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Compare Semglee vs. Ozempic

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

Key takeaways

Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they belong to different medication classes. Semglee is a long-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels by mimicking the natural hormone insulin, while Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works by increasing insulin release, reducing sugar production in the liver, and slowing digestion. Semglee is injected once daily, whereas Ozempic is injected once a week. Semglee is available as a vial or prefilled pen, while Ozempic comes as a prefilled pen only. Common side effects of Semglee include headaches, upper respiratory infections, and swelling at the injection site, while Ozempic may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Both medications can lead to low blood sugar, especially when taken with other diabetes medications, but Ozempic also carries a risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Semglee is a biosimilar to Lantus and it can be substituted for Lantus without needing approval from your prescriber, while Ozempic is not interchangeable with other semaglutide products like Wegovy or Rybelsus.

Semglee (insulin glargine)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Semglee (insulin glargine)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Summary of Semglee vs. Ozempic
Summary for Insulin
Prescription only
Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn or insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin. It's used to manage blood sugar levels in adults and children with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Semglee (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin, typically once daily. Your care team will determine your dose of Semglee (insulin glargine) based on different factors, such as your diet and blood sugar levels. Semglee (insulin glargine) comes as a vial and a prefilled insulin pen. Some side effects of this medication include redness and swelling at the injection site, and upper respiratory tract infections. <br> Semglee (insulin glargine) is an interchangeable biosimilar alternative to Lantus (insulin glargine).
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 Semglee vs. Ozempic
Indications for

•Type 1 diabetes (T1D)

•Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

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 Semglee vs. Ozempic
Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros

•Can control your blood sugar levels for about 24 hours

•Can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days

•Available in 2 dosage forms: insulin pen and vial

•Can be substituted for Lantus (insulin glargine)

Cons

•Given as an injection

•Raises risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels

•Might cause weight gain

•Can't be mixed with other insulins within the same syringe

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 Semglee vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for
Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 29%)

•Swelling in the hands or feet (20%)

•High blood pressure (20%)

•Flu, sinus infections, or bronchitis (up to 19%)

•Cataract (15%)

•Joint pain (14%)

•Pain in the hands and feet (13%)

•Back pain (13%)

•Cough (12%)

•Urinary tract infection (11%)

•Diarrhea (11%)

•Depression (11%)

•Headache (10%)

Note: People with T1D typically experienced less side effects than people with T2D, but are at higher risk for hypoglycemia.
Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (16-20%)

•Diarrhea (9%)

•Vomiting (5-9%)

•Stomach pain (6-7%)

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

•Risk of serious infections

•Risk of high and low blood sugar levels

•Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)

•Low blood potassium levels

•Swelling and heart failure

•Severe allergic reactions

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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Key takeaways

Summary of Semglee vs. Ozempic

Indications of Semglee vs. Ozempic

Pros and Cons of Semglee vs. Ozempic

Common Side Effects of Semglee vs. Ozempic

Warnings of Semglee vs. Ozempic

Prices with our coupons for Semglee vs. Ozempic

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