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Is Ozempic insulin?

Ozempic is not insulin and it cannot replace insulin. Learn how to use Ozempic and other Type 2 diabetes medications.
Keith Gardner, RPh, medical writer and reviewer for SingleCare
By | Updated on Jun. 10, 2025 Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Rx injectable syringe: Is Ozempic insulin?

Key takeaways

  • Ozempic (semaglutide) and insulin are both treatments for Type 2 diabetes. But Ozempic is not the same as insulin.

  • Only insulin is used to treat Type 1 diabetes. Ozempic is not a treatment for Type 1 diabetes.

  • People with Type 2 diabetes may be prescribed Ozempic or insulin to lower blood sugar. They may be used alone, or used cautiously together.

In this article:

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a non-insulin medication for people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Made by Novo Nordisk, Ozempic is an injectable drug in a class of medicines known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Other GLP-1 agonist drugs include Trulicity (dulaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Byetta (exenatide), and Bydureon (exenatide ER). An oral GLP-1 agonist, Rybelsus (semaglutide), is also available. 

RELATED: Is Trulicity insulin? | Ozempic alternatives

How Ozempic works

Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with Type 2 diabetes to improve blood glucose levels, together with a healthy diet and exercise. Ozempic lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas. It also blocks glucagon, a hormone that causes the liver to release sugar and slows down food absorption in the stomach. 

Although Ozempic is not approved by the FDA for weight loss, many people lose weight when initiating therapy because they feel less hungry and eat less. Semaglutide, under the brand name Wegovy, is approved as an adjunct for weight loss along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Ozempic is not a treatment for Type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. 

RELATED: Who can take Ozempic for weight loss?

Is Ozempic insulin?

Although Ozempic is an injectable drug, as are most insulin products, it is not the same as insulin. Manufactured insulin products come in short-, intermediate-, or long-acting formulas. They are used in different combinations to enhance or replace the insulin that is naturally produced by the pancreas.

Ozempic vs. insulin

Unlike insulins, which are used to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists are a class of drugs only used to manage Type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the intestine that helps with blood sugar control. GLP-1 agonists help enhance the effects of this naturally occurring hormone by: 

  • Increasing insulin secretion by the pancreas
  • Decreasing glucagon secretion from the pancreas
  • Slowing gastric emptying

GLP-1 agonists’ main effect is to lower blood glucose levels immediately following a meal. Because Ozempic works only when a person eats, it is less likely to cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) when taken alone. However, low blood sugar may occur if Ozempic is used together with insulin or other diabetes medications.

Dosages

Ozempic and insulin are dosed differently. Insulin must be injected at least once daily and, in some cases, up to three or four times daily. Ozempic is a long-acting diabetes medication and a dose of Ozempic is administered just once weekly. In the case of a missed dose, you can refer to the drug’s medication guide and reach out to your prescribing doctor if you have further questions as to when to take your next dose. 

Side effects

Ozempic and insulin share some of the same safety concerns. Because both are injected just under the skin, people may experience injection site reactions such as pain, irritation, or redness from both the Ozempic pen and the insulin pen or syringe. Both Ozempic and insulin may result in low blood glucose levels, or hypoglycemia, characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Fast heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Confusion 
  • Feeling nervous or anxious
  • Sweating and chills
  • Hunger
  • Irritability

Because Ozempic and insulin work differently in the body to help provide glycemic control, they have different safety and side effect profiles. The use of insulin may result in weight gain, whereas the use of Ozempic typically results in weight loss. Other common side effects of Ozempic may include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Constipation

More serious side effects of Ozempic may include:

  • Allergic reactions 
  • Thyroid cancer, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
  • Thyroid tumors
  • Inflammation of the pancreas or gallbladder
  • Diabetic retinopathy complications
  • Acute kidney disease or worsening of kidney disease

All GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic, carry a “boxed warning,” also called a black box warning, regarding the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Ozempic is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

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Does Ozempic replace insulin?

Ozempic and insulin are both injectable diabetes drugs. However, Ozempic does not replace insulin for people whose pancreas does not produce insulin, such as in Type 1 diabetes. While insulin may be used to treat either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic should only be used by persons with Type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is designed to respond to the rise in glucose that happens after meals. Ozempic works with the body’s own ability to lower blood sugar and, as a result, can help lower a person’s A1c. 

The best treatment depends on the specific needs of the person with Type 2 diabetes. In head-to-head studies comparing the addition of insulin or semaglutide to an oral diabetes drug, better glucose control was seen with the semaglutide. The added benefits of semaglutide included more weight loss and less hypoglycemia.

Can you take Ozempic and insulin together?

Ozempic and insulin may be used together if that is the best treatment regimen for your specific needs. Always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider to find out about possible drug interactions with prescription drugs, supplements, or over-the-counter medications. If Ozempic and insulin are prescribed together:

  • Ozempic and insulin should not be mixed in the same syringe prior to injection.
  • An injection of Ozempic and insulin may be made in the same body area (e.g., the upper arm or stomach area), but the injections should not be made right next to each other.
  • When adding Ozempic treatment in people with Type 2 diabetes already using insulin, the dose of insulin may need to be lowered to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

RELATED: When is the best time to inject Ozempic?

Which medications are taken with Ozempic?

According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 2 diabetes is often a progressive disease that requires combination therapy. In people with Type 2 diabetes who also have medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, or heart disease, a GLP-1 agonist with demonstrated cardiovascular disease benefit, such as Ozempic, may be used alone or in combination with insulin or oral metformin. 

RELATED: How to save money on Ozempic

If costs are a concern when it comes to choosing which medications are right for you, using a SingleCare prescription discount card can create a savings of up to 80% off on Ozempic and many other prescription drugs at your local pharmacy.

What medications should not be taken with Ozempic?

While there are no medications that can absolutely not be taken together with Ozempic, there are some that require caution. Medications that may need to be stopped or have the dose changed while taking Ozempic include: 

  • Insulin
  • Oral sulfonylureas, such as glipizide
  • Quinolone antibiotics
  • SSRI antidepressants
  • Thyroid replacement medication
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you take before starting Ozempic.