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Mounjaro® Alternatives

Mounjaro®(tirzepatide)
Trulicity®(dulaglutide)
Prescription Only
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes to effectively lower blood sugar levels (blood glucose). Administered as a once-weekly injection, Mounjaro is...
Prescription Only
Trulicity is an injectable medication designed to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. It is employed in conjunction with dietary adjustments and physical...
Dosage & Administration
Administration
Subcutaneous . Learn more.
Subcutaneous. Learn more.
Dosing
2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly * After 4 weeks, increase to 5 mg injected SC once weekly *Increase the dosage in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. if needed. * Max dosage is 15 mg weekly.. Learn more.
Adults * 0.75 mg injected SC weekly. * ↑ 1.5 mg once weekly for glycemic control* ↑ 1.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks * Max 4.5 mg weekly. Pediatric * 0.75 mg injected SC weekly. * ↑ to max 1.5 mg weekly after at least 4 weeks on the 0.75 mg.. Learn more.
Latin Shorthand
Start: 2.5 mg SC weekly Wk 4: Increase to 5 mg SC weekly If more control needed, ↑ by 2.5 mg after ≥4 wks Max: 15 mg SC weekly Weekly dosing, any time, w/wo meals SC injection: abd, thigh, upper arm. Learn more.
Adults: Start: 0.75 mg SC weekly ↑ to 1.5 mg weekly for more control ↑ by 1.5 mg every 4 wks if needed Max: 4.5 mg weekly Pediatric: Start: 0.75 mg SC weekly ↑ to 1.5 mg weekly if more control needed after 4 wks at 0.75 mg. Learn more.
Financial Assistance
Out-Of-Pocket Costs With Copay Card
Annual Cap
$1800. Learn more.
$1800. Learn more.
Assistance Expiration
12/31/2023. Learn more.
End of calendar year. Learn more.
Generics
No lower-cost generic available
No lower-cost generic available
Physician Advisory
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with MOUNJARO are: nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain.. Learn more.
Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.. Learn more.
Mechanism of Actions (MoA)
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Learn more.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Learn more.
Special Populations
What are the risks associated with MOUNJARO use during pregnancy?

Available data with MOUNJARO use in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-related risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). Based on animal reproduction studies, there may be risks to the fetus from exposure to tirzepatide during pregnancy. MOUNJARO should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. In pregnant rats administered tirzepatide during organogenesis, fetal growth reductions and fetal abnormalities occurred at clinical exposure in maternal rats based on AUC. In rabbits administered tirzepatide during organogenesis, fetal growth reductions were observed at clinically relevant exposures based on AUC. These adverse embryo/fetal effects in animals coincided with pharmacological effects on maternal weight and food consumption (see Data). The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6–10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with an HbA1c >7% and has been reported to be as high as 20–25% in women with an HbA1c >10%. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.

What are the clinical considerations regarding pregnancy and MOUNJARO use?

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia-related morbidity.

What animal data is available regarding MOUNJARO use during pregnancy?

In pregnant rats given twice weekly subcutaneous doses of 0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg tirzepatide (0.03-, 0.07-, and 0.5-fold the MRHD of 15 mg once weekly based on AUC) during organogenesis, increased incidences of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations, increased incidences of visceral and skeletal developmental variations, and decreased fetal weights coincided with pharmacologically-mediated reductions in maternal body weights and food consumption at 0.5 mg/kg. In pregnant rabbits given once weekly subcutaneous doses of 0.01, 0.03, or 0.1 mg/kg tirzepatide (0.01-, 0.06-, and 0.2-fold the MRHD) during organogenesis, pharmacologically-mediated effects on the gastrointestinal system resulting in maternal mortality or abortion in a few rabbits occurred at all dose levels. Reduced fetal weights associated with decreased maternal food consumption and body weights were observed at 0.1 mg/kg. In a pre- and post-natal study in rats administered subcutaneous doses of 0.02, 0.10, or 0.25 mg/kg tirzepatide twice weekly from implantation through lactation, F1 pups from F0 maternal rats given 0.25 mg/kg tirzepatide had statistically significant lower mean body weight when compared to controls from post-natal day 7 through post-natal day 126 for males and post-natal day 56 for females.

What are the risks associated with MOUNJARO use during lactation?

There are no data on the presence of tirzepatide in animal or human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for MOUNJARO and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from MOUNJARO or from the underlying maternal condition.

How does MOUNJARO use affect oral hormonal contraceptives?

Use of MOUNJARO may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives due to delayed gastric emptying. This delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes over time. Advise patients using oral hormonal contraceptives to switch to a non-oral contraceptive method, or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation with MOUNJARO.

Is MOUNJARO safe and effective for pediatric patients?

Safety and effectiveness of MOUNJARO have not been established in pediatric patients (younger than 18 years of age).

Are there age-related differences in MOUNJARO use for geriatric patients?

In the pool of seven clinical trials, 1539 (30.1%) MOUNJARO-treated patients were 65 years of age or older, and 212 (4.1%) MOUNJARO-treated patients were 75 years of age or older at baseline. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were detected between these patients and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

Is dosage adjustment necessary for patients with renal impairment using MOUNJARO?

No dosage adjustment of MOUNJARO is recommended for patients with renal impairment. In subjects with renal impairment including end-stage renal disease (ESRD), no change in tirzepatide pharmacokinetics (PK) was observed [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Monitor renal function when initiating or escalating doses of MOUNJARO in patients with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions.

Is dosage adjustment necessary for patients with hepatic impairment using MOUNJARO?

No dosage adjustment of MOUNJARO is recommended for patients with hepatic impairment. In a clinical pharmacology study in subjects with varying degrees of hepatic impairment, no change in tirzepatide PK was observed.

