Ozempic vs. Tresiba

Ozempic (semaglutide) Injection and Tresiba (insulin degludec injection) are used to treat diabetes.

Ozempic is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not indicated for use in treating type 1 diabetes.

Tresiba is used to treat both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic and Tresiba are different types of diabetes medications. Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and Tresiba is a long-acting human insulin analog.

Side effects of Ozempic and Tresiba that are similar include diarrhea and stomach/abdominal upset or pain.

Side effects of Ozempic that are different from Tresiba include nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Side effects of Tresiba that are different from Ozempic include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), allergic reactions, injection site reactions, body fat redistribution (lipodystrophy), itching, rash, swelling, weight gain, runny or stuffy nose, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, or sinusitis.

Both Ozempic and Tresiba may interact with insulin secretagogues or insulin.

Ozempic may also interact with other oral medications taken at the same time.

Tresiba may also interact with beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, reserpine, other antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, propoxyphene, salicylates, somatostatin analogs, sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DDP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens, protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents, thyroid hormones, alcohol, lithium salts, or pentamidine.

Common side effects of Ozempic include:

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

Common side effects of Tresiba include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
• allergic reactions,
• injection site reactions,
• body fat redistribution (lipodystrophy),
• itching,
• rash,
• swelling,
• weight gain,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• headache,
• sinusitis,
• upset stomach or stomach pain, and
• diarrhea.

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.

Tresiba (insulin degludec injection) is a long-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with 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.

Tresiba may interact with other insulin products, beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, reserpine, other antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, propoxyphene, salicylates, somatostatin analogs, sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DDP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens, protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents, thyroid hormones, alcohol, lithium salts, or pentamidine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Tresiba. During pregnancy, Tresiba should only be taken if prescribed. It is unknown if Tresiba passes into breast milk. Women with diabetes who are nursing may require adjustments in insulin dose, meal plan, or both. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

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.

The dose of Tresiba is individualized based on type of diabetes, metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results, and glycemic control goal.