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
Trulicity
Mounjaro vs. Trulicity Dosage
Mounjaro
Trulicity
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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
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