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Compare Jardiance vs. Victoza

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

Key takeaways

Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have different forms. Jardiance is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor taken as a pill once a day, while Victoza is a Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that you inject once a day. Jardiance helps lower blood sugar by making your body get rid of extra sugar through urine and also helps with heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Victoza, on the other hand, helps your body release more insulin, stops it from releasing too much sugar, and slows down digestion. Jardiance can cause urinary tract infections and yeast infections, while Victoza can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Jardiance is currently only available as a brand-name medication, with generics expected in 2025, whereas Victoza does not have a generic form. Both medications can help with weight loss, but neither is specifically approved for this purpose.

  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
    Victoza (liraglutide)
  • Jardiance (empagliflozin)
    Victoza (liraglutide)

  • Summary of Jardiance vs. Victoza

    Summary for SGLT2 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name 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

    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 Jardiance vs. Victoza

    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
    •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 Jardiance vs. Victoza

    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
    •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 Jardiance vs. Victoza

    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 (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 Jardiance vs. Victoza

    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
    •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 Jardiance vs. Victoza

    Learn more about Jardiance
    Learn more about Victoza

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