What Are Dulaglutide and Semaglutide?
Dulaglutide is a prescription medication that is marketed under the brand name Trulicity. It is an injectable medication that is administered once weekly and mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) that your body naturally produces. Dulaglutide is currently FDA-approved for controlling blood sugar levels in individuals who have type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide is a prescription medication that is available under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy as well as in compounded form. Semaglutide also mimics the GLP-1 hormone and is administered once weekly via injection. Ozempic is primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes but is often used “off label” for weight loss, and Wegovy is the brand name for the same exact formulation; only it is FDA-approved for weight management.
Is There A Difference Between Dulaglutide And Semaglutide In How They Work?
Your body naturally manufactures the incretin hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which helps regulate your blood sugar levels and is automatically released by the intestines after you eat. It is responsible for keeping your metabolism running efficiently, which includes:
- The stimulation of insulin production to help lower your blood sugar levels;
- Slowing down your rate of digestion to help you feel full longer;
- Reducing your appetite by sending signals to your brain telling it you are not hungry;
- It keeps the liver from releasing too much glucose into your bloodstream.
While dulaglutide is not the same as semaglutide, both medications work basically the same way and in tandem with the natural GLP-1 hormones in your body. They trigger an increase in insulin release and a decrease in glucagon secretion, which leads to better balanced blood sugar levels, a reduction in appetite, and a slower speed of digestion. This keeps your stomach fuller for longer and cuts out food noise so it is easier to eat less and create a calorie deficit that leads to weight loss.
Is Dulaglutide the Same as Semaglutide?
Not exactly. They are both medications that were designed to manage type 2 diabetes and have also both been found to assist with weight loss, but they differ in their molecular structures, effectiveness, and FDA-approved uses.
| Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|
|
|
A Comparison Of Dulaglutide vs Semaglutide
- Blood Sugar Control
- Studies have shown that semaglutide may be more effective than dulaglutide in lowering HbA1c levels, which is a marker for blood sugar control. In clinical trials, patients taking semaglutide experienced greater reductions in these levels compared to those on dulaglutide.
- Weight Loss Potential
- When comparing dulaglutide vs semaglutide for weight loss, research shows that participants using semaglutide lost more weight than those using dulaglutide.
- Dosage and Administration
- Both medications are administered once weekly through a subcutaneous injection, but the dosing schedule for each varies.
- Side Effects
- All GLP-1 medications have common side effects, and when comparing dulaglutide vs semaglutide, both medications caused similar side effects, including gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Most of these common side effects are temporary and decrease as your body becomes accustomed to the medication.
Is Dulaglutide the Same as Semaglutide?
Not exactly. They are both medications that were designed to manage type 2 diabetes and have also both been found to assist with weight loss, but they differ in their molecular structures, effectiveness, and FDA-approved uses.
Similarities
- They both belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists and mimic the actions of a naturally occurring hormone in your body (glucagon-like peptide-1);
- Both medications are administered once a week via an injection given in the back of the upper arm, the abdomen, or the thigh;
- Both result in similar side effects that normally dissipate as your body adjusts to the medication.
Differences
- Dulaglutide and semaglutide have different molecular compositions, which can impact how effective they are and how they interact with each person’s unique metabolism;
- Studies have shown that semaglutide may be more effective than dulaglutide in controlling blood sugar levels and resulting in weight loss;
- Dulaglutide has been approved by the FDA for use only in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but semaglutide is approved for both the management of type 2 diabetes and for weight management;
- While both medications are increased in dosage incrementally, the schedules and strengths are different.
Dosing Schedule For Dulaglutide vs Semaglutide
Both dulaglutide and semaglutide are administered through injections that are administered once a week. To mitigate the side effects that are common to both medications, they each follow a titration schedule that introduces the medication to your body gradually, but the schedules differ in available dosage and length.
Dulaglutide Dosing Schedule
- Starting Dose: 0.75 mg once per week.
- Maintenance Doses: Can be increased to 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg weekly based on individual response and how well the medication is tolerated.
- Schedule: Patients usually begin at 0.75 mg and then increase their dose weekly to improve its effectiveness while minimizing side effects.
Semaglutide Dosing Schedule
- Starting Dose: 0.25 mg once per week for the first 4 weeks.
- Titration Schedule for Diabetes: After 4 weeks at 0.25 mg, the dose increases to 0.5 mg weekly. The strength can be further increased every month to 1 mg or 2 mg weekly, depending on the patient’s needs for blood sugar control.
- Titration Schedule for Weight Loss: The dose is gradually increased every month until weight loss is triggered. Usually, the overseeing doctor will keep you on the dose as long as you are losing weight. When you hit a plateau or weight loss significantly slows down, you move up to the next level and continue your weight loss journey. It can take about five months or more to reach the top dose of 2.4 mg per week.
Dulaglutide vs Semaglutide Key Dosing Differences
Titration Process
- Semaglutide requires a longer titration period (several months) before reaching a full dose when using it for weight loss. Semaglutide offers more gradual dose increases, so it may help better reduce side effects, but it also requires more patience because it may take longer before seeing substantial results;
- Dulaglutide has a faster dose escalation, and patients normally reach the full therapeutic dose much more quickly. It has a much simpler dosing schedule but also offers fewer opportunities to customize the dosage for specific patients.
Maximum Dosages:
- Dulaglutide has a max dose of 4.5 mg weekly;
- Semaglutide has a 2.4 mg max weekly when used for weight loss and a 2 mg weekly max for diabetes management.
Both dulaglutide and semaglutide are effective medications for managing type 2 diabetes, but only semaglutide has been approved for use for weight management. Studies have also shown that semaglutide results in better blood sugar control and weight loss results, making it the better choice if choosing between the two.
Where Can I Find Semaglutide For Weight Loss?
You can get a prescription for semaglutide for weight loss if you qualify during a convenient virtual or in-person consultation with Dr. Angelina Postoev at MySlimMed. She and her team of professionals are available to help you determine if semaglutide is a good option for you.
We offer compounded semaglutide to help you reach your weight loss goals, which is safe, effective, and affordable. And best of all, it is delivered straight to your door each month, so you do not have to worry about disruptions to your weight loss journey. Contact us today to get started or set up a consultation to learn about our subscription program.
