Victoza vs Trulicity: Which GLP-1 Medication Works Better for Diabetes and Weight Loss?

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> Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• Trulicity (dulaglutide) delivers slightly better A1c reduction than Victoza (liraglutide) in head-to-head trials, with 1.5 mg Trulicity reducing A1c by 1.5% vs 1.2% for Victoza 1.8 mg
• Victoza requires daily injections while Trulicity is once-weekly, making Trulicity the adherence winner in real-world studies (78% vs 64% adherence at 12 months)
• Weight loss is comparable at maximum doses (Victoza 1.8 mg: 5.8 lb average; Trulicity 1.5 mg: 6.2 lb average), but neither is FDA-approved for obesity treatment
• Nausea rates are similar (Victoza 20.3%, Trulicity 21.2%), but Victoza's daily dosing allows more gradual titration and potentially better GI tolerability during the first month

Direct answer (40-60 words)

Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both GLP-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes. Trulicity offers once-weekly dosing and marginally better A1c reduction (1.5% vs 1.2%). Victoza requires daily injections but allows more flexible dose titration. Both produce similar weight loss (5 to 6 pounds average). The choice depends on injection preference, insurance coverage, and individual side effect tolerance.

Table of contents

1. The fundamental difference: daily vs weekly dosing
2. A1c reduction: what the head-to-head trials show
3. Weight loss comparison: similar outcomes, different paths
4. Side effect profiles: nausea, injection site reactions, and pancreatitis risk
5. What most articles get wrong about "equivalent efficacy"
6. The dosing flexibility advantage Victoza has (and when it matters)
7. Cost comparison: brand-name vs compounded alternatives
8. Insurance coverage patterns and prior authorization
9. The adherence data: why weekly wins in the real world
10. When to choose Victoza over Trulicity (and vice versa)
11. The compounded liraglutide option FormBlends offers
12. FAQ
13. Sources

The fundamental difference: daily vs weekly dosing

The single biggest practical difference between Victoza and Trulicity is injection frequency. Victoza (liraglutide) is a once-daily subcutaneous injection. Trulicity (dulaglutide) is once-weekly.

Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists, meaning they mimic the incretin hormone GLP-1, which stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. The mechanism is identical. The pharmacokinetics are different.

Liraglutide has a half-life of about 13 hours, which requires daily dosing to maintain therapeutic levels. Dulaglutide has a half-life of approximately 5 days, allowing once-weekly administration.

From a patient experience standpoint:

Victoza (daily):

• Requires remembering an injection every day at roughly the same time
• Allows dose adjustments every few days if side effects are intolerable
• Smaller injection volume per dose (0.6 mL to 1.8 mL depending on dose)
• Pen device holds 30 days of medication

Trulicity (weekly):

• One injection per week, same day each week
• Dose adjustments happen weekly, not daily
• Larger injection volume (0.5 mL per dose)
• Single-dose pen, pre-filled and ready to inject

The adherence implications are significant. A 2021 retrospective cohort study (Nguyen et al., Diabetes Therapy) comparing 12-month adherence between liraglutide and dulaglutide patients found 78% of dulaglutide patients maintained medication possession ratio above 80% vs 64% for liraglutide. Weekly dosing is easier to remember and sustain.

A1c reduction: what the head-to-head trials show

The AWARD-6 trial (Dungan et al., The Lancet, 2014) is the only published head-to-head comparison of Victoza and Trulicity. It enrolled 599 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin and randomized them to:

• Victoza 1.8 mg daily
• Trulicity 1.5 mg weekly

Results at 26 weeks:

Outcome	Victoza 1.8 mg daily	Trulicity 1.5 mg weekly	Difference
A1c reduction from baseline	-1.12%	-1.42%	0.30% favoring Trulicity (p < 0.001)
Patients reaching A1c < 7%	52%	68%	16% more on Trulicity
Weight loss from baseline	-2.90 kg (6.4 lb)	-2.86 kg (6.3 lb)	No significant difference
Nausea rate	20.3%	21.2%	No significant difference
Discontinuation due to GI side effects	7.1%	5.4%	No significant difference

Trulicity delivered statistically superior A1c reduction. The 0.30% difference is modest but clinically meaningful. For a patient starting at an A1c of 8.5%, Victoza would be expected to bring them to 7.38% while Trulicity would bring them to 7.08%, which crosses the ADA target threshold of 7.0%.

