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Compare Novolog vs. Ozempic

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

Key takeaways

NovoLog (insulin aspart) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to manage diabetes, but they belong to different drug classes and have distinct uses. NovoLog is a fast-acting insulin used to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes by helping your body absorb sugar from the bloodstream. It is typically injected one or more times a day before meals. On the other hand, Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used for Type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is injected once a week. NovoLog is available in vials and prefilled pens, while Ozempic comes as a prefilled pen. Common side effects of NovoLog include low blood sugar and headaches, whereas Ozempic may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. NovoLog can lead to weight gain, while Ozempic might cause weight loss. Both medications require careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, and they have different storage requirements and dosing schedules.

Novolog (insulin aspart)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Novolog (insulin aspart)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Summary of Novolog vs. Ozempic
Summary for Insulin
Prescription only
NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar into your body so it can be used for energy. NovoLog (insulin aspart) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. It's typically injected under the skin at mealtimes, but it can also be given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider for people in the hospital. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injection used with diet and exercise to help manage Type 2 diabetes in adults. It's also FDA approved to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in those with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In addition, it can reduce the risk of worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist that's injected under the skin once a week. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Indications of Novolog vs. Ozempic
Indications for

•Type 1 diabetes in adults and children

•Type 2 diabetes in adults

Indications for

•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)
Pros and Cons of Novolog vs. Ozempic
Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros

•Starts to work within 10 minutes to lower blood sugar levels

•Dose can be easily adjusted to make treatment tailored to your specific needs

•Can use if you have liver or kidney problems

•Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use

Cons

•Given multiple times per day (before each meal)

•Must give as an injection

•Might be hard for some people to inject properly

•Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain

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

•Can store open and used pens at room temperature for up to 8 weeks

Cons

•Is an injection given under the skin

•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
Common Side Effects of Novolog vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for
Type 1 diabetes:

•Severely low blood sugar (17%)

•Headache (12%)

•Accidental injury (11%)

•Nausea (7%)

•Diarrhea (5%)

Type 2 diabetes:

•Muscles slow to react (11%)

•Severely low blood sugar (10%)

•Fungal nail infection (10%)

•Impairment of your senses (9%)

•Urinary tract infection (8%)

•Sinus infection (5%)

•Chest pain (5%)

•Stomach pain (5%)

•Headache (5%)

•Skin problems (5%)

Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (16-20%)

•Diarrhea (9%)

•Vomiting (5-9%)

•Stomach pain (6-7%)

•Constipation (3-5%)
Warnings of Novolog vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for

•Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

•Low blood potassium levels

•Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications

•Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

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 Novolog vs. Ozempic

Key takeaways

Summary of Novolog vs. Ozempic

Indications of Novolog vs. Ozempic

Pros and Cons of Novolog vs. Ozempic

Common Side Effects of Novolog vs. Ozempic

Warnings of Novolog vs. Ozempic

Prices with our coupons for Novolog vs. Ozempic

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