Ozempic vs. Jardiance: Comparing diabetes treatments, benefits, and risks

In this article:

• Key differences
• Conditions treated
• Cost and insurance coverage
• Side effects
• Interactions and warnings

In this article

• Key differences
• Conditions treated
• Cost and insurance coverage
• Side effects
• Interactions and warnings

Ozempic and Jardiance are prescribed to manage Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage blood sugar (glucose) levels. As brand-name medications, Ozempic and Jardiance may be more expensive than other drugs for diabetes.

Although both medications can help stabilize blood sugar levels, they differ in various ways, such as different mechanisms of action, dosage form, active ingredient, and potential side effects. Jardiance is a member of a class of medications known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors), which control day-to-day blood sugar by reducing the reabsorption of filtered glucose in the kidneys, resulting in increased urinary excretion of glucose and lowered blood sugar concentrations. Ozempic is a member of a new class of medication known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, and its sugar-reducing effect is due to a more direct impact on insulin secretion and slowed gastric emptying, resulting in the GLP-1 medications’ added bonus of weight loss. Jardiance may not be suitable for an individual who finds daily pill-taking overwhelming, and Ozempic may be a nice alternative due to its less frequent injection administration of once weekly. One drug may be prescribed over the other depending on individual needs, preferences, and overall health. 

Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between Ozempic and Jardiance. 

Is Jardiance better than Ozempic?

Both Ozempic and Jardiance are considered safe and effective for treating Type 2 diabetes, helping to control blood glucose levels. There are no randomized controlled clinical trials directly comparing Ozempic and Jardiance to yield a clear benefit of one drug class over the other. However, an oral version of the active ingredient in Ozempic (semaglutide) has been studied against the active ingredient in Jardiance (empagliflozin), which may provide insight into which drug may be more effective. This trial, published in 2019 by Diabetes Care compared oral semaglutide with empagliflozin for treating Type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by metformin, a common diabetes medication, alone. By week 26, patients on oral semaglutide experienced a significant drop in their HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar levels) by 1.3% versus a 0.9% reduction in those on empagliflozin. 

RELATED: Jardiance vs. Metformin

In addition to potentially better blood glucose control, Ozempic is likely to cause more weight loss than Jardiance. In the same trial, those on oral semaglutide lost an average of 4.7 kg (approximately 10 lbs) versus 3.8 kg (approximately 8 lbs) with empagliflozin from baseline to week 52 in weight. 

An advantage of both medications is that they have been shown to carry clear benefits beyond glucose control in those with Type 2 diabetes, particularly as it relates to the prevention of major adverse cardiac events and chronic kidney disease. However, there is no head-to-head comparison. Jardiance has demonstrated a significant reduction in risk of cardiovascular death by approximately 38% when compared to placebo in patients with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Jardiance has also demonstrated reduced risk of the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death or rate of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with congestive heart failure, and slowed decline in kidney function. Similar benefits have been supported by clinical trials with Ozempic on both cardiovascular outcomes and delayed progression of kidney disease, although the consistency and robustness of these findings are more favorable with Jardiance. 

It’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the better choice based on your overall condition and medical history. A healthcare provider will look at different factors, such as other medical conditions, other medications you’re taking, and potential side effects, before recommending a treatment option. 

Ozempic vs. Jardiance: Insurance coverage and cost comparison

Both diabetes drugs should be available at any typical pharmacy. Cost can also be a concern for many people when looking for the right diabetes medication. Both Ozempic and Jardiance are only available as brand-name medications at this time. There are no lower-cost generic alternatives for either of these drugs. 

Most Medicare and insurance plans cover these medications when prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes. However, without insurance coverage, the retail or cash price of these medications may be high for some people. The average retail price of one, 2 mg/3 mL Ozempic pen is around $1,392, while the cash price of Jardiance 30 tablets, 25 mg is around $530. 

RELATED: Does Medicaid cover Jardiance? | Jardiance copay assistance

You can save on the cash price of these medications through savings options, such as the SingleCare prescription discount card. This discount card can be used to save up to 80% on brand-name and generic medications. 

Ozempic vs. Jardiance side effects

As with other prescription medications, Ozempic and Jardiance are associated with potential side effects. The most common side effects of Ozempic are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain–some of these side effects are reported in more than 10% of recipients. Many of these side effects are a direct result of its mechanism of action, and patients are not advised to initiate on a high dose of Ozempic; instead, they should only progress to an increased dose when tolerance is demonstrated. Given the nature of its route of administration, Ozempic may also cause some minor injection site reactions. Jardiance’s side effects include urinary tract infections and vaginal yeast infections. The frequency of these side effects is fairly low, reported in less than 10% of recipients. 

Serious side effects are possible with either drug, including serious allergic reactions and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience hives, dizziness, or swelling of the face or throat. 

Ozempic and Jardiance drug interactions and warnings

Ozempic and Jardiance can interact with similar classes of drugs. They can both interact with insulin and medications that increase insulin release, such as sulfonylureas. Taking Ozempic or Jardiance with insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Because Ozempic slows the emptying of the stomach, it may affect the absorption of oral medications. Therefore, it’s recommended to use caution when using Ozempic alongside medications taken by mouth. A healthcare provider may recommend taking Ozempic at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any oral medications.

Unlike Ozempic, Jardiance may interact with diuretics, also known as water pills. Because Jardiance and diuretics can increase urination, taking these medications together may lead to low fluid levels in the body, leading to dehydration and potential kidney problems. 

In addition, Jardiance may interact with lithium, a mood stabilizer used to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Combining Jardiance and lithium may decrease lithium levels, potentially reducing its effectiveness. 

In addition to potential drug interactions, Ozempic and Jardiance come with potential risks for serious adverse effects. Ozempic, in particular, carries a boxed warning (also called a black box warning) for an increased risk of thyroid cancer. This risk is increased in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Other potentially serious side effects of Ozempic include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), eye problems (diabetic retinopathy), acute kidney injury, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, and severe allergic reactions.

The use of Jardiance may increase the risk of a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, especially in those with Type 1 diabetes or who are at risk for ketoacidosis. Before starting Jardiance, hydration levels and kidney function may need to be checked, especially in older adults or those with kidney issues. The medication may also increase the risk of urinary tract infections, hypoglycemia, severe bacterial infection of the genital area, and fungal infections. 

Ozempic and Jardiance are not recommended during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects. These medications may also pass into breast milk, which could affect a breastfeeding child, and should generally be avoided unless under the advice of a medical professional.

Ozempic and Jardiance are effective therapies in the management of Type 2 diabetes, but selection of one agent over another requires consideration of a number of factors like concomitant medical conditions, other medications currently prescribed, and risk for the development of serious side effects. Only a medical professional well-informed of your medical history can recommend which medication may work best for you.