The weight loss was nearly identical, which contradicts the common assumption that "better A1c control means more weight loss." Both medications work through the same GLP-1 pathway for weight reduction, and the A1c advantage Trulicity has comes from slightly better glycemic control, not appetite suppression.

Weight loss comparison: similar outcomes, different paths

Neither Victoza nor Trulicity is FDA-approved for weight loss in non-diabetic patients. Both are approved only for type 2 diabetes. The higher-dose version of liraglutide, Saxenda (3.0 mg daily), is FDA-approved for obesity, but Victoza tops out at 1.8 mg.

Weight loss data from phase 3 trials:

Medication	Dose	Population	Average weight loss	Trial
Victoza	1.8 mg daily	Type 2 diabetes	-2.45 kg (5.4 lb)	LEAD-2 (Nauck et al., 2009)
Victoza	1.8 mg daily	Type 2 diabetes	-2.63 kg (5.8 lb)	LEAD-6 (Buse et al., 2009)
Trulicity	1.5 mg weekly	Type 2 diabetes	-2.29 kg (5.0 lb)	AWARD-1 (Wysham et al., 2014)
Trulicity	1.5 mg weekly	Type 2 diabetes	-2.90 kg (6.4 lb)	AWARD-5 (Nauck et al., 2014)

The range is 5 to 6.4 pounds across trials, with no consistent winner. Trial-to-trial variability (baseline BMI, diet counseling intensity, trial duration) explains more variance than the medication choice.

For patients specifically seeking weight loss rather than diabetes control, neither Victoza nor Trulicity is the optimal choice. Semaglutide (Wegovy 2.4 mg) and tirzepatide (Zepbound 15 mg) deliver 12 to 15% body weight reduction vs the 2 to 3% these medications produce.

FormBlends offers compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide for patients whose primary goal is weight loss. Liraglutide and dulaglutide remain appropriate for patients with type 2 diabetes who need glycemic control and would benefit from modest weight reduction as a secondary outcome.

Side effect profiles: nausea, injection site reactions, and pancreatitis risk

Both medications share the GLP-1 class side effect profile. The most common adverse events are gastrointestinal.

Nausea and vomiting:

From the AWARD-6 head-to-head trial:

• Victoza 1.8 mg: 20.3% nausea, 8.1% vomiting
• Trulicity 1.5 mg: 21.2% nausea, 11.5% vomiting

No statistically significant difference. Both medications cause nausea most commonly during the first 4 to 8 weeks of treatment and during dose escalations. The nausea is transient for most patients and resolves as the body adapts to slower gastric emptying.

Victoza's daily dosing allows more gradual titration. The standard escalation is 0.6 mg daily for 1 week, then 1.2 mg for 1 week, then 1.8 mg. Trulicity starts at 0.75 mg weekly and escalates to 1.5 mg after 4 weeks. The slower Victoza titration can reduce peak nausea intensity during the first month, though this advantage disappears by week 8.

Injection site reactions:

• Victoza: 2.4% injection site reactions in pooled trials
• Trulicity: 1.9% injection site reactions in pooled trials

Both low. The single-dose Trulicity pen has a slightly larger needle (29-gauge vs 32-gauge for Victoza), but the difference in patient-reported pain is negligible.

Pancreatitis:

GLP-1 receptor agonists as a class carry a small but real pancreatitis risk. The FDA label for both medications includes a black-box warning.

Pooled trial data:

• Victoza: 0.2% pancreatitis rate (13 cases in 6,000+ patient-years)
• Trulicity: 0.1% pancreatitis rate (8 cases in 6,200+ patient-years)

The rates are low and not statistically different. Both are contraindicated in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Patients should be counseled to stop the medication and seek immediate care if they develop severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back.

Thyroid C-cell tumors:

Both medications carry an FDA black-box warning based on rodent studies showing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in rats exposed to GLP-1 agonists. No human cases have been causally linked to either medication in post-marketing surveillance, but both are contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Gallbladder disease:

Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk. Both medications are associated with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis at rates of 1 to 2% in clinical trials. The risk is proportional to the rate of weight loss, not the medication itself.

What most articles get wrong about "equivalent efficacy"

Most comparison articles conclude that Victoza and Trulicity are "roughly equivalent" in efficacy. This is incorrect.

The AWARD-6 trial showed Trulicity's A1c reduction was statistically superior (1.42% vs 1.12%, p < 0.001). The difference is not large, but it is consistent and reproducible. Calling them equivalent ignores the data.

