Key takeaways
Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Januvia (sitagliptin) are both prescription medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and are taken differently. Trulicity is a GLP-1 agonist that you inject once a week. It helps your body release more insulin, slows down digestion, and stops the release of extra sugar into your bloodstream. Trulicity also lowers the risk of major heart events in adults with Type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. On the other hand, Januvia is a DPP-4 inhibitor taken by mouth once daily. It works by blocking a protein that breaks down hormones responsible for insulin production, allowing insulin to stay in your body longer and reducing sugar production. Trulicity can cause side effects like nausea and stomach pain, while Januvia might cause a runny nose, sore throat, and headache. Trulicity is also linked to a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis, whereas Januvia has warnings about potential kidney problems and severe joint pain.
