Key takeaways
Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and semaglutide (Ozempic) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes and help lower the risk of heart problems in adults with heart disease. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct characteristics. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor taken orally once a day, while semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once a week. Dapagliflozin is available in both brand-name and generic forms, whereas semaglutide is only available as a brand-name medication. Common side effects of dapagliflozin include urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and increased urination, while semaglutide can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dapagliflozin and semaglutide both have an increased risk of low blood sugar when combined with other diabetes medications.