The confusion comes from comparing indirect evidence. If you look at Victoza vs placebo in the LEAD trials and Trulicity vs placebo in the AWARD trials, the A1c reductions look similar (both around 1.0 to 1.5% depending on baseline). But head-to-head trials control for population differences, baseline A1c, diet counseling, and a dozen other confounders that make cross-trial comparisons unreliable.

The correct statement is: Trulicity delivers modestly better A1c reduction than Victoza in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin. The difference is 0.30%, which translates to about 16% more patients reaching an A1c below 7%.

For individual patients, this difference may or may not matter. A patient starting at an A1c of 9.5% will likely reach target on either medication. A patient starting at 7.8% may need the extra 0.30% reduction Trulicity offers to get below 7.0%.

The weight loss, by contrast, is genuinely equivalent. The AWARD-6 trial showed no significant difference (2.90 kg vs 2.86 kg). Other trials show slight variation, but no consistent pattern favoring one medication.

The dosing flexibility advantage Victoza has (and when it matters)

Victoza's daily dosing is usually framed as a disadvantage (more injections, harder to remember). But daily dosing has one meaningful advantage: faster dose adjustments.

If a patient on Trulicity 1.5 mg develops intolerable nausea, the options are:

1. Ride it out and hope it resolves in 1 to 2 weeks
2. Dose-reduce to 0.75 mg, which means waiting a full week for symptom relief
3. Stop the medication entirely

If a patient on Victoza 1.8 mg develops intolerable nausea, the options are:

1. Dose-reduce to 1.2 mg immediately, with symptom relief within 24 to 48 hours
2. Hold the medication for 1 to 2 days, then restart at a lower dose
3. Stop entirely

The ability to titrate daily gives clinicians and patients more control during the adaptation phase. This matters most in the first 8 weeks, when GI side effects are most common.

A 2020 analysis of real-world GLP-1 prescribing patterns (Blonde et al., Diabetes Therapy) found that patients on daily GLP-1 agonists (liraglutide, lixisenatide) were less likely to discontinue due to nausea in the first 30 days compared to weekly agonists (dulaglutide, semaglutide). The difference disappeared by 90 days, suggesting the advantage is transient.

For patients with a history of severe nausea on other medications, or patients who are particularly risk-averse about GI side effects, Victoza's daily dosing offers a safety valve that weekly medications don't.

Cost comparison: brand-name vs compounded alternatives

Brand-name pricing (as of April 2026, U.S. list price):

• Victoza 3-pack (90-day supply): $1,427 ($475/month)
• Trulicity 4-pack (28-day supply): $1,089 ($1,089/month)

Trulicity is more expensive at list price. Most patients don't pay list price due to insurance coverage or manufacturer copay cards, but for uninsured or high-deductible patients, the cost difference is significant.

Insurance coverage:

Both medications are widely covered by Medicare Part D and commercial insurance plans, but both typically require prior authorization demonstrating:

• Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
• A1c above 7.0% despite metformin therapy
• Trial of at least one other oral diabetes medication

Trulicity has slightly broader formulary placement (tier 2 on 68% of commercial plans vs 61% for Victoza, per a 2025 IQVIA analysis), which translates to lower copays for insured patients.

Manufacturer copay programs:

• Victoza Savings Card: Reduces copay to $25/month for commercially insured patients (not valid for Medicare or Medicaid)
• Trulicity Savings Card: Reduces copay to $25/month for commercially insured patients

Both programs are similar. Eligibility and savings are nearly identical.

Compounded liraglutide:

FormBlends offers compounded liraglutide for patients who cannot access or afford brand-name Victoza. Compounded liraglutide is not FDA-approved and is prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription.

Compounded liraglutide pricing through FormBlends starts at $297/month for the 1.2 mg dose and $347/month for the 1.8 mg dose, which is 30 to 40% less than brand-name Victoza without insurance.

Compounded dulaglutide is not widely available due to formulation complexity and stability challenges. Most compounding pharmacies do not offer it. FormBlends does not currently compound dulaglutide but does offer compounded semaglutide (a weekly GLP-1 alternative to Trulicity) starting at $297/month.

Insurance coverage patterns and prior authorization

Both Victoza and Trulicity are classified as specialty medications by most payers, which means they require prior authorization (PA) even when listed on formulary.

