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N/a vs. Baqsimi

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

Key takeaways

Duetact (pioglitazone / glimepiride) and Baqsimi (glucagon) are both medications used to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but they serve different purposes and belong to different medication classes. Duetact is a combination of a thiazolidinedione and a sulfonylurea, used to treat Type 2 diabetes by helping your body use insulin better and releasing more insulin. It is taken orally once a day with the first main meal. Baqsimi, on the other hand, is an anti-hypoglycemic medication used as a nasal spray to quickly raise blood sugar during severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) emergencies. Duetact can cause side effects like weight gain, low blood sugar, and swelling, and it may interact with medications like gemfibrozil (Lopid). Baqsimi can cause side effects such as watery eyes and a stuffy nose, and it should not be used if you have certain tumors like pheochromocytoma or insulinoma. While Duetact is used for ongoing blood sugar management, Baqsimi is for emergency use when blood sugar drops too low.

Duetact

(pioglitazone / glimepiride)

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Baqsimi

(glucagon)

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Summary for N/a

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.

Indications for N/a

  • Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for N/a

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

Common Side Effects for N/a

  • 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%)

Warnings for N/a

  • 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

Summary for Baqsimi

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 for Baqsimi

  • Severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in adults and children age 4 years and older with diabetes

Pros and Cons for Baqsimi

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 for Baqsimi

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 for Baqsimi

  • High blood pressure in people with pheochromocytoma
  • Low blood sugar in people with insulinoma
  • Baqsimi (glucagon) not working well
  • Severe allergic reactions

Prices with our coupons for N/a vs. Baqsimi

Price Card Drug Icon
Pioglitazone/Glimepiride30 tablets / 30mg/4mg
$109.28$416.73
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Price Card Drug Icon
Baqsimi1 carton / 1 intranasal device of 3mg
$296.95$372.68
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