Ozempic and Victoza are each glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists which are used within the therapy of kind 2 diabetes.
They assist folks higher handle their blood glucose (sugar) ranges, decrease A1c ranges, enhance insulin sensitivity, and battle insulin resistance.
What are the lively substances in Ozempic vs. Victoza?
Ozempic’s lively ingredient is semaglutide, whereas Victoza incorporates liraglutide. Each medicines belong to the category of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, that are accepted for the therapy of kind 2 diabetes.
They perform by enhancing insulin secretion in response to excessive blood sugar ranges, slowing abdomen emptying, and suppressing urge for food, all of which assist to enhance blood sugar administration and doubtlessly assist with weight administration.
Though they’ve comparable mechanisms of motion, semaglutide and liraglutide have totally different chemical makeups and usually are not immediately interchangeable.
Every drug could provide totally different advantages and dangers, and the selection between them includes cautious consideration of assorted components, together with effectiveness, negative effects, dosing frequency, and particular person preferences.
Allergy symptoms or sensitivities to the lively substances of both treatment additionally require cautious choice and monitoring by a medical skilled.
Why do folks take Ozempic or Victoza?
Ozempic and Victoza are each used for the therapy of kind 2 diabetes. They’re liquid, injectable medicines which are taken subcutaneously (slightly below the pores and skin). Each assist to decrease blood sugar ranges and A1c ranges (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months).
By bettering insulin resistance (a situation by which the physique wants further insulin to take care of regular blood sugar ranges), slowing the speed of digestion, and suppressing urge for food, they not directly contribute to weight administration.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice that weight reduction, whereas a standard profit, is just not the first function of those therapies.
Along with blood sugar administration, Ozempic and Victoza have proven cardiovascular advantages in folks with kind 2 diabetes and current coronary heart illness, doubtlessly lowering the chance of coronary heart assaults, strokes, and even all-cause mortality (loss of life from all causes).
Sometimes, Ozempic or Victoza could be prescribed “off-label” (in a fashion not accepted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration [FDA]) for folks with prediabetes or kind 1 diabetes to enhance insulin resistance and glucose ranges.
It’s necessary to bear in mind that Ozempic and Victoza usually are not prescribed collectively. Customers are usually suggested to make use of one or the opposite based mostly on their medical workforce’s evaluation of their particular scenario.
Learn extra in: All the pieces You Must Know About Ozempic and All the pieces You Must Know About Victoza.
How are Ozempic and Victoza comparable?
Ozempic and Victoza can each be used alone or together with different diabetes medicines. Nonetheless, they’ll by no means absolutely change using insulin in the event you require insulin to deal with your diabetes.
The next are further similarities between the 2 medicines:
Decrease blood sugar and A1c ranges
Ozempic and Victoza successfully decrease blood sugar and A1c ranges by mimicking the consequences of the GLP-1 hormone, which naturally will increase insulin secretion in response to elevated blood sugar ranges.
This motion is glucose-dependent, that means that it primarily happens when there’s a must decrease blood glucose, which helps enhance blood sugar administration with out considerably rising the chance of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Along with boosting insulin launch, these medicines contribute to higher blood sugar administration by suppressing the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that usually alerts the liver to launch saved glucose into the bloodstream.
By lowering glucagon ranges, Ozempic and Victoza assist restrict the liver’s launch of glucose, additional serving to with the discount of blood sugar ranges.
Might trigger weight reduction
Whereas neither treatment is FDA-approved as a weight reduction drug, the medicines suppress urge for food and gradual digestion, which trigger many individuals to drop pounds whereas taking both one.
Since they aren’t accepted for weight reduction by the FDA, there isn’t a beneficial dose to attain this.
Converse together with your physician in the event you’re fascinated with dropping pounds and dwelling with kind 2 diabetes, as there are weight-loss medicines accepted by the FDA for folks dwelling with diabetes.
Study extra in: Can Ozempic Assist You Lose Weight? and Victoza and Weight Loss: Can Victoza Assist You Lose Weight?
