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

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

Amaryl

Most common
hypoglycemia (up to 19.7%)
accidental injury (up to 16%)
nausea (up to 5%)
dizziness (up to 5%)

Trulicity vs. Amaryl Dosage

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

Amaryl

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.