{"id":18330,"date":"2021-02-04T13:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-02-04T18:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=18330"},"modified":"2025-08-25T13:45:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T17:45:06","slug":"trulicity-and-metformin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trulicity-and-metformin\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it safe to take Trulicity and metformin together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Those who live with diabetes know how it can affect a person’s quality of life. The two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2<\/a>, can both make daily life more stressful. The good news is that treatment for diabetes has vastly improved over the decades. Medications are one of the best treatment options for people with diabetes because they can help regulate blood sugar levels and keep the body healthy. Two of the most popular diabetes medications are Trulicity and metformin. Both treat Type 2 diabetes, and sometimes, they’re taken together.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are Trulicity and metformin the same thing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metformin<\/span> is a generic anti-diabetic medication that treats Type 2 diabetes by helping control the body\u2019s sensitivity to insulin. It\u2019s meant to be a part of a larger treatment plan for Type 2 diabetes that includes diet and exercise. It is a first-line treatment medication for Type 2 diabetes and can also be combined with other medications that are used to treat Type 2 diabetes.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trulicity<\/span> is a brand-name medication that\u2019s used to treat Type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy diet and physical exercise. Trulicity helps lower blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin secretion. It can be used on its own or with other medications that also treat Type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes for Type 2 diabetics with cardiovascular risk factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes Trulicity can be taken at the same time as metformin, which is safe to do under the right circumstances. Let\u2019s take a more in-depth look at Trulicity and metformin to better understand when it\u2019s safe to take them together.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Trulicity or metformin better?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The American Diabetic Association recommends metformin as the initial treatment for Type 2 diabetes. In <\/span>2014<\/span><\/a>, Trulicity was introduced in the U.S. as an injection that can help improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Even after Trulicity was put on the market, metformin still held its position as the initial medication of choice for Type 2 diabetes because it\u2019s been proven to be very effective and is inexpensive. Metformin can drop HbA1C (hemoglobin) levels by as much as 1.5%, according to <\/span>Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/span><\/a>. The FDA still doesn\u2019t recommend Trulicity for the initial treatment of Type 2 diabetes, but it is effective at treating the condition and has been shown to drop HbA1C levels by as much as <\/span>0.5% to 1.5%<\/span><\/a> in clinical trials.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Drug class<\/span><\/h3>\n

Metformin belongs to a group of medications called biguanides that reduce the amount of glucose that\u2019s absorbed from food and that\u2019s made by the liver. Metformin can be used alone or combined with other medications, including insulin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trulicity is the brand name of the generic medication called dulaglutide, which belongs to a group of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These types of medications treat Type 2 diabetes by stimulating the body\u2019s natural production of insulin and by reducing the liver\u2019s ability to make glucose. Trulicity is a non-insulin injectable that\u2019s great for controlling blood glucose levels with a low risk of hypoglycemia. It\u2019s not a substitute for insulin and can\u2019t treat Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In comparison to other GLP-1 receptor agonists like <\/span>Bydureon (exenatide) and <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/a> (liraglutide), Trulicity is just as effective at lowering Hgb-A1c levels.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Compare Trulicity vs. Victoza<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Standard dosages\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Metformin is available as an oral tablet in dosage strengths of 500 mg, 850 mg, and 1000 mg. It\u2019s also available as an extended-release tablet in dosage strengths of 500 mg, 750 mg, 1000 mg, and as an oral solution with the same dosage strength options. The <\/span>standard dose of metformin<\/span><\/a> for Type 2 diabetes is 500 mg taken twice per day or 850 mg taken once per day with meals. The amount of metformin you\u2019ll need to take will vary based on your unique symptoms and medical history, so it\u2019s always a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional about which dosage strength of metformin is right for you.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trulicity is only available as an injection but can be given in strengths of <\/span>0.75 mg\/0.5 mL, 1.5 mg\/0.5 mL, 3 mg\/0.5 mL, or 4.5 mg\/0.5 mL per single dose pen. The recommended initial dose of Trulicity for treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus is <\/span>0.75 mg<\/span><\/a> given as a subcutaneous injection once per week. A healthcare provider may increase Trulicity dosing over time for more glycemic control, but higher doses of Trulicity may cause more side effects, especially nausea. Talking with a medical professional is the best way to learn more about what dosage strength of Trulicity is right for you.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost<\/span><\/h3>\n

Metformin is a relatively cheap medication that ranges in cost from about $8 to potentially over $150 without insurance. Just like with any medication, the price will go up or down depending on the quantity of tablets purchased. A great way to save money on metformin is by using a <\/span>metformin coupon<\/span><\/a> that could drop the amount you pay to $4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trulicity is a very expensive drug, especially for people who don\u2019t have health insurance. Without health insurance, it costs just over $1,440 for a single injection of Trulicity. Some health insurance plans may help cover the high cost of Trulicity, and online coupons like SingleCare\u2019s <\/span>Trulicity coupon<\/span><\/a> could drop the price to $771.34 per injection. The manufacturer of Trulicity, Eli Lilly and Company, also offers discounts on Trulicity pens for eligible patients.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n

Metformin can cause certain <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> that are good to be aware of. Here are some of the most common side effects of metformin:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n