Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are both once-weekly injectable medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes. However there are some important differences. Trulicity is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Mounjaro is both a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Trulicity is approved for people 10 years and older, while Mounjaro is only approved for adults. Trulicity also has an additional FDA-approved indication to lower the risk of heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or risk factors. The starting dose for Trulicity is 0.75 mg, with a maximum of 4.5 mg weekly for adults, whereas Mounjaro starts at 2.5 mg and can go up to 15 mg weekly. Both are only available as branded medications. Common side effects for both include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and an increased risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. They should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
Trulicity (dulaglutide)
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Trulicity (dulaglutide)
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Summary of Trulicity vs. Mounjaro
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that helps control blood sugar in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It's also approved to lower the risk of heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related death in certain adults with Type 2 diabetes. The medication is injected under the skin once a week. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. When taken with certain diabetes medications like insulin, there's a higher risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
•Manage Type 2 diabetes in people 10 years and older, along with diet and exercise
•Lower the risk of heart problems like heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with Type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or heart-related risk factors
Indications for
•Type 2 diabetes, in addition to a balanced diet and routine exercise