Trulicity to Mounjaro Conversion Chart

When it comes to blood glucose control and weight management with diabetes, picking a suitable medication to fulfill one’s needs is vital to achieve the desired improvement. In order to do that, understanding all the fundamental differences between the brands is vital. Of course, this process is typically conducted under the guidance of a medical professional, but still we believe being educated on a topic wouldn’t hurt, and that’s what we would like to discuss in this blog post.

Today’s choice are two brands: Mounjaro and Trulicity. They are similar in many ways, but some vital differences shouldn’t be ignored, so let’s take a closer look to understand which would work best for one’s particular needs.

Drug Class

• Mounjaro. This brand is a known dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This is the first drug in the GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist class.
• Trulicity. This brand also represents the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists class, which makes it quite similar to Munjaro, but still, some essential differences must be pointed out.

Purpose and Uses

• Mounjaro. This medication is often prescribed to those who need help on their weight loss journey. It must be used along with a healthy diet and training plan to help a person with type 2 diabetes lose weight. Other medications are recommended for individuals with the first type of diabetes, as Mounjaro is not safe for them.
• Trulicity. The injection is mainly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to stabilize blood glucose levels, typically with other insulin medications. Clinical trials have also proven that Trulicity lowers the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people with the second type of diabetes and those suffering from heart disease.

Dosage Adjustment

• Mounjaro. The recommended starting dose for this brand is 2.5 mg, administered subcutaneously once every week. However, this dose is not strong enough for glycemic control; it’s a minimum needed to get used to the new drug, and the dose must be increased over time. After a week, it’s increased to 5 mg weekly, and the maximum number is 15 mg injected every week. Drug interactions, dosage adjustments, and other essentials must be discussed with a specialist in order to achieve desired results.
• Trulicity. In the beginning, a medical professional prescribes 0.75 mg of Trulicity for the body to get used to the new medication. After 4 weeks, it’s increased to 1.5 mg once weekly for better glycemic control. Pediatric patients, as well as those with hepatic impairment and renal impairment, should discuss the peculiarities of their treatments with a specialist because sometimes Trulicity is not the right choice. The maximum recommended dose is 4.5 mg weekly and must be enough to regulate delayed gastric emptying and improve one’s insulin secretion.

Administration

• Mounjaro. Before the treatment, a doctor must show a patient how to use the product properly with their first dose. Any time of the day is suitable for the injection, with or without the meals. Proper areas for the injection are the thighs, the abdomen, and the upper arm. We highly recommend switching the spot every week to avoid irritation. Take a closer look at the solution before the administration to ensure it’s safe to use.
• Trulicity. Administration rules for Trulicity are quite similar to those of Mounjaro. It should be used once weekly, injected into the stomach, thighs, or upper arm, and checked carefully beforehand to make sure the quality is good.

Adverse Reactions and Limitations

• Mounjaro. Typical side effects of this product include abdominal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and other stomach issues. However, these disappear quite fast, even though it is essential to contact a professional if they don’t disappear within a few days. As for the limitations, this product shouldn’t be used by patients with known hypersensitivity to tirzepatide, as well as those with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Trulicity. Regarding adverse effects, Trulicity typically causes nausea and vomiting, as well as some other stomach-related inconveniences. Regarding contraindications, the main one is that patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) cannot use this medication for their personal needs.