What are the pregnancy-related risks associated with TRULICITY use?

Limited data with TRULICITY in pregnant women are not sufficient to determine a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. There are clinical considerations regarding the risks of poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations]. Based on animal reproduction studies, there may be risks to the fetus from exposure to dulaglutide during pregnancy. TRULICITY should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. In pregnant rats administered dulaglutide during organogenesis, early embryonic deaths, fetal growth reductions, and fetal abnormalities occurred at systemic exposures at least 6-times human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 4.5 mg/week. In pregnant rabbits administered dulaglutide during organogenesis, major fetal abnormalities occurred at 5-times human exposure at the MRHD. Adverse embryo/fetal effects in animals occurred in association with decreased maternal weight and food consumption attributed to the pharmacology of dulaglutide.

What is the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in women with pre-gestational diabetes?

The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6–10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with an HbA1c >7% and has been reported to be as high as 20–25% in women with an HbA1c >10%. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.

What are the clinical considerations regarding pregnancy and TRULICITY use?

Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia-related morbidity.

What animal data is available regarding TRULICITY use during pregnancy?

Pregnant rats given subcutaneous doses of 0.49, 1.63, or 4.89 mg/kg dulaglutide every 3 days during organogenesis had systemic exposures 2-, 6-, and 18-times human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 4.5 mg/week, respectively, based on plasma area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) comparison. Reduced fetal weights associated with decreased maternal food intake and decreased weight gain attributed to the pharmacology of dulaglutide were observed at ≥1.63 mg/kg. Irregular skeletal ossifications and increases in post-implantation loss also were observed at 4.89 mg/kg. In pregnant rabbits given subcutaneous doses of 0.04, 0.12, or 0.41 mg/kg dulaglutide every 3 days during organogenesis, systemic exposures in pregnant rabbits were 0.5-, 2-, and 5-times human exposure at the MRHD, based on plasma AUC comparison. Fetal visceral malformation of lung lobular agenesis and skeletal malformations of the vertebrae and/or ribs were observed in conjunction with decreased maternal food intake and decreased weight gain attributed to the pharmacology of dulaglutide at 0.41 mg/kg. In a prenatal-postnatal study in F0 maternal rats given subcutaneous doses of 0.2, 0.49, or 1.63 mg/kg every third day from implantation through lactation, systemic exposures in pregnant rats were 1-, 2-, and 7-times human exposure at the MRHD, based on plasma AUC comparison. F1 pups from F0 maternal rats given 1.63 mg/kg dulaglutide had statistically significantly lower mean body weight from birth through postnatal day 63 for males and postnatal day 84 for females. F1 offspring from F0 maternal rats receiving 1.63 mg/kg dulaglutide had decreased forelimb and hindlimb grip strength and males had delayed balano-preputial separation. Females had decreased startle response. These physical findings may relate to the decreased size of the offspring relative to controls as they appeared at early postnatal assessments but were not observed at a later assessment. F1 female offspring of the F0 maternal rats given 1.63 mg/kg of dulaglutide had a longer mean escape time and a higher mean number of errors relative to concurrent control during 1 of 2 trials in the memory evaluation portion of the Biel water maze. These findings occurred in conjunction with decreased F0 maternal food intake and decreased weight gain attributed to the pharmacologic activity at 1.63 mg/kg. The human relevance of these memory deficits in the F1 female rats is not known.

What are the risks associated with TRULICITY use during lactation?

There are no data on the presence of dulaglutide in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The presence of dulaglutide in milk of treated lactating animals was not determined. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for TRULICITY and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from TRULICITY or from the underlying maternal condition.

Is TRULICITY safe and effective for pediatric use?

The safety and effectiveness of TRULICITY as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus have been established. Use of TRULICITY for this indication is supported by a 26-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel arm, placebo-controlled trial in 154 pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies (14.6)]. TRULICITY-treated pediatric patients reported a higher incidence of injection site-related reactions compared to TRULICITY-treated adults. The safety and effectiveness of TRULICITY have not been established in pediatric patients less than 10 years of age.

What is the experience with TRULICITY use in geriatric patients?

In the adult glycemic control trials [see Clinical Studies (14.2, 14.3)], 620 (19%) of TRULICITY-treated patients were 65 years of age or older and 65 (2%) of TRULICITY-treated patients were 75 years of age or older at baseline. In the TRULICITY 1.5 mg treatment arm of the REWIND trial (cardiovascular outcomes trial in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors), 2,619 (53%) patients were 65 years of age or older, and 484 (10%) patients were 75 years of age or older at baseline. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness for TRULICITY have been observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger adult patients.

Is dosage adjustment necessary for patients with renal impairment using TRULICITY?

TRULICITY has been studied in patients with varying degrees of renal function, including a dedicated clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed in these studies according to renal function. In a clinical pharmacology study in patients with renal impairment, including end-stage renal disease (ESRD), no clinically relevant change in dulaglutide pharmacokinetics (PK) was observed. In the 52-week trial in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe renal impairment, the PK behavior of TRULICITY 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg once weekly was similar to that demonstrated in previous clinical studies. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with renal impairment including end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Monitor renal function in patients with renal impairment reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions. Use TRULICITY with caution in patients with ESRD.

Is dosage adjustment necessary for patients with hepatic impairment using TRULICITY?

In a clinical pharmacology study in patients with varying degrees of hepatic impairment, no clinically relevant change in dulaglutide PK was observed. However, there is limited clinical experience in patients with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment; therefore, use TRULICITY with caution in these patient populations.

What precautions should be taken for patients with gastroparesis using TRULICITY?

Dulaglutide slows gastric emptying. TRULICITY has not been studied in patients with preexisting gastroparesis. Use TRULICITY with caution in patients with gastroparesis.