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Compare Levemir vs. Ozempic

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

  • Levemir (insulin detemir)
    Ozempic (semaglutide)
  • Levemir (insulin detemir)
    Ozempic (semaglutide)

  • Summary of Levemir vs. Ozempic

    Summary for Insulin
    Prescription only

    Levemir (insulin detemir) is a long-acting insulin that helps control high blood sugar levels in children and adults. It's injected under the skin, typically once or twice daily. Like all insulins, Levemir (insulin detemir) can raise your risk for low blood sugar, so make sure to keep fast-acting sugars with you in case your blood sugar level drops too low. This medication comes in vials. But it's also available as a Flexpen for people who have trouble drawing up insulin from the vial.

    Summary for GLP-1 agonist
    Prescription only

    Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injection that's used along with a nutritious diet and exercise to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It's also proven to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Ozempic (semaglutide) belongs to the drug class known as GLP-1 agonists. The dosing is convenient because it's only injected under the skin once per week. Common side effects of this medication include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

  • Indications of Levemir vs. Ozempic

    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    •Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

  • Pros and Cons of Levemir vs. Ozempic

    Pros and Const for Insulin
    Pros
    •Lower risk of weight gain compared to some other types of insulin
    •Doses can be adjusted to meet your body's needs
    •Insulin pens available for people who've trouble using insulin vials
    •Provides blood sugar control for up to 24 hours
    Cons
    •Must be injected
    •Might need to inject it twice daily
    •Can cause low blood sugar
    •No generic option available
    Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
    Pros
    •Only given once per week
    •Available as prefilled pens for injection
    •Can switch injection days as long as the doses are separated by at least 2 days
    •Can store open and used pens at room temperature for up to 8 weeks
    Cons
    •Must be given as an injection under the skin
    •Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    •Risk of low blood sugar if it's taken with certain other diabetes medications (e.g., sulfonylureas, insulins)
    •Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes

  • Common Side Effects of Levemir vs. Ozempic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Shakiness, hunger, and other symptoms of low blood sugar (up to 93%, depending on what other blood sugar medications you're taking)
    •Common cold involving the nose, throat, and lungs (up to 27%)
    •Headache (up to 23%)
    •Pain or irritation of the throat (10%)
    •Back pain (8%)
    •Fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms (up to 8%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)

    Please note: These side effects were reported by people who took Levemir (insulin detemir) for type 1 diabetes. Your risk for side effects might be different if you have type 2 diabetes.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (16-20%)
    •Diarrhea (9%)
    •Vomiting (5-9%)
    •Stomach pain (6-7%)
    •Constipation (3-5%)

  • Warnings of Levemir vs. Ozempic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Infections
    •Low blood sugar
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling from fluids and risk of heart failure
    Common Side Effects for
    •Thyroid cancer
    •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    •Eye problems
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain other diabetes medications
    •Dehydration and kidney problems
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Gallbladder problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Levemir vs. Ozempic

    Learn more about Levemir
    Learn more about Ozempic

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