Dr. Ahmed Trulicity VS Victoza is a comparison of two prescription injectable medications that are approved for the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
The drugs Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide) are members of the GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) class of drugs. This is a family of drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes that is relatively new.
Both medications are injected at home. Victoza and Trulicity do differ in several ways, though. To find out more about how these medications compare, continue reading.
Uses of Trulicity and Victoza
Victoza and Trulicity are both used for:
- The treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes aims to lower blood sugar levels (when used with diet and exercise). Children older than 10 are also permitted to take Victoza for this purpose.
- lowering cardiovascular risks (heart or blood vessel-related), including heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular mortality.
- Adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease may utilize both medications to reduce cardiovascular events in patients who are at risk.
Side effects of Trulicity Vs Victoza:
Trulicity or Victoza may result in adverse effects, like with any medications. But both medications’ adverse effects are often minor. Some could be manageable or disappear on their own.
Both of these drugs share the same side effects.
Common
- Reduced appetite
- Feeling sick
- Stomach (abdominal) pain
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Serious
- Thyroid tumors and medullary thyroid carcinoma, a kind of thyroid cancer
- Issues with the kidneys, including renal failure
- Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, causes severe stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
- Really low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Dosage and forms of Trulicity and Victoza
Both Trulicity and Victoza are administered under the skin (just like injecting insulin).
- Trulicity is available as single-use, prefilled pens. After each dose, you throw the pen and needle away. It has convenient dosing of once per week.
- Victoza is sold as multipurpose, prefilled pens. The same pen is used repeatedly, but a new needle is used for each dose. Unlike Trulicity, Victoza is administered daily.
- Victoza and Trulicity are available in various strengths. However, in general, your doctor will start you on both medications at a lower dosage and gradually raise it each week until your blood sugar is under control or until you are taking the maximum recommended amount.
Trulicity and Victoza for weight loss
Victoza and Trulicity are not approved for treating obesity, although both medications are associated with weight loss.
In fact, higher doses of Liraglutide are approved by the FDA, as Saxenda, for the treatment of obesity in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.
Weight loss has also been associated with Trulicity. In clinical trials, Trulcity users reported about 5% body weight loss compared to placebo.
Trulicity and Victoza cannot be used together when taking Saxenda. Consult your doctor if you’re seeking to learn further about Saxenda or even other weight-loss remedies.
Table summarizing the weight loss effects of Trulicity Vs Victoza:
Criteria | Trulicity | Victoza |
| Weight Loss in lbs | Up to 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | Up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Percentage Weight Loss | Up to 4.5% | Up to 6% |
How much do Trulicity and Victoza cost
Whether you have insurance coverage or not, the cost of Trulicity and Victoza may be a decisive issue.
Only brand-name medications, such as Trulicity and Victoza, are sold. Neither is offered in biosimilar form.
But bear in mind that your treatment regimen, your medical insurance, and the pharmacy you choose will all have an impact on the price you spend for any medication.
Trulicity:
The average retail price for a 4-week supply of Trulicity (1.5mg/0.5mL) is around $900. However, with insurance coverage, the out-of-pocket cost for Trulicity can be significantly lower.
Victoza:
The average retail price for a 4-week supply of Victoza (1.2mg/0.2mL or 1.8mg/0.3mL) is around $900-$1000.
As with Trulicity, insurance coverage, and patient assistance, programs can help reduce the out-of-pocket cost for Victoza.
Ingredients in Trulicity Vs Victoza
The active ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide. Liraglutide is the active ingredient of Victoza.
Liraglutide and dulaglutide are both glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, which are in the same medication class.
Efficacy of Trulicity Vs Victoza for Diabetes and CVD:
For blood glucose
In addition to diet and exercise, Trulicity and Victoza both reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
According to research, Trulicity and Victoza both work well to treat type 2 diabetes. Both medications, along with metformin, were utilized in the trial. [ref]
Victoza users who were on insulin reported a 50% reduction in their insulin dose from the baseline.
Here is a table summarizing the efficacies of Trulicity vs Victoza in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus:
Criteria | Trulicity | Victoza |
| A1C Reduction | Up to 1.5% | Up to 1.4% |
| Fasting Blood Sugar Reduction | Up to 36 mg/dL | Up to 60 mg/dL |
| Postprandial Blood Sugar Reduction | Up to 70 mg/dL | Up to 124 mg/dL |
For cardiovascular risks
Adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease (CVD) can also utilize Trulicity and Victoza to lessen their chance of developing certain cardiovascular issues (related to the heart or blood vessels). Myocardial infarction, stroke, and mortality due to a cardiovascular condition are a few examples of these issues.
A thorough analysis of clinical research compared Victoza, Trulicity, and other medicines in the same pharmacological class for this application.
According to the study, Trulicity and Victoza were among the drugs that lowered the risk of cardiovascular problems, including cardiovascular-related death.
Warnings for Trulicity and Victoza
If you have particular medical issues or other circumstances that influence your health, Trulicity or Victoza may not be the correct choice for you. Before using any medication, discuss your medical history with your doctor.
On both Trulicity and Victoza, there is a boxed warning addressing the potential for thyroid cancer. The Food and Drug Administration’s most severe warning is a boxed warning (FDA) which warns physicians and patients of potentially harmful medication side effects. [ref]
If you encounter thyroid cancer symptoms while taking either medication, let your doctor know straight away since you might need to stop using it. Some examples of these symptoms include a lump in your neck, difficulty eating, feeling short of breath, or a hoarse voice.
Some other warnings include:
- Liver disease
- Kidney problems
- Slow digestion or digestive problems
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Pancreatitis
- Severe allergic reaction
A warning exclusive to Trulicity is diabetic retinopathy. Make sure you consult your doctor prior to using it.
Summary of Trulicity Vs Victoza:
Criteria | Trulicity | Victoza |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| FDA approved | For Diabetes only | For Diabetes only |
| Dosage | Once weekly | Once daily |
| Weight loss | Can lead to moderate weight loss | Can lead to moderate weight loss |
| Side effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite |
| Interactions | May interact with other drugs | May interact with other drugs |
| Availability | Prescription-only | Prescription-only |
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