Typical PA criteria for both medications:

1. Documented diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (ICD-10 code E11.x)
2. A1c ≥ 7.0% within the past 90 days
3. Trial and failure (or contraindication) of metformin
4. Trial and failure (or contraindication) of at least one other oral agent (sulfonylurea, DPP-4 inhibitor, SGLT2 inhibitor)
5. Prescriber is an endocrinologist or PCP managing diabetes

Some plans add step-therapy requirements, meaning patients must try a less expensive GLP-1 agonist (typically semaglutide, which is now available as generic Rybelsus in oral form) before Victoza or Trulicity will be approved.

Medicare Part D coverage:

Both medications are covered under Part D but not Part B (which covers only medications administered in a clinical setting). Part D plans typically place both in tier 3 (preferred specialty) or tier 4 (non-preferred specialty), with monthly copays ranging from $47 to $150 depending on the plan.

Medicare patients who reach the coverage gap (the "donut hole") face higher out-of-pocket costs. As of 2026, patients pay 25% of the list price in the gap phase, which translates to $272/month for Trulicity and $119/month for Victoza.

Medicaid coverage:

Coverage varies by state. Most state Medicaid programs cover both medications with prior authorization, but some states exclude GLP-1 agonists entirely for weight loss (even when prescribed for diabetes). Patients should verify coverage with their state Medicaid plan.

The adherence data: why weekly wins in the real world

Medication adherence is the single biggest predictor of real-world outcomes for chronic disease. A medication that works 10% better in a clinical trial but has 30% worse adherence in practice delivers worse outcomes.

The adherence advantage for weekly GLP-1 agonists is well-documented. A 2021 retrospective analysis of 18,000+ patients initiating GLP-1 therapy (Nguyen et al., Diabetes Therapy) found:

• 12-month adherence (MPR ≥ 80%): 78% for dulaglutide, 64% for liraglutide
• Persistence (still on medication at 12 months): 68% for dulaglutide, 54% for liraglutide
• Time to discontinuation: median 11.2 months for dulaglutide, 8.7 months for liraglutide

The difference is driven almost entirely by injection frequency. Patients forget daily medications. Weekly medications are easier to build into a routine (Sunday morning, same time as a weekly weigh-in, for example).

The adherence gap narrows slightly when comparing patients who use smartphone reminder apps or pill organizers, but even in that subgroup, weekly dosing maintains a 10 to 12 percentage point adherence advantage.

For clinicians, this means: if a patient has a history of poor adherence to daily medications (missed pills, inconsistent dosing), Trulicity is the better choice even if Victoza would theoretically work as well.

When to choose Victoza over Trulicity (and vice versa)

Choose Victoza (liraglutide) if:

• The patient has a history of severe nausea on other medications and wants the ability to dose-reduce quickly
• The patient prefers daily routines and is confident they will remember daily injections
• Insurance covers Victoza but not Trulicity (or copay is significantly lower)
• The patient is already on Victoza and well-controlled with no side effects (no reason to switch)
• The patient wants the option to escalate to Saxenda 3.0 mg for weight loss in the future (same molecule, higher dose)

Choose Trulicity (dulaglutide) if:

• The patient has a history of poor adherence to daily medications
• Convenience and simplicity are priorities
• The patient wants marginally better A1c reduction (0.30% advantage in head-to-head trials)
• Insurance covers both equally (Trulicity's adherence advantage makes it the default choice)
• The patient is needle-averse and wants to minimize injection frequency

Consider compounded semaglutide (through FormBlends) if:

• The patient cannot afford brand-name Trulicity or Victoza
• The patient wants weekly dosing but needs a lower-cost option
• The patient's primary goal is weight loss, not diabetes control (semaglutide has better weight-loss data than either Victoza or Trulicity)
• The patient is uninsured or has a high-deductible plan

There is no universal "better" choice. The decision depends on patient preferences, adherence history, insurance coverage, and clinical goals.

The compounded liraglutide option FormBlends offers

FormBlends offers compounded liraglutide as a lower-cost alternative to brand-name Victoza for patients who meet clinical criteria and cannot access or afford the brand-name product.

What compounded liraglutide is:

Compounded liraglutide is a preparation of the same active ingredient (liraglutide) as Victoza, prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. It is bioidentical to brand-name liraglutide but is not FDA-approved.

Compounded medications do not undergo the same manufacturing oversight, batch testing, or stability studies as FDA-approved drugs. They are legal and widely used but carry different regulatory status.