Decrease cardiovascular dangers
Scientific proof has demonstrated that each Ozempic and Victoza contribute to decreasing cardiovascular dangers in folks with kind 2 diabetes, particularly those that even have coronary heart illness.
For instance, vital scientific trials such because the LEADER trial for Victoza and the SUSTAIN-6 trial for Ozempic have proven that these medicines not solely cut back the chance of main cardiovascular occasions however may additionally lower the chance of cardiovascular-related loss of life on this inhabitants.
Supporting this, a complete meta-analysis (evaluation of knowledge from a number of research) revealed in The Lancet has consolidated findings from varied research, affirming the cardiovascular advantages of those GLP-1 agonists.
Primarily based on such sturdy proof, the American Diabetes Affiliation (ADA) recommends using GLP-1 agonists, together with Ozempic and Victoza, for folks with kind 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness as a method to lower cardiovascular danger.
Might trigger opposed negative effects
Each Ozempic and Victoza could trigger opposed negative effects.
These embrace:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Low blood sugar, particularly when used together with insulin
Additionally they could trigger extra critical negative effects, together with:
- Pancreatitis (irritation of the pancreas)
- Kidney issues
- Elevated danger of thyroid most cancers
- Allergic response
To be taught extra in regards to the potential negative effects of each medicines, learn: Ozempic Facet Results: What You Must Know and Victoza Facet Results: What You Must Know.
They’re identify manufacturers and costly
Sadly, there aren’t any generic variations of Ozempic or Victoza. They’re each identify manufacturers and fairly costly. Some medical health insurance plans could not cowl both one.
Examine together with your medical health insurance plan to see whether it is included on the formulary and what your cost-sharing could be earlier than beginning the treatment, as they’ll turn into fairly cost-prohibitive over time.
They don’t change insulin
Neither Ozempic nor Victoza replaces insulin. These medicines work alongside different therapies, together with insulin, to assist handle blood sugar ranges successfully.
In case you’re contemplating beginning Ozempic or Victoza, it’s necessary to take care of your present therapy routine, together with insulin if prescribed, except and till your healthcare supplier advises a change.
They are often taken with or with out meals
GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Victoza provide appreciable flexibility in administration, as they are often taken with or with out meals and at any time of day. That is in distinction to insulin and sure different diabetes medicines, which frequently require extra exact timing with meals.
Whereas these medicines are efficient in decreasing blood sugar ranges total, they’ve a low danger of inflicting acute low blood sugar on their very own, due to their glucose-dependent mechanism of motion.
This implies they stimulate insulin launch primarily within the presence of excessive blood glucose ranges, minimizing the chance of blood sugar dropping too low below regular circumstances.
In case you interact in bodily exercise after taking your injection, it’s unlikely to trigger a speedy drop in blood sugar ranges. Nonetheless, as train can affect glucose ranges, monitoring your response, particularly with a brand new therapy routine, is beneficial.
For individuals who expertise nausea after their injection, a standard facet impact, consuming bland meals like toast, bananas, rice, or crackers beforehand could assist reduce this discomfort. As your physique adjusts to the treatment, this facet impact could diminish over time.
Study extra in: Meals to Keep away from Whereas Taking Ozempic and Meals to Keep away from Whereas Taking Victoza.
How are Ozempic and Victoza totally different?
Whereas Ozempic and Victoza share many similarities as GLP-1 agonists used within the administration of kind 2 diabetes, there are a number of key variations which may affect your selection:
Administration frequency
Ozempic is taken as soon as weekly, making it a handy possibility for many who desire less-frequent dosing. In distinction, Victoza requires each day injections, which can be preferable for individuals who want finer management over their blood glucose ranges or who expertise milder negative effects that go away shortly.
Discover out extra in: Ozempic Dosage Information: How A lot Ought to You Take? and Victoza Dosing: How A lot Ought to You Take?
Authorised populations
Ozempic is accepted to be used in adults ages 18 and up with kind 2 diabetes. Then again, Victoza is accepted to be used in folks ages 10 and up with kind 2 diabetes.
