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Trulicity vs. Tresiba

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Trulicity

(dulaglutide)

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Insulin degludec

(Tresiba)

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Summary for Trulicity

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).

Indications for Trulicity

  • 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

Pros and Cons for Trulicity

Pros

  • Works well at lowering A1C
  • Comes as a ready-to-use injectable pen
  • Only used once a week
  • Helps with weight loss

Cons

  • Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain
  • Potential risk for thyroid tumors
  • Can cause problems in the pancreas, kidney, and gallbladder
  • Not recommended for people with stomach problems

Common Side Effects for Trulicity

  • Nausea (12-21%)
  • Diarrhea (7-13%)
  • Vomiting (6-13%)
  • Stomach pain (7-9%)
  • Low appetite (5-9%)
  • Fatigue (4-6%)
  • Indigestion (3-6%)

Warnings for Trulicity

  • Thyroid cancer
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Low blood sugar when used with certain diabetes medications
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Kidney damage
  • Severe stomach-related side effects
  • Worsening eye problems in people with diabetic retinopathy
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Breathing fluid into your lungs during anesthesia or deep sedation

Summary for Tresiba

Prescription only

Insulin degludec (Tresiba) is an ultra-long-acting insulin. It's used to manage blood sugar levels in adults and children with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. It's injected under the skin once per day. Insulin degludec (Tresiba) comes as a vial and FlexTouch pen. Side effects include common cold symptoms and headache. Tresiba is available as a brand-name medication and an unbranded biologic.

Indications for Tresiba

Pros and Cons for Tresiba

Pros

  • Injected once daily
  • Each dose can help control blood sugar levels for about 42 hours
  • Can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 months

Cons

Common Side Effects for Tresiba

  • Low blood sugar levels (up to 99%)
  • Common cold (up to 24%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 12%)
  • Headache (up to 12%)
  • Diarrhea (up to 6%)
  • Sinus infection (up to 5%)
  • Stomach viral infection (up to 5%)

Warnings for Tresiba

  • Risk of infections with pen sharing
  • Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
  • Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
  • Low blood potassium levels
  • Swelling and heart failure when used with certain diabetes medications
  • Allergic reactions

Prices with our coupons for Trulicity vs. Tresiba

Price Card Drug Icon
Trulicity1 carton / 4 pens of 0.75mg/0.5ml
$985.69$1,509.99
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Price Card Drug Icon
Insulin Degludec1 vial / 10ml of 100 units/ml
$122.89$142.36
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