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Ozempic Vs Trulicity: Which One Is Better & Safe For Weight Loss? Best OTC Weight Loss Pill

Trulicity and Ozempic are both administered once a week through injections. They can effectively regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease-related mortality.

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Ozempic Vs Trulicity
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Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent health condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. While adopting a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity are vital for managing Type 2 diabetes, medications often play a crucial role in maintaining optimal blood sugar control. Ozempic and Trulicity are pharmaceuticals prescribed to individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Click Here To Buy This Over The Counter Alternative Weight Loss Pill

These medications not only enhance blood sugar control but also reduce the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease-related mortality. Given the strong correlation between type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the administration of these brand-name prescription drugs, Ozempic and Trulicity, is common practice, as generic alternatives are presently unavailable.

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This informative piece highlights important distinctions between Ozempic and Trulicity. For individuals managing type 2 diabetes, this valuable information can aid in assessing the suitability of these medications for their specific needs.

Understanding Ozempic

Trulicity, an injectable medication, has received FDA approval for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults when used alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. Its initial approval for this indication dates back to 2014.

For individuals with Type 2 diabetes and either pre-existing heart disease or risk factors for heart disease, Trulicity has gained FDA approval to reduce the likelihood of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). These events encompass heart attack, stroke, and heart disease-related mortality. The FDA granted approval for this purpose in February 2020.

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Trulicity is available in the form of a single-use injection pen, offering four distinct dosing options:

  • 0.75 mg/0.5 mL

  • 4.5 mg/0.5 mL

  • 3 mg/0.5 mL

  • 1.5 mg/0.5 mL

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Understanding Trulicity

Ozempic, like Trulicity, is an injectable medication that has received FDA approval for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in adults, in conjunction with a proper diet and regular exercise. However, Ozempic obtained approval for this indication three years later, specifically in 2017.

In addition, Ozempic has also been approved for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults. However, this approval is limited to individuals with pre-existing heart disease. Ozempic obtained this specific approval shortly before Trulicity, in January 2020.

Similar to Trulicity, Ozempic is available in the form of a multiple-dose injection pen, offering four different dosing options:

  • 0.25 mg

  • 1 mg

  • 0.5 mg

  • 2 mg

How does Trulicity and Ozempic work on Type 2 diabetes

Trulicity and Ozempic both fall into the category of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. GLP-1 agonists are designed to effectively lower blood sugar levels through various mechanisms.

One of the primary mechanisms is by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas after meals. Insulin plays a crucial role in facilitating the absorption and utilization of sugar by cells. Additionally, GLP-1 agonists signal the liver to reduce the production of excess sugar. Furthermore, these medications slow down the rate at which food moves through the stomach. Collectively, these actions contribute to the regulation of blood sugar levels.

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Another notable benefit of GLP-1 agonists is their potential to promote weight loss. In fact, a higher-dosage variant of Ozempic, known as Wegovy, has obtained FDA approval specifically for its weight loss properties. Both Trulicity and Ozempic have the ability to increase feelings of satiety, leading to potential weight loss outcomes.

Trulicity, in particular, has an additional FDA approval for use in adults with type 2 diabetes who have multiple risk factors for heart disease. These risk factors encompass smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and obesity.

It is important to note that neither Ozempic nor Trulicity are approved for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

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Usage and Dosage of Trulicity and Ozempic

Trulicity and Ozempic are administered through once-weekly injections, typically in the stomach, upper arm, or thigh area. The initial dose is kept low to minimize potential side effects, and it is gradually increased by your healthcare provider while considering both the side effects and the positive impact on blood sugar levels.

For Trulicity, the usual starting dose is 0.75 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, it may be adjusted to 1.5 mg once weekly. If necessary, your healthcare provider can continue making adjustments every 4 weeks, up to a maximum dose of 4.5 mg once weekly.

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On the other hand, the initial dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once weekly, which allows your body to adapt to the medication but does not directly affect blood sugar levels. After 4 weeks, the dose is typically increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. Further adjustments can be made every 4 weeks, up to a maximum dose of 2 mg once weekly.

