Key takeaways

Trulicity and Ozempic are both GLP-1 agonists that are FDA-approved for treating Type 2 diabetes. They are also both prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Ozempic may be more effective than Trulicity for blood sugar management and may also cause more or faster weight loss.
Only a healthcare provider can determine the best equivalent dose when switching from Trulicity to Ozempic.
Anyone interested in switching prescription diabetes medications should consult a healthcare professional about the benefits versus risks.

In this article:

Switching from Trulicity to Ozempic
How to switch
Side effects
Can you take Trulicity and Ozempic together?
The bottom line

In this article

Switching from Trulicity to Ozempic
How to switch
Side effects
Can you take Trulicity and Ozempic together?
The bottom line

Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both brand-name medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help treat Type 2 diabetes. Because these drugs suppress appetite, some healthcare providers prescribe them off-label for weight loss. However, another medication with the same active ingredient as Ozempic has been FDA approved for weight loss and is sold under the brand name Wegovy.

“Both medications are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but there are differences that make semaglutide a much more attractive option when compared to Trulicity,” says Raj Singh MD, a primary care physician at Healor in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some people wonder whether switching from Trulicity to Ozempic is possible. Because Trulicity and Ozempic are once-weekly injections used to treat the same condition, it’s easy to switch if the change is approved and prescribed by your healthcare provider.

What are the benefits of switching from Trulicity to Ozempic?

If someone is experiencing great results on Trulicity, switching to Ozempic may not be beneficial. However, sometimes, switching treatment options can improve results or side effects.

Anyone interested in switching to a new diabetes medication should consult their prescriber. “Your healthcare provider will determine the best GLP-1 medication based on factors such as blood glucose control, weight loss, and reducing cardiovascular risks,” says Angela Ginn-Meadow, RD, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.

Effectiveness

“Studies show that Ozempic works better at lowering blood sugar and promoting weight loss than Trulicity,” says Charu Sawhney, MD, an internal medicine physician at Harbor Health in Austin, Texas. “If one is not meeting their blood sugar or weight loss targets with Trulicity, a switch to Ozempic can be made.”

A 40-week comparison study found that Ozempic 0.5 mg reduced glucose levels (measured through A1C) by 1.4%, while Trulicity 0.75 mg resulted in a 1.1% A1C reduction.

Ozempic may also lead to more significant weight loss than Trulicity. In the study mentioned above, the mean body weight change from baseline to 40 weeks was 9.3 pounds on Ozempic 0.5 mg and 4.6 pounds on Trulicity 0.75 mg. “For many patients with Type 2 diabetes, weight management is a crucial aspect of their treatment plan, and greater weight loss can lead to improved overall health and reduced cardiovascular risk,” says Dr. Singh.

Dosage and frequency

“Trulicity comes in a box with four pens that you use once a week. Ozempic is a single pen containing four doses per pen,” says Dr. Singh. Trulicity doses range from 0.75 – 4.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly, while Ozempic doses range from 0.25 – 2 mg injected under the skin once weekly.

Both drugs require weekly injections, but some individuals have a preference for Trulicity or Ozempic based on whether they prefer single-use pens.

Common side effects

Both Trulicity and Ozempic cause loss of appetite and other gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Like all drugs, Trulicity and Ozempic come with the risk of allergic reaction. As injectable medications, Trulicity and Ozempic may also cause injection site reactions, such as pain, redness, or itching.

Dr. Sawhney says Ozempic is more likely than Trulicity to cause side effects, though the frequency of side effects varies based on dosage. SUSTAIN 7, a clinical trial comparing semaglutide versus dulaglutide, found that gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 43% of participants receiving Ozempic 0.5 mg and 44% receiving Ozempic 1 mg. By comparison, gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 33% receiving Trulicity 0.75 mg and 48% receiving Trulicity 1.5 mg.

Cost of Trulicity vs. Ozempic

The retail prices of Trulicity vs. Ozempic are very similar. At list price, a four-week prescription of Trulicity costs $1,315, while a four-week prescription of Ozempic costs $1,326. However, the actual cost varies by dosage, insurance coverage, and copay. Some people might save money by switching from Trulicity to Ozempic if their insurance plan covers Ozempic but not Trulicity. In any case, these drugs will only likely be covered for Type 2 diabetes, not weight loss.

