Trulicity vs Ozempic in India — Dulaglutide or Semaglutide?
Last reviewed 12 May 2026 · India-specific clinical evidence
The short answer
Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both once-weekly GLP-1 injections approved in India for type 2 diabetes. In SUSTAIN-7, the only head-to-head trial, semaglutide lowered HbA1c and body weight more at each dose pairing tested. In India Ozempic is also cheaper — ₹5,660–9,100 a month versus about ₹11,300 for Trulicity — and generic semaglutide costs less again.
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Trulicity vs Ozempic — at a glance
| Attribute | Trulicity | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Dulaglutide | Semaglutide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Marketed in India by | Cipla (made by Eli Lilly) | Novo Nordisk (Extensior: Abbott) |
| Indication (India) | Type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
| Strengths sold in India | 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg | 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg |
| Frequency | Once weekly | Once weekly |
| Pen | Single-dose pen — a new pen each week | Multi-dose FlexTouch pen — about one pen a month |
| HbA1c change (SUSTAIN-7, 40 weeks) | −1.1% (0.75 mg) · −1.4% (1.5 mg) | −1.5% (0.5 mg) · −1.8% (1 mg) |
| Weight change (SUSTAIN-7, top doses) | −3.0 kg (1.5 mg) | −6.5 kg (1 mg) |
| Approved for weight loss in India | No | No — obesity-dose semaglutide is sold as Wegovy |
| Approx. monthly price (India, Sep 2026) | ≈ ₹11,300 (₹5,669 per 2-pen pack) | ₹5,660 – ₹9,100 |
| Generic available in India | None found | Yes — generic semaglutide from ₹220/shot |
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes (Schedule H) |
Efficacy — what the trials show
Trulicity
Dulaglutide’s evidence base is the AWARD trial programme, plus cardiovascular-outcomes data from the REWIND trial. In SUSTAIN-7 — the one head-to-head against semaglutide, run for 40 weeks in 1,201 adults with type 2 diabetes already on metformin — dulaglutide lowered HbA1c by 1.1% at 0.75 mg and 1.4% at 1.5 mg, with about 3 kg of weight loss at 1.5 mg.
Ozempic
In the same SUSTAIN-7 trial, semaglutide lowered HbA1c by 1.5% at 0.5 mg and 1.8% at 1 mg, and body weight by 6.5 kg at 1 mg — more than dulaglutide at each dose pairing. Semaglutide also has its own cardiovascular-outcomes data (SUSTAIN-6). Individual results vary; your doctor weighs these numbers against your history.
Cost in India (2026)
Trulicity
Trulicity sells at an MRP of about ₹5,669 for a pack of two single-dose pens, the same price for 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg. At one pen a week that is roughly ₹11,300 a month. It is made by Eli Lilly and distributed in India by Cipla (since a 2021 agreement). We found no generic dulaglutide marketed in India.
Ozempic
Ozempic costs ₹5,660–9,100 a month after Novo Nordisk’s 2026 price cuts, depending on dose. Since India’s semaglutide patent expired in March 2026, DCGI-approved generic semaglutide is also available from about ₹220 per weekly shot — well below either branded option.
Side effects
Trulicity
Typical GLP-1 side effects: nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort, most common when starting or stepping up the dose. Rarer class-wide risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and a thyroid C-cell tumour warning based on animal data — people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer should not use it.
Ozempic
The same class profile as dulaglutide — nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, mostly while the dose is being increased, which is why semaglutide is started low and stepped up every four weeks. The rare class-wide risks (pancreatitis, gallbladder events, the thyroid C-cell warning) apply equally.
Which one should you consider?
Pick Trulicity if
- ✓You are already stable and well controlled on it
- ✓You prefer a ready-to-use single-dose pen each week, with no dose dialling
- ✓Your doctor prefers it for your particular history
Pick Ozempic if
- ✓You want the larger HbA1c and weight reduction seen in SUSTAIN-7
- ✓Cost matters — Ozempic is cheaper, and generic semaglutide is cheaper still
- ✓You may later need an obesity-dose option (semaglutide 2.4 mg, sold as Wegovy)
Frequently asked questions
Is Ozempic better than Trulicity?+
How much does Trulicity cost in India?+
Can I switch from Trulicity to Ozempic?+
Is Trulicity approved for weight loss in India?+
Are Trulicity 3 mg and 4.5 mg available in India?+
Is there a generic version of Trulicity in India?+
Related comparisons
Find out which one fits your profile
The 5-minute Indian-guideline assessment uses your BMI, comorbidities, and lab values (optional) to recommend an evidence-based starting point.
Start the free assessment →Information based on DCGI-approved labelling, peer-reviewed trials (STEP, SUSTAIN, SURMOUNT, SURPASS, SELECT), and ESI India clinical guidelines. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner before starting or switching therapy. Both molecules referenced here are Schedule H drugs in India.