Mounjaro vs. Trulicity

See how Mounjaro and Trulicity compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist, while Trulicity (dulaglutide) targets only the GLP-1 receptor, a difference linked to greater average weight loss with Mounjaro in clinical trials.

  • Both drugs are approved for blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, and both carry a boxed warning for thyroid tumor risk seen in animal studies.

  • Trulicity has a longer safety track record since its 2014 approval and is also approved to lower cardiovascular risk, while Mounjaro is newer with a more involved six-step dose titration.

Mounjaro vs. Trulicity Drug Summary

Mounjaro

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injectable dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist approved to help control blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is also used off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes. Dosing starts low and increases gradually over several months to a maintenance dose.

Trulicity

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist approved to help control blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to lower cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and used off-label for weight loss. Dosing starts low and can be increased over time to a maintenance dose.

Mounjaro vs. Trulicity Side Effects

Mounjaro

Most common
nausea (12-18%)
diarrhea (12-17%)
vomiting (5-9%)
decreased appetite (8-11%)

Trulicity

Most common
nausea (up to 21.1%)
diarrhea (up to 13%)
vomiting (up to 13%)
abdominal pain (up to 13%)

Mounjaro vs. Trulicity Dosage

Mounjaro

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2.5 mg once weekly Weeks 1-4
Maximum dose 15 mg once weekly Week 21 onward
Dose changes 5 increases Every 4 weeks

Trulicity

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 0.75 mg once weekly Weeks 1-4
Maximum dose 4.5 mg once weekly If needed
Dose changes 3 increases Every 4 weeks

Mounjaro vs. Trulicity Indications

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and in children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes. Many prescribers also use it off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes, though Zepbound is the version specifically approved for that purpose.

  • Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Approved for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes

  • Off-label use for weight loss without diabetes

  • Not approved for type 1 diabetes

Trulicity

Trulicity is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease or multiple risk factors. Some prescribers use it off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes.

  • Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Approved for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes

  • Reduces cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease

  • Off-label use for weight loss without diabetes

Mounjaro vs. Trulicity Pros and Cons

Mounjaro

Mounjaro's dual GIP/GLP-1 action is linked to larger average reductions in blood sugar and body weight compared with GLP-1-only drugs like Trulicity. It requires a longer titration period, with up to six dose increases before reaching the highest maintenance dose. As a newer medication, it has less long-term real-world outcome data than older GLP-1 drugs.

Pros

  • Dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism linked to greater average weight loss in trials

  • Also sold as Zepbound, an FDA-approved medication specifically for weight loss

  • Six dose levels allow finer, more gradual titration

Cons

  • Longer path to full dose, taking up to 21 weeks total

  • Less long-term real-world safety data since its 2022 approval

  • Not approved to reduce cardiovascular risk

Trulicity

Trulicity has been on the market since 2014 and has a large body of long-term outcome data, including proven cardiovascular risk reduction. Its titration schedule is shorter, reaching a maintenance dose within about four weeks unless a higher dose is needed. Because it targets only the GLP-1 receptor, average weight loss tends to be smaller than with dual-acting tirzepatide.

Pros

  • Reduces cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease

  • Longer track record with over a decade of real-world use

  • Reaches maintenance dose faster, within about four weeks

Cons

  • No FDA-approved obesity-specific version like Zepbound

  • Single-hormone mechanism generally produces less weight loss than Mounjaro

  • May still need additional dose increases if 1.5 mg is not enough

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

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