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Compare Jardiance vs. Ozempic

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.

Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Summary of Jardiance vs. Ozempic
Summary for SGLT2 inhibitor
Prescription only
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a medication that's used along with a nutritious diet and routine exercise to improve blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the chance of serious complications, hospitalization, and death in certain adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Jardiance (empagliflozin) belongs to the drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, and weight loss.
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). 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)

Indications for
Injection:

•Type 2 diabetes

•Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

•Lower the risk of worsening kidney problems and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Tablets:

•Type 2 diabetes

•Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events
Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Ozempic
Pros and Const for SGLT2 inhibitor
Pros

•Taken by mouth once a day

•Unlikely to cause weight gain

•Can take with other diabetes medications

Cons

•Raises risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital yeast infections

•Might make you urinate more

•Not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros

•Only given once per week

•Might help you lose weight

•Helps lower the risk of heart problems and kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes

•Available as an injection and an oral tablet

Cons

•Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

•Risk of low blood sugar if taken with certain diabetes medications

•Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes

•Interacts with medications taken by mouth
Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for

•Urinary tract infection (UTI; 8-9%)

•Vaginal yeast infection in females (5-6%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)

•High cholesterol or fat levels (3-4%)

•Urinating more than usual (3%)

Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (16-20%)

•Diarrhea (9%)

•Vomiting (5-9%)

•Stomach pain (6-7%)

•Constipation (3-5%)

Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection
Warnings of Jardiance vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for

•Ketoacidosis

•Low fluids in the body (leading to low blood pressure or dehydration)

•Genital and urinary tract infections

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used with certain other diabetes medications

•Leg and foot amputations

•Allergic reactions

Common Side Effects for

•Risk of thyroid tumors

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Eye problems

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications

•Kidney damage

•Severe stomach problems

•Severe allergic reactions

•Gallbladder problems

•Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation
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Compare Jardiance vs. Ozempic

Key takeaways

Summary of Jardiance vs. Ozempic

Indications of Jardiance vs. Ozempic

Pros and Cons of Jardiance vs. Ozempic

Common Side Effects of Jardiance vs. Ozempic

Warnings of Jardiance vs. Ozempic

Prices with our coupons for Jardiance vs. Ozempic

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