Understanding side effects of Trulicity vs Ozempic

Ozempic and Trulicity belong to the same class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, which means they share similar side effects. Here are examples of these side effects:

Mild side effects: The following lists highlight some commonly reported mild side effects of Ozempic and Trulicity, as well as shared side effects. For more detailed information, refer to the medication guides of Ozempic and Trulicity.

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Possible with Ozempic: few unique common mild side effects

Possible with Trulicity: decreased appetite

Possible with both Ozempic and Trulicity: nausea, fatigue (low energy level), diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, gas, upset stomach.

Serious side effects: The following lists address the serious side effects of Ozempic and Trulicity, including shared side effects.

Possible with Ozempic: few unique serious side effects Possible with Trulicity: severe gastrointestinal disease, such as gastroparesis (a condition affecting stomach emptying) Possible with both Ozempic and Trulicity: cancer, thyroid, pancreatitis, kidney damage, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used alongside insulin or sulphonylureas (other diabetes drugs), diabetic, severe allergic reactions, retinopathy (damage to the retina caused by diabetes complications).Please note that the risk of thyroid cancer is a potential concern associated with both Ozempic and Trulicity.

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Pricing of Ozempic and Trulicity

Trulicity and Ozempic are solely available as branded products, which can be quite expensive, and they share similar costs, typically exceeding $1,000 for a 4-week supply at regular retail prices. However, there are several methods to save on these medications.

By utilizing seasonal discounts, you may discover Trulicity priced as low as $772 at select pharmacies. For those with commercial insurance, the manufacturer offers a copay savings card that can reduce the cost to as little as $25. Additionally, if you lack insurance coverage or have limited coverage, you may qualify for a patient assistance program that provides the medication at no expense.

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Similarly, you can purchase Ozempic for as less as $875 through the use of certain discounts at certain pharmacies. The manufacturer also provides a copay savings card, which can lower the cost to as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month supply. Eligible individuals may also qualify for the patient assistance program, enabling them to receive the medication at no charge.

Effectiveness of Trulicity versus Ozempic on treating Type 2 diabetes

Both these drugs have notable differences but does one work better than the other? Read on.

Cardiovascular Benefits: Trulicity and Ozempic have demonstrated their ability to lower the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in specific individuals with Type 2 diabetes. It's important to note that MACE encompasses heart attacks, strokes, and deaths related to heart disease.

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Trulicity has shown a 12% reduction in the risk of MACE among individuals, including those with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. On the other hand, Ozempic has shown a 26% reduction in the risk of MACE, but solely among individuals with established heart disease.

Both medications exhibited their most prominent impact in lowering the risk of non-fatal strokes.

Control over Blood Sugar: A comparative study directly pitted Trulicity against Ozempic, evaluating their efficacy in reducing hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C) levels, which indicate average blood sugar levels over a three-month span. The findings indicated that Ozempic exhibited a greater reduction in A1C levels compared to Trulicity, accompanied by greater weight loss among individuals using Ozempic. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the study was financed by the manufacturer of Ozempic, potentially introducing a bias into the results.

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Typically, higher doses of both medications tend to yield more significant reductions in A1C levels compared to lower doses. Nevertheless, determining the appropriate dose for you should primarily focus on achieving your specific blood sugar objectives. When managing Type 2 diabetes, adhering to your prescribed medication regimen plays a pivotal role in reaching your blood sugar goals. A recent real-world study conducted by the manufacturer of Trulicity revealed that a larger proportion of individuals adhered to the prescribed treatment plan for Trulicity compared to Ozempic. Moreover, fewer individuals discontinued the use of Trulicity in comparison to Ozempic.

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The Final Conclusion

Trulicity and Ozempic are both administered once a week through injections. They can effectively regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease-related mortality.

According to a comparative study, Ozempic might exhibit slightly superior efficacy in managing blood sugar levels when compared to Trulicity. However, real-world evidence suggests that individuals are more inclined to adhere to the prescribed regimen of Trulicity and less likely to discontinue its use.

There are minimal discrepancies between Trulicity and Ozempic, and the selection between the two could be influenced by the preference of your healthcare provider or your insurance coverage. If you believe that either of these medications may be suitable for you, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.

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Disclaimer:

The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.

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