GLP-1 agonists are now prevalent drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Dulaglutide are some of the most frequently prescribed GLP-1 agonists. Although these drugs work in the same way, they vary with regards to dosing, effectiveness, side effects, and other factors. By learning about these differences, patients and medical professionals can make better-informed decisions regarding which drug is best suited to meet their individual needs. To know more about semaglutide industry, check out the latest research report by Coherent Market Insights
Efficacy
Semaglutide has proven to be a very effective GLP-1 agonist, especially for weight loss and glycaemic control. Semaglutide, in clinical trials, has been found to lower HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar control) and body weight by a significant amount. It has been found to lower HbA1c by 1.5-1.8% when used to manage Type 2 diabetes, which is more than other GLP-1 agonists.
Liraglutide, however, is also effective but produces a much smaller HbA1c reduction of 1.0-1.4%. While still very effective, it is often perceived to be less effective for weight loss than Semaglutide.
Dulaglutide is similarly effective at regulating blood glucose with HbA1c reductions of 1.0-1.5%. While as effective as Liraglutide, its longer half-life causes its onset of action to be delayed.
Semaglutide is also superior when it comes to weight loss. Patients who take Semaglutide weigh more than those on Liraglutide or Dulaglutide, with some trials showing an average weight loss of 12-15% in a year.
Administration
The route and frequency of administration are two of the most important differences among these GLP-1 agonists.
Semaglutide is usually administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection, which might be more appealing to those who want less frequent treatment. Liraglutide, however, needs to be injected daily, which could be inconvenient to some users regarding treatment compliance.
Dulaglutide is also administered once a week, just like Semaglutide, so it is more convenient for individuals who need fewer injections. Due to this similarity, Dulaglutide is a great option for individuals who have difficulty with daily injections.
Possible side effects
All GLP-1 agonists have the potential to produce gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, particularly in the initial weeks of treatment. The side effects are generally mild and subside as the body adapts to the medication.
Semaglutide has been associated with a greater incidence of nausea compared to Liraglutide or Dulaglutide, though this is typically temporary. Semaglutide tends to have a dose-related risk of gastrointestinal distress.
Liraglutide has gastrointestinal side effects, but they are milder than those of Semaglutide. Nevertheless, since it is administered daily, some patients may not be able to tolerate it.
Dulaglutide is usually better tolerated in the sense of frequency of injection because of its once-weekly dosing regimen. Its gastrointestinal side effects are similar to those of Liraglutide and Semaglutide but are milder.
Cost and accessibility
The other key aspect to keep in mind while comparing different drugs is cost. Semaglutide tends to be more costly than Liraglutide or Dulaglutide due to its recent approval and high demand. Nonetheless, insurance plans and patient assistance programs can soften the financial blow.
Despite being GLP-1 agonists, Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Dulaglutide vary greatly in efficacy, side effects, injection timing, and cost. Semaglutide might be optimal for individuals in search of intensive weight loss and improved blood glucose control with once-weekly injections, but at the cost of increased expense and possible gastrointestinal adverse effects. Daily dosing by liraglutide yields excellent efficacy and fewer serious adverse effects, with it being an optimal choice for those who are able to remain compliant with once-daily injections. Dulaglutide, with its once-weekly dosing and balanced efficacy profile, is an alternative for individuals seeking an injectable with less frequent dosing.
