Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition, which causes an increase in blood sugar levels. Insulin is a naturally synthesized hormone responsible for the metabolism of sugar from the blood. In people with diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot utilize insulin effectively.
There are two types of diabetes:
- Type 1: This type of diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Destruction of these cells results in no insulin production.
- Type 2: This type of diabetes is known as insulin resistance diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot utilize insulin effectively, thus leading to high blood sugar levels.
Several factors are responsible for causing diabetes, such as:
- Being overweight (obesity)
- Family history
- Autoantibodies
- Lack of physical activity
- Age
- Pregnancy
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Ozempic and metformin are medications prescribed for diabetes management. They can be prescribed alone, combined with other medications, or combined with each other for diabetes treatment. This article will look at various aspects such as effectiveness, how they work, benefits, side effects, price differences, results, and ease of use.
Ozempic vs. metformin effectiveness compared
Ozempic and metformin are both effective for treating patients with type 2 diabetes. The two medications generally reduce blood sugar levels by similar amounts. Both of these medications work best when used together with diet and exercise. Ozempic and metformin are not used to treat type 1 patients.
Metformin is usually considered a first-line choice when you are first diagnosed with diabetes. It works well and has a long history of use over several decades.
Ozempic has additional benefits in preventing heart attack or stroke, so it is particularly recommended for treatment of type-2 diabetes in people who have the following conditions:
- Heart failure
- Cardiovascular disease
- People who are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- Kidney disorders
How do Ozempic and metformin work?
Ozempic belongs to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist, a class of antidiabetic medication that regulates, maintains, and improves blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. This class of drugs mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 (a natural chemical). Ozempic can cause an increase in the secretion of insulin when blood glucose level rises, thus controlling diabetes.
Metformin belongs to the biguanides class of drugs. Metformin helps to reduce or control the amount of sugar in your blood. It reduces the amount of glucose absorption from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. It also amplifies your body’s response to insulin.
Ozempic and metformin can be used alone, combined with other antidiabetic medications, or as a combined regime to reduce blood sugar levels.
Benefits of Ozempic and metformin
Ozempic and metformin are prescription medications used in adults with type 2 diabetes and exercise and diet to manage blood glucose levels. Ozempic and metformin are not approved to treat type-1 diabetes.
Ozempic may be particularly helpful for patients who have cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and who are at a higher risk of heart disease, such as:
- Smoking
- Older age
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
Off-label use of metformin includes treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes type 3c, female infertility, and insulin resistance syndrome.
Side effects of Ozempic and metformin
Some of the common side effects of metformin include:
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Nail changes
- Muscle pain
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth
- Heartburn
- Flushing of the skin
- Constipation
If the above side effects are severe or persistent, you should inform your doctor immediately.
Some of the side effects can be serious, and you should inform your physician immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- Rash
- Chest pain
Some of the common side effects of Ozempic include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Burping
Some of the side effects can be serious, and you should inform your physician immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- Vision changes
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rash
- Swelling of face, tongue, eyes, face, or throat
- Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
- Decreased urination
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Symptoms include fever, severe upper abdominal pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, severe nausea.
The above list is not comprehensive. Ozempic and metformin may cause other side effects. Call your physician if you experience any unusual problems while on this medication.
Ozempic has a boxed warning. It has been shown to cause thyroid cancer and thyroid tumors in animal studies. If you have a family history or personal history of thyroid cancer, you should inform your physician before starting treatment.
What do reviews have to say for both Ozempic and metformin?
Metformin's average rating was found to be 6.9 out of 10 from 595 ratings. 57% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 18% reported a negative effect.
Ozempic average rating was 5.9 out of 10 from 543 ratings. 44% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 34% reported a negative effect.
Ease of use of Ozempic and metformin
Metformin needs to be taken once or twice daily, with or without food, or as advised by your physician. Ozempic comes as an injection to be taken once a week. So, the ease depends on your preference. If you prefer tablets, metformin is the ideal choice. If you are okay with injections and don’t want the headache of taking medicine daily, Ozempic may work the best for you.
Price comparison of Ozempic and metformin
Ozempic's average annual cost comes to approximately $2544, and metformin's average annual cost comes to a maximum of $130.
