Key takeaways
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Tresiba (insulin degludec) are both injectable medications used to manage diabetes, but they work differently and have different uses. Ozempic is a GLP-1 agonist that helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin release, reducing sugar production in the liver, and slowing digestion. It is used for Type 2 diabetes and also helps lower the risk of heart problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Insulin degludec, on the other hand, is a long-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is injected once a week, while insulin degludec is injected once daily. Ozempic can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, whereas insulin degludec can cause low blood sugar, weight gain, and injection site reactions. Additionally, Ozempic is available only as a brand-name medication, while insulin degludec is available as a lower-cost generic.
