Ozempic (semaglutide) leads to more significant weight loss than Trulicity (dulaglutide).
However, it’s worth noting that neither Ozempic nor Trulicity are approved for weight loss in the UK and are only approved for people living with type 2 diabetes.
The study was designed to investigate the impact of the medications and the different doses on weight loss and HbA1c (average blood sugar levels).
The results showed that Ozempic was more than twice as effective in supporting weight loss when comparing similar doses.
Ozempic 0.5mg resulted in a weight loss of 4.6kg after 40 weeks, compared to 2.3kg with Trulicity 0.75mg. Ozempic 1mg led to a weight loss of 6kg, compared to 3kg with Trulicity 1.5mg.
However, this study didn’t investigate the highest dose of Trulicity, which is 4.5mg. Results from other human trials suggest Truclity 4.5mg supports weight loss of 4.7kg after 36 weeks, 1.3kg less than Ozempic over a similar period.
So, research suggests that Ozempic leads to more significant weight loss than all available doses of Trulicity.
1.8 percentage points of HbA1c is equivalent to a reduction of around 20mmol/mol, compared to 1.4 which is around 15mmol/mol.
Again, this study didn’t compare Ozempic 1mg to the highest available dose of Trulicity. Research on Trulicity 4.5mg has shown it can reduce HbA1c by 1.77 percentage points, or around 18mmol/mol.
3) Ozempic vs. Trulicity: Which is better?
Effectiveness
Ozempic supports more significant weight loss compared to Trulicity; both medications show similar improvements in blood sugar levels at their highest doses.
So, if you’re someone living with type 2 diabetes, you might consider Ozempic as a better option as it will lead to more weight loss alongside blood sugar reductions.
However, everyone responds to medications differently, and you may adhere to one or the other better depending on how you feel while taking the medication.
Ozempic and Trulicity side effects and safety
All medications have possible side effects, particularly if you live with other health conditions.
Some will be mild but uncomfortable, such as cramping, and others will be more severe, such as shortness of breath. You must report any side effects you experience to your doctor and healthcare team when on medications.
Ozempic appears to have a similar safety profile to Trulicity’s lower doses.
One study reported adverse GI events in 43% of patients receiving Ozempic 0.5mg, 44% of patients receiving Ozempic 1mg, 33% receiving Trulicity 0.75mg, and 48% receiving Trulicity 1.5 mg.
However, the highest dose of Trulicity increases the number of side effects. Another study reported adverse GI events in 66.4% of patients receiving Trulicity 4.5mg.
Dulaglutide (Trulicity) may be easier to adhere to
Research suggests slightly more people discontinue Ozempic than Trulicity due to adverse events, with around 13% of patients stopping Wegovy because of adverse events, compared to around 9% on Trulicity.
Further supporting this, real-world data from a U.S. clinical practice on patients living with type 2 diabetes suggests that more people adhere to dulaglutide than semaglutide.
After 6 months, 63.4% of patients prescribed dulaglutide were still taking the medication, compared to 47.8% on semaglutide. At 12 months, it was 54.4% for dulaglutide and 43.3% for semaglutide.
Cost
Ozempic
To get Ozempic and the injectable pens required for four weeks of treatment will cost between £180-£300 in the UK. However, it’s no longer available off-label for weight loss.
Getting Ozempic on prescription through the NHS will only cost you the prescription fee of £9.95 in England.
Trulicity
The cost depends on where you’re purchasing it from and how long you intend to use the medication. However, to purchase the medication and injectable pens required for four weeks would cost around £126, or around £1520 per year.
Getting Trulicity on prescription through the NHS will only cost you the prescription fee of £9.95 in England.
Key points:
- Ozempic is more effective than Trulicity at supporting weight loss, while both medications support a similar reduction in HbA1c at their highest doses
- The safety profile of Ozempic and Trulicity is pretty similar, and both medications lead to common GI side effects like nausea.
- However, research suggests that people living with type 2 diabetes may adhere to dulaglutide better than semaglutide.
- However, individuals will vary in their medication response, so choose the right one for you
- Ozempic and Trulicity are both available in the UK on prescription if you’re living with type 2 diabetes
Take home message
The recent innovations in GLP-1 medications are pretty remarkable and have caused quite a stir in the world of healthcare.
We’re in new territory where obesity and type 2 diabetes medications treat an underlying cause instead of merely treating the symptoms to support better management.
However, these drugs shouldn’t be seen as miracle cures; they’re not designed to be used for life.
They’ve been designed to be taken alongside lifestyle changes that will enable you to eventually come off the medications and maintain your lower weight for the long term.
GLP-1s are safe and effective for most people in the short to medium term, but we don’t have long-term data to be sure they’re not causing severe adverse effects elsewhere.
At Second Nature, we’re not against using medications to support people in making healthy changes and reducing their risk of chronic disease.
However, we don’t recommend using medications as a reason not to make healthy lifestyle changes. The causes of obesity and type 2 diabetes aren’t merely rooted in biology but also psychology and sociology.
With these medications, you may lose weight and reduce blood sugar levels. But will you be happier? Will you be more fulfilled? Will you be content with your life and social relationships?
For that, you may need to consider a lifestyle change.
