Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes and help lower the risk of heart problems in adults with this condition. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct characteristics. Jardiance is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor taken orally once a day, while Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. Both are available only as brand name medications. Common side effects of Jardiance include urinary tract infections and yeast infections, while Ozempic often causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Jardiance can lead to dehydration and low blood pressure, whereas Ozempic carries a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Both medications can cause low blood sugar when used with other diabetes treatments, but they have different mechanisms and dosing schedules, which may influence preferences for one over the other.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injection used with diet and exercise to help manage Type 2 diabetes in adults. It's also FDA approved to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in those with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In addition, it can reduce the risk of worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist that's injected under the skin once a week. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Indications of Jardiance vs. Ozempic
Indications for
•Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 years and older
•Lowering the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
•Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in adults with heart failure
•Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)