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Adlyxin vs. Ozempic

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Adlyxin (lixisenatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes and belong to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class. However, they have several differences. Adlyxin is injected once daily, while Ozempic is injected once a week, making Ozempic more convenient for some people. Adlyxin has been discontinued in the United States as of January 1, 2023, whereas Ozempic is still available. Ozempic is also approved to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which is not an indication for Adlyxin. Common side effects of Adlyxin and Ozempic are similar and include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Both medications can cause low blood sugar when taken with other diabetes medications.

Adlyxin

(lixisenatide)

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Ozempic

(semaglutide)

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Summary for Adlyxin

Prescription only

Adlyxin (lixisenatide) is an add-on medication to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. As of 2023, the medication is no longer available in the United States.

Indications for Adlyxin

  • Type 2 diabetes

Pros and Cons for Adlyxin

Pros

  • Lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) up to 1%.
  • Not as likely to cause very low blood sugar as glyburide or insulin.
  • Adlyxin (lixisenatide) is injected once daily.
  • Adlyxin (lixisenatide) comes as a pre-filled injectable pen that doesn't make you measure out the dose, so you may find this easier to use than other types of injections.
  • Less likely to cause weight gain compared to other diabetic medications.
  • Less risk of nausea compared to other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
  • There is an insulin and Adlyxin (lixisenatide) combination product available on the market.

Cons

  • Not good enough by itself if you have really high blood sugars. It needs to be combined with other oral anti-diabetic medicines or insulin.
  • Commonly causes upset stomach.
  • Can make your birth control pills not work as well. Separate them by taking your birth control pill 1 hour before or 11 hours after injecting Adlyxin (lixisenatide).
  • Oral diabetes medications can work just as well and are cheaper.
  • There isn't a generic form of Adlyxin (lixisenatide) available, which means this drug may be pricey.
  • You'll need to remember to take Adlyxin (lixisenatide) 1 hour before the 1st meal of the day.
  • Only available as an injection.
  • Slows stomach emptying which may affect how other medications are absorbed by your body.

Common Side Effects for Adlyxin

  • Queasy feeling (25%)
  • Vomiting (10%)
  • Headache (9%)
  • Diarrhea (8%)
  • Dizziness (7%)

Warnings for Adlyxin

  • INFLAMMATION OF THE PANCREAS (PANCREATITIS)
  • SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS
  • KIDNEY DAMAGE
  • LOW BLOOD SUGAR (HYPOGLYCEMIA)

Summary for Ozempic

Prescription only

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Indications for Ozempic

Injection:

Tablets:

Pros and Cons for Ozempic

Pros

  • Only given once per week
  • Might help you lose weight
  • Helps lower the risk of heart problems and kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes
  • Available as an injection and an oral tablet

Cons

  • Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Risk of low blood sugar if taken with certain diabetes medications
  • Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes
  • Interacts with medications taken by mouth

Common Side Effects for Ozempic

Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection

Warnings for Ozempic

  • Risk of thyroid tumors
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Eye problems
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications
  • Kidney damage
  • Severe stomach problems
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation

Prices with our coupons for Adlyxin vs. Ozempic

Price Card Drug Icon
Adlyxin1 carton / two 3ml pens of 20mcg
$675.08$689.54
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Ozempic30 tablets / 1.5mg
$149.00$1,211.99
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