Mounjaro vs Trulicity

Mounjaro and Trulicity are brand-name diabetes drugs used in combination with diet and other lifestyle changes to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co. Mounjaro mimics 2 types of incretin hormones produced by the human body. It is classed as a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. GIP decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure which causes weight loss. When taken with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it may result in greater positive effects on blood glucose and body weight.

Mounjaro is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, or to treat children under 18 years of age.

FDA approval for Lilly’s Mounjaro was based on the SURPASS study, which compared Mounjaro in head-to-head trials with Ozempic, insulin glargine, semaglutide 1 mg, and insulin degludec. Participants who took Mounjaro experienced an average reduction in hemoglobin A1c, and HbA1c (an indicator of blood sugar level). Participants who took a placebo saw an average increase in A1C levels.

Mounjaro dosage

Mounjaro is available in injection form, in the following doses: 2.5 mg/0.5 mL, 5 mg/0.5 mL, 7.5 mg/0.5 mL, 10 mg/0.5 mL, 12.5 mg/0.5 mL, or 15 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens.

Mounjaro is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly, with or without food. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 96 hours after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.

Use Mounjaro alongside dietary changes and exercise to improve glycemic control and always speak with a healthcare professional about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

What is Trulicity?

Trulicity is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. It has FDA approval for use in adults who have type 2 diabetes to:

• Reduce blood sugar levels, when used alongside exercise and diet changes
• Reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, like strokes or heart attacks, in people with heart disease or reduce the risk factors for heart problems. Examples of risk factors for an increased risk of heart disease include having high cholesterol, being older, having high blood pressure, and smoking

Trulicity is not approved by the FDA for weight loss. Currently, the only GLP-1 agonists approved for weight loss and obesity are the higher dose version of Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide).

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may not produce enough insulin, or you may even become resistant to insulin. If this happens, you will absorb less sugar from your blood, resulting in your blood glucose levels remaining too high.

The active ingredient dulaglutide in Trulicity is classed as a GLP-1 receptor agonist (glucagon-like peptide 1), which can lower your A1C levels. It is absorbed into your digestive system where it has two effects. It binds with areas on some of your cells called GLP1R receptors, which encourages your pancreas to make more insulin. This allows other cells in your body to more effectively remove sugar from your blood. At the same time, dulaglutide also reduces how much sugar your pancreas secretes into your blood. The combination of these two processes can reduce your blood sugar levels.

Trulicity dosage

Trulicity is available in injection form, in the following doses: 0.75 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose pen, and 1.5 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose pen.

Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly at any time of the day. Initiate at 0.75 mg once weekly. The dose can be increased to 1.5 mg once weekly for additional glycemic control.

Common side effects of Mounjaro and Trulicity

The most common side effects of Mounjaro in clinical trials include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Gastrointestinal – diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain

More serious side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Possible thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer – do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) – symptoms include severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – Your risk for low blood sugar may be increased if you use Mounjaro with another diabetes medication such as a sulfonylurea or insulin
• Serious allergic reactions
• Kidney problems
• Severe stomach problems
• Changes in vision
• Gallbladder problems

The most common side effects of Trulicity in clinical trials include:

• Injection-site reactions like swelling, pain, or itching
• Nausea, vomiting
• Gastrointestinal side effects include diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain
• Reduced appetite

More serious side effects of Trulicity include:

• Severe allergic reactions to the medication
• Thyroid tumors and a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Kidney problems, including kidney failure
• Hypoglycemia – your blood sugar falling too low – particularly when used with other medications like insulin or sulfonylurea
• Severe stomach problems
• Changes in your vision

These aren’t all the side effects Mounjaro or Trulicity can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. If you have any concerns about side effects, talk to your physician or pharmacist.

Mounjaro and Trulicity drug interactions

Mounjaro can interact with other medications. These include:

• Insulin secretagogue – sulfonylurea or Insulin
• Oral medications
• Orally administered hormonal contraceptives

Trulicity can interact with other medications. These include:

• Any other diabetes medications, like insulin or sulfonylureas
• Diuretics
• Corticosteroids
• Estrogens
• Oral contraceptives
• Nicotinic acid
• Calcium channel blocking drugs
• Any medications absorbed through your stomach, as Trulicity may increase the absorption of these drugs by keeping them in your stomach for longer

Mounjaro and Trulicity can interact with other medications. This can change how Mounjaro and Trulicity and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.

Mounjaro and Trulicity contraindications

You should not use Mounjaro if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient tirzepatide
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Mounjaro

Talk to your doctor before using Mounjaro if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Mounjaro
• Have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• Have severe problems with your stomach
• Have a history of diabetic retinopathy
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant – If you take oral birth control pills by mouth, you may be recommended another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Mounjaro passes into your breast milk

You should not use Trulicity if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient dulaglutide
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Trulicity
• Have type 1 diabetes (Trulicity is for type 2 diabetes only)
• Have diabetic ketoacidosis – a potentially life-threatening condition caused by diabetes where you break down body fat too quickly
• Have a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma, or a family member has or had this
• Have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• Are under 18 years of age

Talk to your doctor before using Trulicity if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Trulicity (see the section above)
• Have or have had any problems with your pancreas
• Have or have had any problems with your liver
• Have or have had any problems with your kidneys
• Have severe stomach or intestinal problems
• Have a history of diabetic retinopathy (a complication of diabetes that affects your eyes)
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Other drugs for type 2 diabetes

• Bydureon BCise (exenatide)
• Byetta
• Jardiance
• Lantus
• Ozempic
• Victoza
• Adlyxin
• Metformin
• Rybelsus

If you have any concerns about Mounjaro or Trulicity side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.