Ozempic vs. Bydureon

Ozempic (semaglutide) and Bydureon (exenatide) are glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists indicated as adjuncts to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Side effects of Ozempic and Bydureon that are similar include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Side effects of Ozempic that are different from Bydureon include abdominal pain.

Side effects of Bydureon that are different from Ozempic include headache, itching and a small bump (nodule) at the injection site, and indigestion.

Both Ozempic and Bydureon may interact with insulin secretagogues or insulin, and other oral medications taken at the same time.

Bydureon may also interact with warfarin.

Common side effects of Ozempic include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• abdominal pain and constipation.

Common side effects of Bydureon include:

• nausea (especially when you first start using Bydureon),
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• itching at the injection site,
• a small bump (nodule) at the injection site, and
• indigestion.

Serious side effects of Bydureon include:

• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), hoarse voice, trouble swallowing or breathing;
• swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, diarrhea;
• dull pain in your middle or lower back;
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back; or
• low blood sugar (headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery).

Ozempic (semaglutide) Injection is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Bydureon (exenatide) is an incretin mimetic, which improves blood sugar control by mimicking the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ozempic may interact with an insulin secretagogue or insulin, and other oral medications taken at the same time. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Ozempic; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if Ozempic passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Bydureon may interact with chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolazamide, tolbutamide, levothyroxine, lithium, lovastatin, pimozide, cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, theophylline, blood thinners, ergot medicines, seizure medications, or heart or blood pressure medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Bydureon; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Bydureon passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Bydureon is not recommended.

The initial dose of Ozempic is 0.25mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, increase the dose to 0.5 mg once weekly. If after at least 4 weeks additional glycemic control is needed, increase to 1mg once weekly.

Bydureon (2 mg per dose) should be administered once every 7 days (weekly). The dose can be administered at any time of day, with or without meals.