Trulicity vs. Ozempic comparison chart
	Trulicity	Ozempic
Monthly prescription	1 box containing 4 prefilled pens	1 prefilled pen containing 4 doses
Dose/Frequency	0.75 – 4.5 mg injected under the skin once weekly	0.25 – 2 mg injected under the skin once weekly
Blood sugar level reduction (glycemic control)	1.1% after 40 weeks on Trulicity 0.75 mg	1.4% after 40 weeks on Ozempic 0.5 mg
Weight loss results	4.6 lbs after 40 weeks on Trulicity 0.75 mg	9.3 lbs after 40 weeks on Ozempic 0.5 mg
Side effect frequency	Trulicity 0.75 mg: Nausea: 12% Stomach pain: 7% Diarrhea: 9% Vomiting: 6%	Ozempic 0.5 mg: Nausea: 16% Stomach pain: 7% Constipation: 5% Diarrhea: 9%
Cost	$1,315 for 4, 0.5 mL of 1.5 mg/0.5 mL pen	$1,326 per 1, 3 mL of 2 mg/3 mL pen

How to switch from Trulicity to Ozempic

It is not possible to safely switch from Trulicity to Ozempic without guidance and a prescription from your healthcare provider. Once approved, a switch from Trulicity to Ozempic can be done easily, according to Drs. Sawhney and Singh.\

There is no need to taper off Trulicity. However, it is still important to wait a full week between doses “to avoid low blood sugar,” says Dr. Singh.

Prescribers determine a patient’s starting Ozempic dose based on their last Trulicity dose. “If already taking Trulicity at a starting dose, then an easy conversion to Ozempic would be to start 0.25 mg subcutaneously every week,” says Dr. Singh. “If you’re already on 1.5 mg of Trulicity, then switch to 0.5 mg of Ozempic,” says Dr. Singh.

However, when switching from Trulicity to Ozempic, Dr. Sawhney says it “is recommended to come down 1-2 steps in the equivalent dosing to increase the likelihood of tolerability.” In general, healthcare providers aim for the lowest effective dose for each patient.

Because Trulicity and Ozempic are in the same drug class, drug interactions, risk factors, and adverse effects are mostly the same. If you have any questions or concerns about switching to a new diabetes medication, consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Side effects from stopping Trulicity and starting Ozempic

There are no side effects linked explicitly to switching from Trulicity to Ozempic. The two drugs have similar lists of potential side effects. However, every person reacts to a new medication differently.

Because Ozempic is more effective at blood sugar control than Trulicity, some individuals might experience hypoglycemia after switching to Ozempic. Early signs of low blood sugar include confusion, shakiness, dizziness, and a fast heart rate. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you develop symptoms of low blood sugar after switching from Trulicity to Ozempic.

How to minimize Ozempic side effects

As with most medications, the best way to minimize Ozempic side effects is to use the lowest effective dose. The risk of side effects increases at higher doses.

If someone starts experiencing “significant” nausea or vomiting after switching from Trulicity to Ozempic, Dr. Singh recommends reducing the dose. Ginn-Meadow also emphasizes the importance of telling your healthcare provider if you experience severe nausea after switching diabetes medications, especially if the nausea is interfering with your ability to eat.

When making the switch, keeping your meals small, low in fat, and bland will help reduce the chance of nausea,” she says. According to Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, you can also minimize nausea by eating more slowly than usual and staying upright after eating. It’s also vital to prioritize hydration, as dehydration can lead to constipation or, in severe cases, bowel obstruction.

Can you take Ozempic and Trulicity together?

No. “These two medications should not be taken together,” says Dr. Singh. Not only is there no added benefit, but because they belong to the same class of drugs, you run the risk of double-dosing.

The bottom line

Trulicity and Ozempic are both injectable GLP-1 RA that are FDA-approved for treating Type 2 diabetes. They are also both prescribed off-label for weight loss. Research suggests that Ozempic is slightly more effective than Trulicity for both blood sugar management and weight loss. However, every body responds to different diabetes medications differently, reminds Ginn-Meadow. It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider about the potential risks of low blood sugar and increased nausea against the potential benefits of a switch from Trulicity to Ozempic.