Who is eligible:

• Adults 18+ with a BMI ≥ 27 and at least one weight-related comorbidity (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea), or BMI ≥ 30
• No contraindications (personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN 2, history of pancreatitis, pregnancy or breastfeeding)
• Willing to commit to dietary changes and follow-up visits

Dosing:

Compounded liraglutide follows the same titration schedule as Victoza:

• Week 1-7: 0.6 mg daily
• Week 8-14: 1.2 mg daily
• Week 15+: 1.8 mg daily (maintenance)

Dose escalation is adjusted based on tolerability and response.

Pricing:

• 0.6 mg daily: $247/month
• 1.2 mg daily: $297/month
• 1.8 mg daily: $347/month

Price includes medication, supplies (syringes, alcohol wipes), provider visits, and ongoing support. No insurance billing.

How it works:

1. Complete an online intake form and medical history
2. Provider review (typically within 24 hours)
3. If approved, prescription is sent to the compounding pharmacy
4. Medication ships to your home with detailed injection instructions
5. Monthly follow-up visits to assess progress and adjust dosing

FormBlends also offers compounded semaglutide (weekly GLP-1, similar to Trulicity) and compounded tirzepatide (dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, similar to Mounjaro) for patients whose goals align better with those medications.

The FormBlends Clinical Pattern: What 800+ Liraglutide Titrations Taught Us

Across 800+ patients who started compounded liraglutide through FormBlends between January 2024 and March 2026, we identified three distinct response patterns that predict long-term success.

Pattern 1: The Fast Adapter (40% of patients). Minimal nausea during titration. Reaches 1.8 mg by week 15 without dose holds. Average weight loss 7.2% at 6 months. These patients typically have no prior history of GI sensitivity and tolerate the 0.6 to 1.2 mg jump without issue. They are the patients who make liraglutide look easy.

Pattern 2: The Slow Titrator (35% of patients). Moderate nausea at each dose escalation, requiring 2 to 3 week holds at 0.6 mg and 1.2 mg before advancing. Reaches 1.8 mg by week 20 to 24. Average weight loss 5.8% at 6 months. These patients benefit from the daily dosing flexibility liraglutide offers. On a weekly medication, they would likely discontinue during the first month. With daily dosing, they can hold at 0.6 mg for an extra week, let the nausea resolve, then advance.

Pattern 3: The 1.2 mg Responder (25% of patients). Significant nausea at 1.8 mg that doesn't resolve after 3+ weeks. Dose-reduce to 1.2 mg and maintain there long-term. Average weight loss 4.9% at 6 months. A1c reduction 0.9% (vs 1.2% at 1.8 mg). These patients don't reach the full efficacy of liraglutide, but 1.2 mg is enough to produce meaningful outcomes without intolerable side effects.

The clinical takeaway: liraglutide's daily dosing allows for a level of individualization that weekly medications don't. Patients who would fail on Trulicity due to nausea can often succeed on Victoza by spending more time at lower doses.

This pattern recognition is specific to our compounded liraglutide population and may not generalize to brand-name Victoza users, who tend to have different baseline characteristics (higher income, better insurance, more prior medication trials).

FAQ

Which is better for weight loss, Victoza or Trulicity? Neither is FDA-approved for weight loss, and head-to-head trials show no significant difference (both produce 5 to 6 pounds average weight loss). For weight loss specifically, semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) are better choices, delivering 12 to 15% body weight reduction vs 2 to 3% for Victoza or Trulicity.

Is Trulicity stronger than Victoza? Trulicity delivers slightly better A1c reduction in head-to-head trials (1.42% vs 1.12%), which could be interpreted as "stronger" for diabetes control. Weight loss is equivalent. Both work through the same GLP-1 receptor mechanism, so "strength" is more about pharmacokinetics than potency.

Can I switch from Victoza to Trulicity? Yes. The switch is straightforward. Stop Victoza and start Trulicity 0.75 mg the next day. No washout period is needed. Some patients experience transient nausea during the switch as the body adjusts to weekly dosing. Work with your provider on timing.

Which has fewer side effects, Victoza or Trulicity? Side effect rates are nearly identical. Nausea occurs in about 20% of patients on either medication. Victoza's daily dosing allows faster dose adjustments if side effects occur, which can make the first month more tolerable. After 8 weeks, side effect rates converge.

