Key takeaways
Metformin (Glucophage) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both prescription medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they work in different ways and have different forms of administration. Metformin is an oral medication that helps lower blood sugar by reducing the amount of sugar your body makes or absorbs. It’s usually taken once or twice daily with food to minimize stomach side effects like diarrhea and nausea. On the other hand, Victoza is a GLP-1 agonist that is injected once daily and works by telling your body to release more insulin, stopping the release of more sugar, and slowing down digestion. While both medications can help lower blood sugar levels, Victoza also has the added benefit of potentially reducing the risk of major heart-related problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Victoza can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and injection site reactions, while metformin can cause diarrhea and nausea. While metformin is safe for use during pregnancy, Victoza should be avoided.
