Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Glucotrol vs. Victoza

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

Key takeaways

Glipizide (Glucotrol XL) and Victoza (liraglutide) are used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Both medications work to help lower your blood sugar, but they have several differences between them. Glipizide is a usually taken once or twice a day, and works by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. In contrast, Victoza is injected once daily and helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin release, stopping the body from releasing more sugar, and slowing down digestion. Glipizide can cause side effects like dizziness and diarrhea and may lead to dangerously low blood sugar if not taken with meals. Victoza can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it also carries a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Additionally, Glipizide is available as a lower-cost generic medication, while Victoza does not have a generic form.

  • Glipizide
    Victoza (liraglutide)
  • Glipizide
    Victoza (liraglutide)

  • Summary of Glucotrol vs. Victoza

    Summary for Sulfonylurea
    Prescription only

    Glipizide is a sulfonylurea medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It lowers blood sugar levels by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. Glipizide is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. Some side effects of this medication include dizziness and diarrhea. Taking glipizide can also put you at risk for dangerously low blood sugar, so it's important to take this medication with meals.

    Summary for GLP-1 agonist
    Prescription only

    Victoza (liraglutide) is a medication that's injected once a day. It helps lower blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes when used with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. It can also help lower the risk of heart-related problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Victoza (liraglutide) belongs to the drug class called GLP-1 agonists. The medication comes as single-dose prefilled pens and is injected under the skin. It can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Victoza (liraglutide) is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

  • Indications of Glucotrol vs. Victoza

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes in people age 10 and older, together with a balanced diet and exercise
    •Lowering the risk of serious heart-related problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

  • Pros and Cons of Glucotrol vs. Victoza

    Pros and Const for Sulfonylurea
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Extended-release tablets taken once daily
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Raises your risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
    •Need to take with meals or 30 minutes before a meal
    •Can cause some weight gain as a side effect
    Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
    Pros
    •Lowers A1C by up to 1% over a year
    •Can take with or without food at any time of day
    •Available as an injectable pen
    Cons
    •Must inject once a day
    •Might have uncomfortable side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, and headache
    •Can slow down gut movement, which can affect how other medications get absorbed into the body

  • Common Side Effects of Glucotrol vs. Victoza

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (7%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Nervousness (4%)
    •Tremor (4%)
    •Passing gas (3%)
    •Low blood sugar levels (3%)

    Note: Side effects were reported by people who took glipizide ER (Glucotrol XL) in clinical studies.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (up to 20%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 12%)
    •Headache (up to 11%)
    •Common cold symptoms (up to 10%)
    •Lower appetite (up to 10%)
    •Vomiting (up to 9%)
    •Indigestion (up to 7%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 7%)
    •Constipation (5%)

  • Warnings of Glucotrol vs. Victoza

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar levels
    •Risk of low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems
    •Risk of harm in people with certain stomach problems (extended-release tablets)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible risk of thyroid cancer
    •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Kidney damage
    •Allergic reactions
    •Gallbladder problems
    •Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation

  • Prices with our coupons for Glucotrol vs. Victoza

    Learn more about Glipizide
    Learn more about Victoza

Compare other Diabetes Type 2 drugs

Farxiga vs GlucotrolGlucotrol vs ActosGlucotrol vs AfrezzaGlucotrol vs AmarylGlucotrol vs ByettaGlucotrol vs GlucovanceGlucotrol vs JanumetGlucotrol vs VictozaJanuvia vs GlucotrolJardiance vs GlucotrolNesina vs GlucotrolToujeo vs GlucotrolTradjenta vs GlucotrolByetta vs OzempicGlyburide vs ByettaJanuvia vs ByettaLantus vs ToujeoLevemir vs ToujeoMetaglip vs ByettaNesina vs ByettaToujeo vs ActosToujeo vs ApidraToujeo vs GlyburideToujeo vs HumalogToujeo vs Human InsulinToujeo vs JanumetToujeo vs JanuviaToujeo vs MetforminToujeo vs NovologTresiba vs Toujeo
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.