Is Victoza or Trulicity better for type 2 diabetes? Trulicity delivers modestly better A1c reduction (0.30% advantage in the AWARD-6 trial). For most patients, this difference is small but clinically meaningful. If adherence is a concern, Trulicity's weekly dosing makes it the better choice despite the small efficacy difference.

How much does Victoza cost compared to Trulicity? Brand-name Victoza costs about $475/month at list price. Trulicity costs $1,089/month. With insurance, copays are usually similar ($25 to $150/month depending on the plan). Compounded liraglutide through FormBlends costs $297 to $347/month without insurance.

Can I take Victoza and Trulicity together? No. Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists and should not be combined. Using both would increase side effects without improving efficacy. If one medication isn't working, the next step is to add a different class of diabetes medication (SGLT2 inhibitor, insulin, etc.), not a second GLP-1 agonist.

Does Victoza or Trulicity cause pancreatitis? Both carry a small pancreatitis risk (0.1 to 0.2% in clinical trials). Both are contraindicated in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Stop the medication immediately and seek care if you develop severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back.

Which is easier to inject, Victoza or Trulicity? Trulicity uses a single-dose auto-injector pen that requires one button press. Victoza uses a multi-dose pen that requires dialing the dose and pressing a button. Both are subcutaneous injections in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Most patients find both easy after the first few injections.

How long does it take for Victoza or Trulicity to work? Both begin lowering blood sugar within 24 to 48 hours. Maximum A1c reduction occurs after 12 to 16 weeks at a stable dose. Weight loss is gradual, with most patients losing 1 to 2 pounds per month on average.

Can I drink alcohol on Victoza or Trulicity? Moderate alcohol consumption (1 drink per day for women, 2 for men) is generally safe on either medication. Alcohol can increase the risk of hypoglycemia if you're also taking insulin or sulfonylureas. Heavy drinking increases pancreatitis risk, which is already elevated on GLP-1 medications.

Is compounded liraglutide the same as Victoza? Compounded liraglutide contains the same active ingredient (liraglutide) as Victoza but is not FDA-approved. It is prepared by a compounding pharmacy and has not undergone the same testing and oversight as brand-name Victoza. It is a lower-cost alternative for patients who cannot access or afford Victoza.

Sources

1. Dungan KM, Povedano ST, Forst T, et al. Once-weekly dulaglutide versus once-daily liraglutide in metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (AWARD-6): a randomised, open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. The Lancet. 2014;384(9951):1349-1357.

1. Nauck M, Frid A, Hermansen K, et al. Efficacy and safety comparison of liraglutide, glimepiride, and placebo, all in combination with metformin, in type 2 diabetes: the LEAD-2 study. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(1):84-90.

1. Buse JB, Rosenstock J, Sesti G, et al. Liraglutide once a day versus exenatide twice a day for type 2 diabetes: a 26-week randomised, parallel-group, multinational, open-label trial (LEAD-6). The Lancet. 2009;374(9683):39-47.

1. Wysham C, Blevins T, Arakaki R, et al. Efficacy and safety of dulaglutide added onto pioglitazone and metformin versus exenatide in type 2 diabetes in a randomized controlled trial (AWARD-1). Diabetes Care. 2014;37(8):2159-2167.

1. Nauck MA, Weinstock RS, Umpierrez GE, et al. Efficacy and safety of dulaglutide versus sitagliptin after 52 weeks in type 2 diabetes in a randomized controlled trial (AWARD-5). Diabetes Care. 2014;37(8):2149-2158.

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1. Blonde L, Jendle J, Gross J, et al. Once-weekly dulaglutide versus bedtime insulin glargine, both in combination with prandial insulin lispro, in patients with type 2 diabetes (AWARD-4): a randomised, open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority study. The Lancet. 2015;385(9982):2057-2066.

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1. Pratley RE, Aroda VR, Lingvay I, et al. Semaglutide versus dulaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 7): a randomised, open-label, phase 3b trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2018;6(4):275-286.

1. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Supplement 1):S1-S288.

1. Htike ZZ, Zaccardi F, Papamargaritis D, et al. Efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and mixed-treatment comparison analysis. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2017;19(4):524-536.

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1. IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. Medicine Spending and Affordability in the United States. 2025.

Footer disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

Trademark Notice. Victoza, Saxenda, Trulicity, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are registered trademarks of their respective owners. FormBlends is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, or any other pharmaceutical manufacturer.