Trulicity vs. Amaryl
See how Trulicity and Amaryl compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Trulicity is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 drug that also lowers cardiovascular risk, while Amaryl is a once-daily pill that only targets blood sugar.
Amaryl carries a higher risk of low blood sugar and comes as a low-cost generic, while Trulicity has no generic and a much higher list price.
Trulicity is FDA-approved for kids 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, a use Amaryl does not have.
Trulicity vs. Amaryl Drug Summary
Trulicity
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to control blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. It is given as a once-weekly injection using a prefilled pen.
Amaryl
Amaryl (glimepiride) is a sulfonylurea used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by prompting the pancreas to release more insulin. It is taken as a tablet once daily, usually with breakfast or the first main meal.
Trulicity vs. Amaryl Side Effects
Trulicity
Amaryl
Trulicity vs. Amaryl Dosage
Trulicity
Amaryl
| 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 |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 mg or 2 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 8 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
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 |
Amaryl
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 mg or 2 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 8 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Trulicity vs. Amaryl Indications
Trulicity
Trulicity is 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 heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or multiple risk factors for it. Some doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes.
Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Blood sugar control in children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes
Reduces cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease or risk factors
Off-label: weight loss in people without diabetes
Amaryl
Amaryl is approved as an add-on to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can also be combined with insulin for patients whose blood sugar isn't controlled by either drug alone. It is not approved for use in children or for type 1 diabetes.
Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Used alongside diet and exercise
Can be combined with insulin when sulfonylurea alone isn't enough
Not approved for children or type 1 diabetes
Trulicity vs. Amaryl Pros and Cons
Trulicity
Trulicity offers cardiovascular protection on top of blood sugar control, a benefit sulfonylureas like Amaryl don't have. It requires only one injection a week, but it comes with a boxed warning and no generic option to lower cost.
Pros
Only needs to be taken once a week
Also reduces cardiovascular risk in high-risk adults
Approved for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes
Very low risk of causing dangerous low blood sugar on its own
Cons
No generic version, so it costs more out of pocket
Given by injection, which some people want to avoid
Carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors
Roughly $987 to $1,065 a month without insurance
Amaryl
Amaryl is a simple, low-cost daily pill that has been used for decades to manage type 2 diabetes. It doesn't offer any cardiovascular benefit and carries a real risk of low blood sugar, unlike Trulicity. It also isn't approved for use in children.
Pros
Available as a low-cost generic at most pharmacies
Taken as a pill, no injections needed
Once-daily dosing thanks to its long duration of action
Roughly $15 to $110 a month without insurance
Cons
Higher risk of hypoglycemia than Trulicity
No proven cardiovascular benefit
Not approved for use in children
Requires careful timing around meals to avoid low blood sugar
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