Rybelsus Vs. Trulicity: Drug Comparison

Rybelsus^® (semaglutide) is an oral medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist available in tablet form. It stimulates insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying to lower blood sugar levels. Rybelsus is taken once daily and can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications, along with diet and exercise. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and it should be used cautiously in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Trulicity^® (dulaglutide) is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise. It acts as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, enhancing insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing glucagon production. Additionally, Trulicity is indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Administered once weekly, Trulicity can be used alone or with other diabetes medications. Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. It should be used cautiously in individuals with a history of pancreatitis​.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg tablets

• Typically taken as an injection once weekly

• Comes in 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, and 4.5 mg per 0.5 mL single-dose pens

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) are:

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting

• Constipation

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Decreased appetite

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Rybelsus

• Drug interactions: oral medications—Rybelsus delays gastric emptying

• Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide or any of the product components

• Drug interactions: Trulicity delays gastric emptying and has the potential to reduce the rate of absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetic retinopathy complications

• Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm

• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding not recommended

• Females and males of reproductive potential: Discontinue Rybelsus in women at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the long washout period for semaglutide

• Thyroid C-cell tumors

• Pancreatitis

• Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute kidney injury

• Severe gastrointestinal disease

• Diabetic retinopathy complications

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pregnancy: Should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to fetus

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

In rodents, semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Rybelsus causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Rybelsus is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Dulaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats. It is unknown whether Trulicity causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of dulaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Trulicity is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC and in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Rybelsus^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient semaglutide.

*This information is from the label for brand name Trulicity^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information.