lively elements. Trulicity accommodates dulaglutide, whereas Ozempic accommodates semaglutide.
In case you are allergic to both of those elements, seek the advice of your physician earlier than beginning therapy, as you would expertise extreme unwanted side effects.
Ozempic could also be simpler
In a pivotal research evaluating semaglutide (Ozempic) and dulaglutide (Trulicity) in individuals with kind 2 diabetes, semaglutide was discovered to be simpler at enhancing blood sugar administration and decreasing physique weight at each excessive and low doses, with the same security profile.
For those who’re coping with extreme insulin resistance and problem sustaining a wholesome weight, contemplate discussing Ozempic together with your physician to see if it could be a superb match for you.
Continuously requested questions
Can I swap between the 2?
Sure, it’s potential to modify between Trulicity and Ozempic.
Nevertheless, your healthcare supplier will doubtless suggest ready every week after your final dose of 1 earlier than beginning the opposite to attenuate the chance of extreme unwanted side effects.
For those who’re allergic to both of their lively elements — semaglutide in Ozempic or dulaglutide in Trulicity — you shouldn’t swap between them.
For those who’re experiencing vital unwanted side effects with one, making an attempt the opposite could be a greater choice, as your physique could tolerate it in another way.
Can I take each on the identical time?
No, you can’t take Trulicity and Ozempic collectively, despite the fact that they’ve totally different lively elements.
Double-dosing GLP-1 agonists can result in extreme unwanted side effects, together with dangerously low blood sugar, which might be life-threatening if not handled.
For those who by accident take each medicines on the identical time or inside a 2-day interval, name your physician instantly or search emergency medical consideration.
Which treatment is correct for me?
Selecting between Trulicity and Ozempic is a call that you simply and your healthcare supplier ought to make collectively, based mostly in your well being historical past, objectives, life-style, and preferences.
At all times contemplate the lively elements and any potential allergy symptoms. Moreover, verify your medical health insurance protection to see which medicines are on the popular drug listing, making certain you choose an inexpensive, long-term choice.
Whereas there aren’t any generic variations of Trulicity or Ozempic, your physician could recommend extra inexpensive options.
Study extra in The whole lot You Have to Know About Trulicity and The whole lot You Have to Know About Ozempic. Did you discover this text useful? Click on Sure or No under to tell us!