Impact length and negative effects
Ozempic is longer-lasting, with a once-weekly dosing schedule. Nonetheless, as a result of it stays lively longer, any negative effects reminiscent of nausea or vomiting may additionally final for as much as per week.
Then again, as a result of Victoza is taken each day, the negative effects usually diminish extra shortly — often inside a day — because the treatment’s impact wears off.
If the prospect of each day injections is a priority, or in the event you are inclined to overlook each day medicines, Ozempic’s weekly schedule would possibly higher fit your life-style.
It’s additionally necessary to bear in mind that the dosing of the 2 medicines is totally totally different. Each require cautious dosing changes that needs to be managed below the steerage of a healthcare supplier.
Ozempic could trigger diabetic retinopathy
Semaglutide, the lively ingredient in Ozempic, could improve the chance of early worsening of diabetic retinopathy (harm to the retina of the attention), notably in individuals who have already got this eye situation.
This facet impact was notably noticed within the SUSTAIN-6 scientific trial, though it doesn’t have an effect on all customers of the treatment.
In distinction, Victoza has not been related to the same danger in main research.
When you have pre-existing diabetic retinopathy or are involved about potential eye well being issues, it’s necessary to debate these dangers together with your physician earlier than beginning Ozempic. This dialog will help be sure that any therapy plan considers each your diabetes administration wants and your total eye well being.
Incessantly requested questions
Can I swap between the 2 medication?
Sure, switching between Ozempic and Victoza is feasible, notably in the event you’re experiencing opposed negative effects with one in every of them. Nonetheless, due to their differing durations of motion and potencies, particular ready durations are beneficial to make sure security:
If switching from Ozempic to Victoza, wait a full week after your final dose of Ozempic earlier than beginning Victoza to permit the consequences of the longer-acting Ozempic to decrease.
If switching from Victoza to Ozempic, wait 24 hours after your final dose of Victoza earlier than taking your first dose of Ozempic.
At all times make such modifications below the steerage of your physician. The dosages of Ozempic and Victoza usually are not equal, and your physician will probably regulate your beginning dose based mostly in your wants and former experiences with GLP-1 medicines.
Even if you’re on the best dose of Victoza, your physician could begin you on a decrease dose of Ozempic and regulate based mostly in your response and any negative effects.
Can you are taking Ozempic and Victoza on the similar time?
No, it’s not beneficial to make use of two medicines from the GLP-1 agonist class, reminiscent of Ozempic and Victoza, concurrently.
Doing so doesn’t improve their effectiveness and will improve the chance of extreme negative effects. Whereas GLP-1 agonists usually have a low danger of inflicting hypoglycemia on their very own, the mix of those medication can doubtlessly result in an elevated danger of gastrointestinal points and different critical negative effects reminiscent of pancreatitis.
It’s necessary to observe your healthcare supplier’s steerage and use solely the prescribed treatment routine.
If I lose sufficient weight taking Ozempic or Victoza, can I get off my different diabetes medicines?
Whereas it’s attainable for folks taking Ozempic or Victoza to cut back and even discontinue different diabetes medicines on account of vital weight reduction and improved blood sugar administration, this isn’t assured.
Weight reduction can enhance insulin sensitivity and cut back blood sugar ranges, doubtlessly lowering the necessity for added medicines.
Nonetheless, any changes to your diabetes therapy plan needs to be made cautiously and at all times below the steerage of a healthcare supplier.
It is very important do not forget that whereas Ozempic and Victoza can considerably enhance diabetes administration, they don’t treatment the situation. The necessity for ongoing treatment, together with insulin, could persist, particularly in those that have had diabetes for a very long time.
This consideration is especially essential for folks with kind 2 diabetes who would possibly be capable of cut back their dependence on insulin or different medicines. In distinction, these with kind 1 diabetes should proceed insulin remedy as their our bodies don’t produce insulin.
In case you expertise any vital modifications, reminiscent of sudden weight reduction or frequent low blood sugar episodes, communicate together with your physician.
