Ozempic vs. Trulicity
See how Ozempic and Trulicity compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Ozempic and Trulicity are both once-weekly GLP-1 injections for type 2 diabetes, but only Ozempic is approved to slow chronic kidney disease progression.
Trulicity is approved for children as young as 10, while Ozempic is approved only for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Both drugs share the same boxed warning for thyroid tumors and list nausea as their most common side effect, though Trulicity's other GI side effects occur more often.
Ozempic vs. Trulicity Drug Summary
Ozempic
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also carries approvals to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with known heart disease and to slow chronic kidney disease progression. It's given as a once-weekly injection, starting at a low dose that increases over several weeks.
Trulicity
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to manage blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It's also approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease or multiple risk factors. It's given as a once-weekly injection via a prefilled pen, starting at a low dose that increases over several weeks.
Ozempic vs. Trulicity Side Effects
Ozempic
Trulicity
Ozempic vs. Trulicity Dosage
Ozempic
Trulicity
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 2 mg once weekly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 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 |
Ozempic
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 2 mg once weekly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 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 |
Ozempic vs. Trulicity Indications
Ozempic
Ozempic treats type 2 diabetes and also carries specific approvals for reducing cardiovascular risk and slowing kidney disease. It's not FDA-approved for weight loss, though many people use it off-label for that purpose.
Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (with diet and exercise)
Reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with known heart disease
Slow chronic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes
Trulicity
Trulicity treats type 2 diabetes in both adults and children 10 and up, and also reduces cardiovascular risk in people with heart disease or multiple risk factors. It's not FDA-approved for weight loss, though many people use it off-label for that purpose.
Blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes (adults and children 10+)
Reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with CVD or risk factors
Off-label: weight loss in people without diabetes
Ozempic vs. Trulicity Pros and Cons
Ozempic
Ozempic stands out for its kidney-protective indication and lower rates of GI side effects beyond nausea. Both drugs share a boxed warning for thyroid tumors and similar list prices.
Pros
Only GLP-1 shown to slow chronic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular benefit specifically proven in patients with existing heart disease
Lower rates of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain than Trulicity in trials
Cons
Not approved for children or teens, unlike Trulicity's age 10+ approval
Cardiovascular indication limited to established heart disease, not broader risk factors
Newer to market (approved 2017), with a shorter track record than Trulicity
Trulicity
Trulicity stands out for its pediatric approval and broader cardiovascular indication covering risk factors alone. Both drugs share a boxed warning for thyroid tumors and similar list prices.
Pros
Approved for children and teens with type 2 diabetes, starting at age 10
Cardiovascular indication also covers patients with multiple risk factors alone
On the market since 2014, a longer real-world track record than Ozempic
Cons
No FDA-approved use for chronic kidney disease, unlike Ozempic
Higher rates of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain than Ozempic in trials
No generic version available, unlike some other GLP-1 options
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