Switching From Trulicity to Ozempic: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re currently managing your Type 2 Diabetes with the help of Trulicity or your doctor has recently prescribed Trulicity for you, you may also be curious about Ozempic—a drug with a similar (though not identical) profile. Though only your doctor can advise you which medication will be the best choice based on your health history, goals, and needs, Ozempic offers superior blood sugar control and weight loss potential for many patients.

In most cases, switching from Trulicity to Ozempic is possible under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Below, let’s explore the similarities and differences between Trulicity and Ozempic, the reasons why you may wish to consider switching to Ozempic, and what such a switch might entail.

Please remember that the accurate information provided by Bisonpharmacy.com is never meant to replace medical advice. If you are dissatisfied with Trulicity or are considering switching from Trulicity to Ozempic, the first step is to make an appointment with your doctor.

What Is Trulicity?

Trulicity is a brand-name prescription medication approved by the FDA for blood sugar control in adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Trulicity is also approved for blood sugar control in children over the age of 10 with Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, it reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (such as heart attack and stroke) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease or risk factors for heart disease.

Trulicity’s active ingredient, dulaglutide, belongs to the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists bind to receptor sites for the naturally produced incretin (gut) hormone GLP-1 and impact the body by stimulating the natural production and release of pancreatic insulin, inhibiting the release of glycogen from the liver, and slowing down gastric emptying and digestion as a whole.

Trulicity is a once-weekly injectable medication that comes in pre-filled pens and is injected subcutaneously into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. It is not an insulin replacement and is often taken alongside insulin. In many Type 2 Diabetes patients, Trulicity helps to promote healthy weight loss.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand-name prescription medication approved by the FDA for blood sugar control in adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes. It is also approved for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with both Type 2 Diabetes and a diagnosis of heart disease.

Like dulaglutide, Ozempic’s active ingredient, semaglutide, is classed as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It’s also a once-weekly injectable medication often taken alongside insulin and is known to promote healthy weight loss in people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Why You Should Consider Switching

As outlined above, Trulicity and Ozempic have many similarities:

• They belong to the same drug class.
• They are both injectable medications.
• They both help to control blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and related cardiovascular disease.
• Neither Trulicity nor Ozempic is an insulin replacement.
• They both cause weight loss in many patients.

That being said, Ozempic and Trulicity are far from identical and comparative studies have found that, while each drug is effective in its own right, Ozempic may have more benefits for some patients.

What type of benefits might Ozempic offer over Trulicity? Let’s take a closer look:

Ozempic May Provide Better Blood Sugar Control

In a recent comparative study, semaglutide was found to be superior to dulaglutide in improving glycemic control. Another indirect treatment comparison also corroborated those findings. Though more head-to-head research may be required to definitively prove that Ozempic controls blood sugar levels more effectively than Trulicity, the evidence points that way so far.

If you are not achieving the glycemic control you’d hoped for on Trulicity, switching to Ozempic may provide a more effective treatment option.

Potential for Weight Loss

Neither Trulicity nor Ozempic is officially approved as a weight loss drug, but both drugs have been associated with weight loss in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. That being said, in the same study mentioned above, participants who took Ozempic lost more weight overall than patients who took Trulicity.

Extensive clinical trials have been conducted to determine semaglutide’s weight loss potential, ultimately resulting in FDA approval for Wegovy, a semaglutide-based drug identical to Ozempic but taken at a higher dosage. Wegovy is approved as a weight loss drug for patients with or without Type 2 Diabetes, and Ozempic is often prescribed off-label for weight loss as well. (An off-label prescription is a prescription written by a doctor for a purpose other than the officially indicated purpose of the drug in question.)

Simply taking Ozempic (or Trulicity) does not guarantee weight loss. For many patients, medically significant weight loss occurs while on the drug (more than 5% of their starting body weight) but only when it is taken as an adjunct to lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.

If you are looking for a drug that can help you on your weight loss journey, Ozempic may be a better choice than Trulicity. Speak directly with your doctor for more information about Ozempic’s weight loss potential and to learn whether the drug may be a good option for your particular needs and circumstances.

Different Side Effect Profile

While Trulicity and Ozempic are both GLP-1 receptor agonists and have many of the same potential side effects (see below), they are chemically different. Your body’s reactions to one or the other may be more or less mild. If you are experiencing ongoing side effects with Trulicity that are affecting your quality of life, switching to Ozempic may alleviate some or all of them.

Speak with your doctor about the side effects you are experiencing to determine whether or not a change to Ozempic might be beneficial.

How To Switch From Trulicity to Ozempic

The first step in switching from Trulicity to Ozempic is to consult directly with your doctor. Under no circumstances should you attempt to switch medications without the guidance and support of a medical professional.

Trulicity and Ozempic cannot be taken simultaneously (in fact, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately in the event that you unintentionally inject both of them), and the transition from Trulicity to Ozempic will be gradual. Your doctor will give clear instructions so you don’t disrupt your blood sugar regulation as you transition from one drug to another.

Though you may be familiar with self-injecting Trulicity, you’ll still need to be educated about the proper way to inject Ozempic. Your doctor or healthcare provider will demonstrate the correct way to administer each dose.

Throughout the transition to Ozempic, your doctor will monitor you closely and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. You should always closely follow their instructions and advice.

Potential Side Effects of Switching From Trulicity to Ozempic

It is unlikely that switching from Trulicity to Ozempic will cause any unexpected side effects (though you should contact your doctor immediately with any concerns). Ozempic’s side effects are similar to Trulicity’s but may impact you differently.

Common mild side effects of Ozempic include:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain
• Injection site reactions
• Dizziness, headaches, and tiredness

Rare but more serious side effects of Ozempic can include:

• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Vision changes
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney failure
• Gallbladder issues
• The formation of thyroid tumors

Ozempic is not recommended for patients with a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) or some other types of thyroid cancer. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant and let them know about any other medications you may be taking (including over-the-counter medications or natural treatments).

What Should You Ask Your Doctor

Having an open conversation with your doctor is always the best way to address any questions or concerns. If you are wondering about switching from Trulicity to Ozempic, here are some questions you may wish to ask. Take notes on the answers so that you can remember them and review them again at a later date:

• Could Ozempic be an appropriate treatment for me? Why or why not?
• How would we determine if Ozempic is a better treatment for me than Trulicity? What would that process look like?
• If my blood sugar stops responding to Trulicity, could Ozempic provide a viable alternative?
• If I’m experiencing uncomfortable side effects on Trulicity, is it possible that switching to Ozempic could reduce them?
• Weight loss is a major goal for me. Would Ozempic have the potential to help me lose more weight than Trulicity?

Conclusion

To conclude, switching medications is always a major decision that must be made in consultation with your doctor. That being said, if you are not 100% satisfied with your body’s response to Trulicity (or even if you are but are curious if you could get even better results), switching to Ozempic may be an option to consider.

Research suggests that Ozempic is more effective for blood sugar control and weight loss than Trulicity while being just as easy to inject and having similar potential side effects.

Ready to explore Ozempic, or do you already have a prescription from your doctor? Bisonpharmacy.com ships high-quality Ozempic to Americans at affordable prices every single day.

Contact us directly at Bisonpharmacy.com for further information or to place your Ozempic order today!