Key takeaways
Lantus (insulin glargine) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to manage diabetes, but they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses. Lantus is a long-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes by providing a steady release of insulin throughout the day. It's typically injected once daily. On the other hand, Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that not only helps manage Type 2 diabetes but also lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It's injected once a week. While Lantus is available as a vial and prefilled pen, Ozempic comes only as a prefilled pen. Common side effects of Lantus include redness at the injection site and upper respiratory infections, whereas Ozempic often causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Both medications can interact with alcohol, but Ozempic also has specific warnings about thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Lantus is available as a generic medication, while Ozempic is not.
