Trulicity® vs. Ozempic®: What's the Difference?

Updated March 9, 2026 by Jillian Foglesong Stabile, MD, FAAFP. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

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Table of contents

• What Is Trulicity®?
• What Is Ozempic®?
• Trulicity® vs. Ozempic®: What’s the Difference?
• Exploring Treatment Options
• Related Content

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When it comes to treating type 2 diabetes, medications such as Ozempic® and Trulicity® can help people regulate insulin production and manage blood sugar levels.[1,2] These medications belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and have also gained attention for their potential role in supporting weight loss.

But how do these medications compare? In this guide to Trulicity® vs. Ozempic®, we’ll break down how each drug works, compare their intended uses and side effects, and review what research says about their effectiveness.

What Is Trulicity®?

Trulicity® is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes through its active ingredient, dulaglutide.[3] Dulaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.[4]

GLP-1 agonists mimic hormones that attach to GLP-1 receptors during insulin production. In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance can make it difficult for the body to properly regulate blood sugar levels. GLP-1 medications help support this process.

To better understand how GLP-1 medications work, consider how the body regulates blood sugar in individuals without diabetes[5]:

• After eating, the body breaks food down into sugars, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
• Hormones attach to GLP-1 receptors and signal the pancreas to release insulin.
• Insulin helps move glucose into cells to be used for energy, lowering blood sugar levels.

In people with insulin resistance, this process becomes less effective. GLP-1 medications such as dulaglutide can help by attaching to GLP-1 receptors to[4]:

1. Promote feelings of fullness
2. Stimulate the pancreas to produce additional insulin

The first effect may help some individuals reduce food intake, which can contribute to weight loss.[3]

Trulicity® Uses

Although Trulicity® may influence weight, it is only FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes by helping regulate blood sugar levels. It is typically prescribed alongside diet and exercise.[4]

Trulicity® is not approved for treating type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.[3]

Trulicity® Side Effects

In clinical trials, approximately 5% of Trulicity® patients experienced side effects.[4] The most commonly reported include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Some patients also experienced injection-site reactions. If you are concerned about potential side effects, consult your healthcare provider before starting treatment.

What Is Ozempic®?

Ozempic® is another GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes.[2] Its active ingredient is semaglutide.[7]

Like dulaglutide, semaglutide works by mimicking hormones that attach to GLP-1 receptors. This process may[7]:

• Increase insulin production
• Reduce appetite
• Promote feelings of fullness

Both Ozempic® and Trulicity® are typically administered once per week using pre-filled injection pens.[1,2]

Ozempic® Uses

Ozempic® is approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels. However, it may also be prescribed off-label for weight management.

Unlike Trulicity®, Ozempic® may be prescribed for individuals who are overweight and have weight-related health conditions such as high blood pressure.[8]

Ozempic® Side Effects

Common side effects reported with Ozempic® include[7]:

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Some patients also report appetite changes such as:

• Reduced appetite
• Changes in food preferences
• Reduced alcohol cravings

See related: Ozempic® Foods to Avoid

Trulicity® vs. Ozempic®: Key Differences

Trulicity® and Ozempic® are both GLP-1 receptor agonists used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. While they work in similar ways, they contain different active ingredients and may vary slightly in effectiveness, dosing options, and potential weight loss effects.

Feature	Trulicity®	Ozempic®
Active ingredient	Dulaglutide	Semaglutide
Drug class	GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 medication)
Primary FDA-approved use	Treatment of type 2 diabetes	Treatment of type 2 diabetes
Weight loss approval	Not approved for weight loss	Semaglutide-based medications have FDA-approved formulations for weight management
How the medication works	Mimics GLP-1 hormones to stimulate insulin production, slow digestion, and increase feelings of fullness.
Blood sugar control	Effective at lowering A1C levels	Slightly more effective at lowering A1C levels in head-to-head trials.[11]
Weight loss effects	May contribute to modest weight loss	Research suggests greater average weight loss compared with Trulicity®.[11,12]
Dosing options	0.75 mg 1.5 mg 3 mg 4.5 mg [16]	0.25 mg 0.5 mg 1 mg [17]
How it is administered	Self-administered weekly injection using pre-filled injection pens.
Insurance coverage	Coverage varies by insurance plan. Some policies may cover these medications for diabetes treatment but not for weight management. Contact your insurance provider for specific coverage details.[18]
Long-term weight maintenance	Some individuals may regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications if lifestyle habits are not maintained.[13]

Exploring Treatment Options

If you are considering medications such as Trulicity® or Ozempic®, speaking with a healthcare provider can help you understand which treatment options may align with your health goals.

Some individuals choose to explore telehealth weight management programs that connect patients with licensed providers who can evaluate eligibility for GLP-1 medications and help create personalized treatment plans.

Related Content

Understanding Ozempic® vs. Mounjaro® for Weight Loss

Ozempic® for Weight Loss: Side Effects and Risks

Does Drinking Water Help You Lose Weight?

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References

1. Trulicity®. Trulicity®.com. 2018. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
2. Ozempic®. Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
3. Dulaglutide Injection. MedlinePlus Drug Information. January 15 2023. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
4. Tanzi MG. Dulaglutide: Third once-weekly GLP-1 agonist for type 2 diabetes. Pharmacy Today. June 2016;20(11):40. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
5. CDC. The Insulin Resistance–Diabetes Connection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 20, 2022. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
6. Do Diet Pills Really Work? UC Davis Health. University of California at Davis. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
7. Semaglutide injection. MedlinePlus. February 15, 2023. URL. Accessed June 13, 2023.
8. FDA approves new drug treatment for Chronic Weight Management, first since 2014. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. June 4, 2021. URL. Accessed June 13, 2023.
9. Diabetes tests. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 28, 2023. URL. Accessed June 13, 2023.
10. Pratley RE, Aroda VR, Lingvay I, et al. Semaglutide versus dulaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 7): a randomised, open-label, phase 3b trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. January 31 2018;6(4):275-286. doi: 10.1016/s2213-8587(18)30024-x. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
11. Pratley RE, Catarig A, Lingvay I, et al. An indirect treatment comparison of the efficacy of semaglutide 1.0 mg versus dulaglutide 3.0 and 4.5 mg. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. November 2021;23(11):2513-2520. doi:10.1111/dom.14497. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
12. Lingvay I, Hansen T, Macura S, et al. Superior weight loss with once-weekly semaglutide versus other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists is independent of gastrointestinal adverse events. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. October 28 2020;8(2):e001706. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
13. Constantino AK. People taking obesity drugs Ozempic® and Wegovy gain weight once they stop medication. CNBC. March 30, 2023. URL. Accessed June 13, 2023.
14. Common misconceptions about cholesterol. www.heart.org. May 4, 2023. URL. Accessed June 13, 2023.
15. Highlights of Prescribing Information. US Food and Drug Administration. September 2020. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
16. Highlights of Prescribing Information. US Food and Drug Administration. December 2017. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.
17. Prior Authorization/Notification: Diabetes Medications - GLP-1 Receptor Antagonists. Clinical Pharmacy Programs. 2022. URL. Accessed June 13, 2023.
18. Does Medicare Cover Trulicity®? Medicare & Medicare Advantage Info, Help and Enrollment. May 17 2019. URL. Accessed June 13 2023.