Are you a healthcare professional? Join GoodRx for HCPs

Compare Victoza vs. Ozempic

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

Key takeaways

Victoza (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both GLP-1 receptor agonists used to treat Type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of heart-related problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, they have some differences. Victoza is injected once daily, while Ozempic is injected once a week, so Ozempic may be more convenient for some people. Victoza is approved for use in people aged 10 and older, whereas Ozempic is only for adults. Both medications can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but Ozempic may also lead to "Ozempic face," a term for facial changes due to weight loss. Additionally, while neither is FDA-approved for weight loss, both can lead to weight loss as a side effect. Both come as prefilled pens, but you'll need to buy needles separately with Victoza, whereas Ozempic comes with needles. Both medications have similar warnings, such as the risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. Ozempic may also cause eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy.

Victoza (liraglutide)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Victoza (liraglutide)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Summary of Victoza vs. Ozempic
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Victoza (liraglutide) is a medication that's injected once a day. It helps lower blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes when used with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. It can also help lower the risk of heart-related problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Victoza (liraglutide) belongs to the drug class called GLP-1 agonists. The medication comes as single-dose prefilled pens and is injected under the skin. It can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Victoza (liraglutide) is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Indications of Victoza vs. Ozempic
Indications for

•Type 2 diabetes in people age 10 and older, together with a balanced diet and exercise

•Lowering the risk of serious heart-related problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

Indications for
Injection:

•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)

Tablets:

•Type 2 diabetes

•Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events
Pros and Cons of Victoza vs. Ozempic
Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros

•Lowers A1C by up to 1% over a year

•Can take with or without food at any time of day

•Available as an injectable pen

Cons

•Must inject once a day

•Might have uncomfortable side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, and headache

•Can slow down gut movement, which can affect how other medications get absorbed into the body

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

•Available as an injection and an oral tablet

Cons

•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

•Interacts with medications taken by mouth
Common Side Effects of Victoza vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (up to 20%)

•Diarrhea (up to 12%)

•Headache (up to 11%)

•Common cold symptoms (up to 10%)

•Lower appetite (up to 10%)

•Vomiting (up to 9%)

•Indigestion (up to 7%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 7%)

•Constipation (5%)

Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (16-20%)

•Diarrhea (9%)

•Vomiting (5-9%)

•Stomach pain (6-7%)

•Constipation (3-5%)

Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection
Warnings of Victoza vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for

•Possible risk of thyroid cancer

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

•Kidney damage

•Allergic reactions

•Gallbladder problems

•Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation

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
Prices with our coupons for Victoza vs. Ozempic
Learn more about Victoza
Learn more about Ozempic

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.

Compare Victoza vs. Ozempic

Key takeaways

Summary of Victoza vs. Ozempic

Indications of Victoza vs. Ozempic

Pros and Cons of Victoza vs. Ozempic

Common Side Effects of Victoza vs. Ozempic

Warnings of Victoza vs. Ozempic

Prices with our coupons for Victoza vs. Ozempic

Compare other Diabetes Type 2 and Management with Incretin-based Therapies drugs

Browse medications

Good news for your inbox