Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Duetact (pioglitazone / glimepiride)
Baqsimi (glucagon)
Duetact (pioglitazone / glimepiride)
Baqsimi (glucagon)
Summary of N/a vs. Baqsimi
Summary for Thiazolidinedione / Sulfonylurea
Prescription only
Duetact (pioglitazone / glimepiride) is a combination medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It's meant to be taken along with healthy diet and exercise to lower your blood sugar. This medication is taken by mouth, typically once daily with the first main meal. Duetact (pioglitazone / glimepiride) can raise your risk of low blood sugar and cause symptoms such as dizziness, shakes, and chills. Make sure to carry glucose tablets or fast-acting sugars with you so you can treat low blood sugar when needed.
Summary for Anti-hypoglycemic
Prescription only
Baqsimi (glucagon) is a dry nasal spray used in an emergency to raise blood sugar in people with diabetes who are experiencing dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You spray it into one nostril, but you don't need to inhale it. Like other emergency glucagon medications, you and your caregivers should know when and how to use Baqsimi (glucagon) before you need help.
Indications of N/a vs. Baqsimi
Indications for
•Type 2 diabetes in adults
Indications for
•Severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in adults and children age 4 years and older with diabetes
Pros and Cons of N/a vs. Baqsimi
Pros and Const for Thiazolidinedione / Sulfonylurea
Pros
•Combines two medications into one pill for convenience
•Only taken once a day
•Can be used for people who have kidney disease
Cons
•Need to take with the biggest meal of the day
•More likely to cause weight gain compared to some other medications for diabetes
•Not a good choice for people with bladder cancer
Pros and Const for Anti-hypoglycemic
Pros
•Works very well to quickly raise blood sugar levels
•Given as a puff in the nose rather than an injection like other glucagon products
•Kept at room temperature, so you can carry it around with you
•Still gets absorbed even if you have a cold or are taking medications for a cold
Cons
•Can commonly cause watery eyes and itchy, stuffy, or runny nose
•Could be difficult for some people to use correctly
•Not known if it's safe for children younger than 4 years old
•Might not work well if you haven't had anything to eat for a while (see Risks and Warnings)
Common Side Effects of N/a vs. Baqsimi
Common Side Effects for
•Shakiness, anxiety, and other symptoms of low blood sugar levels (13-16%)
•Cough, runny or stuffy nose, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection (12-15%)
•Weight gain (9-13%)
•Swelling of the legs and feet (6-12%)
•Headache (4-7%)
•Pain while urinating, urinating more often, and other symptoms of an urinary tract infection (6-7%)
Common Side Effects for
Adults:
•Watery eyes (59%)
•Stuffy nose (43%)
•Itchy nose (39%)
•Runny nose (35%)
•Nausea (26%)
•Eye redness (25%)
•Sneezing (20%)
Children:
•Watery eyes (47%)
•Stuffy nose (42%)
•Vomiting (30%)
•Itchy nose (28%)
•Runny nose (25%)
•Headache (25%)
Warnings of N/a vs. Baqsimi
Common Side Effects for
•Heart failure and swelling
•Low blood sugar
•Liver problems
•Risk of bone fractures
•Vision problems
•Risk of low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
•Serious allergic reactions
Common Side Effects for
•High blood pressure in people with pheochromocytoma