Trulicity and Ozempic are each once-weekly GLP-1 agonist injections used for decreasing blood sugar ranges in individuals dwelling with sort 2 diabetes.
They might sound related, nevertheless, these drugs every trigger totally different uncomfortable side effects and have totally different energetic components.
How have you learnt which remedy is best for you? This text will discover the similarities and variations between these two well-liked therapies.
What are Trulicity and Ozempic?
Trulicity and Ozempic are each name-brand, injectable medicine that fall below the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or GLP-1 agonist, drug class.
They’re each accepted by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for the administration of blood sugar ranges in individuals with sort 2 diabetes.
Moreover, these drugs can help each in weight reduction and within the prevention of stroke, coronary heart assault, and untimely loss of life in individuals dwelling with sort 2 diabetes and preexisting coronary heart illness.
Why would you are taking Trulicity or Ozempic?
You might be prescribed Trulicity or Ozempic should you stay with sort 2 diabetes and are affected by insulin resistance, cussed excessive blood sugar ranges (particularly after meals), and have hassle sustaining a wholesome weight.
Research present that individuals who take GLP-1 agonists, together with Ozempic and Trulicity, drop some weight. Nonetheless, it is very important observe that neither remedy is FDA-approved for weight reduction.
Should you’ve been prescribed both Trulicity or Ozempic however do not need sort 2 diabetes, you’ve been prescribed the remedy “off-label”. Which means the remedy was prescribed for a goal not but accepted by the FDA.
Trulicity and Ozempic are sometimes prescribed off-label to assist enhance insulin sensitivity and support in weight reduction.
Don’t take Trulicity or Ozempic in case you are not prescribed the remedy and solely take drugs below the steerage of your physician.
How are Trulicity and Ozempic related?
These drugs are related in some ways, together with the next:
They don’t change insulin
Whereas these drugs decrease blood sugar over time, they don’t trigger acute low blood sugar ranges.
If you’re on insulin for the therapy of diabetes, Trulicity or Ozempic can be a complement to your insulin routine.
Nonetheless, should you develop into much less insulin resistant over time, they could scale back the quantity of insulin you’ll want to take to handle your blood sugar ranges.
They’re injectable drugs, taken as soon as per week
Trulicity and Ozempic are solely accessible in injectable type, taken subcutaneously (which implies, taken below the pores and skin.)
It’s essential to remain constant and take the therapy on the identical day on the identical time, as soon as weekly.
They’ve related uncomfortable side effects
The uncomfortable side effects of Trulicity and Ozempic are remarkably related and will embrace:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomachache
- Suppressed urge for food
- Weight reduction
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Low blood sugar, should you use insulin
Though uncommon, each drugs enhance the probability of creating Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). You shouldn’t take Trulicity or Ozempic when you have a private or household historical past of MTC.
Moreover, the FDA launched a black field warning about Trulicity and Ozempic’s use and the affiliation with an elevated danger of thyroid most cancers.
Be taught extra in regards to the uncomfortable side effects of Trulicity and the uncomfortable side effects of Ozempic.
They trigger weight reduction and decrease blood sugar ranges
Each of those drugs support in decreasing each blood sugar ranges and weight.
Though they don’t seem to be accepted by the FDA for weight reduction, many sufferers taking each of those drugs do drop some weight. Nearly all of sufferers lose greater than 5% of their physique weight.
Since they don’t seem to be FDA-approved for weight reduction, there isn’t any beneficial dose particularly for weight reduction accessible.
Are you taking the following steps in your weight administration journey? Taking Trulicity for weight reduction or Ozempic for weight reduction often is the proper resolution for you.
They are often taken with or with out meals
In contrast to insulin, neither Trulicity nor Ozempic trigger acute low blood sugar. They are often taken with or with out meals.
The most effective time of day to take your Trulicity or Ozempic dose is the time that you simply’ll routinely bear in mind to take it.
Whereas these drugs don’t require you to take them with meals, it may be useful to have a bit of snack both earlier than or after your injection.
Select bland meals, comparable to bananas, rice, toast, applesauce, or clear-broth soups, to assist alleviate nausea.
Food plan performs a key position if you’re adjusting to a brand new remedy. Keep away from these meals when taking Trulicity. Keep away from these meals when taking Ozempic.
How are Trulicity and Ozempic totally different?
Whereas related, these drugs even have some variations. The next are the variations between Trulicity and Ozempic.
Their energetic components are totally different
Though these drugs are each GLP-1 agonists, the energetic ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide and the energetic ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide.
If you’re allergic to both of those energetic components, speak to your physician earlier than beginning a drugs routine, as it’s possible you’ll expertise extreme, hostile uncomfortable side effects.
Ozempic could also be more practical
In a single pivotal examine, semaglutide and dulaglutide had been studied in a randomized trial of individuals with sort 2 diabetes.
Researchers discovered that at each excessive and low doses of the remedy, semaglutide was more practical at enhancing glycemic management and decreasing physique weight than dulaglutide, with an identical security profile.
Should you wrestle with extreme insulin resistance and are having hassle sustaining a wholesome weight, it’s possible you’ll need to speak to your physician about making an attempt Ozempic and see should you’ll tolerate it effectively.
Incessantly requested questions
Can I swap between the 2?
It’s doable to modify between utilizing Trulicity and Ozempic.
Nonetheless, your physician will more than likely make you wait per week after your final dose of 1 earlier than beginning one other, to keep away from extra extreme hostile uncomfortable side effects.
You won’t be able to modify between the 2 should you’re allergic to both of their energetic components—Ozempic’s semaglutide or Trulicity’s dulaglutide.
Should you’re experiencing debilitating uncomfortable side effects on one, it could be price it to attempt the opposite, which your physique might tolerate higher.
Can I take each on the identical time?
No. Though they’ve totally different energetic components, you can’t double-dose GLP-1 agonists.
Should you do, you’ll expertise extreme hostile uncomfortable side effects, together with low blood sugar, which could possibly be deadly if not handled.
Name your physician instantly or search emergency medical consideration when you have unintentionally taken each of those drugs on the identical time or inside a 2–day timeframe.
Which remedy is true for me?
It is a choice that may solely be made between you and your physician, and it’ll rely in your well being historical past, well being objectives, life-style, and preferences.
At all times take into account the energetic components in any remedy you’re taking, and remember when you have any allergy symptoms to them.
It is usually essential to test your medical insurance protection to be taught what drugs are on the popular drug listing. This manner, you’ll be able to select reasonably priced choices which are sustainable in the long run.
Sadly, there aren’t any generic variations of Trulicity or Ozempic, however your physician might produce other various drugs which are extra reasonably priced.