{"id":4326,"date":"2019-05-27T12:13:18","date_gmt":"2019-05-27T16:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3631"},"modified":"2025-10-17T11:07:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:07:06","slug":"ozempic-vs-victoza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ozempic-vs-victoza\/","title":{"rendered":"Ozempic vs. Victoza: Key differences, side effects, and cost comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have <\/span>Type 2 diabetes mellitus<\/span><\/a>, your endocrinologist or primary <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> may have mentioned using an injectable prescription drug to help control your <\/span>blood sugar<\/span>, or blood <\/span>glucose<\/span>. <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>semaglutide<\/span>) and <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>liraglutide<\/span>) are two <\/span>brand-name<\/span> drugs used along with diet and exercise to control <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> in people with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span>. Both <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> are made by <\/span>Novo Nordisk<\/span> and are approved by the U.S. <\/span>Food and Drug Administration<\/span> (<\/span>FDA<\/span>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> are injectable diabetes drugs but are not <\/span>insulin<\/span><\/a>. They are part of a class of drugs called <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1<\/span> agonists<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>GLP-1<\/span> agonists). <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> work by helping prevent the liver from making and releasing too much sugar, and helping the <\/span>pancreas<\/span> with insulin secretion in response to high <\/span>blood sugar<\/span>. They also delay gastric emptying, which helps control both appetite and postprandial (after a meal) <\/span>blood sugar levels<\/span>. They may aid <\/span>weight loss<\/span>, and may help to reduce <\/span>body weight<\/span>. <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> also help with <\/span>hemoglobin A1c<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>HbA1c<\/span>) reduction, which is a measure of <\/span>glucose<\/span> control over time. Although both medications are <\/span>GLP-1<\/span> agonists, they have some differences, which we will discuss below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> are both <\/span>brand-name<\/span> GLP-1<\/span> agonists that are available in prefilled pens. <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> contains the active ingredient <\/span>semaglutide<\/span>, and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> contains <\/span>liraglutide<\/span>. Both are injected subcutaneously, under the skin of the abdomen (stomach), upper arm, or thigh. <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> is injected once weekly, and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> is injected every day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Main differences between <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\nVictoza<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nGLP-1<\/span> agonist<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1<\/span> agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable as a brand-name medication\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAvailable as a brand-name and generic medication\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nSemaglutide<\/span><\/td>\nLiraglutide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nPrefilled injection pen<\/span><\/td>\nPrefilled injection pen<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nStarting dose: 0.25 mg SC<\/span>*<\/b> weekly. After 4 weeks, increase the dose to 0.5 mg SC weekly. If after 4 weeks, more control is needed, increase to 1 mg SC weekly. If after another 4 weeks, more control is needed, increase to 2 mg SC weekly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maximum dosage is 2 mg weekly<\/span><\/td>\n

Adults<\/b><\/p>\n

Starting dose: 0.6 mg SC daily for 1 week, then increase to 1.2 mg SC daily. If after one week, more control is needed, increase to 1.8 mg daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pediatric patients 10 years and older<\/b><\/p>\n

Starting dose: 0.6 mg SC daily for at least 1 week. If more control is needed, increase to 1.2 mg SC daily. If after at least 1 week of treatment with 1.2 mg daily, more control is needed, increase to 1.8 mg SC daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maximum dosage is 1.8 mg daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults 18 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 10 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*SC means <\/span><\/i>subcutaneous<\/span><\/i> injection, which is an injection under the skin.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span> can be used along with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to improve <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> control, also known as <\/span>glycemic control<\/span>, in people with <\/span>Type 2 <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a>. According to the prescribing information, <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> can be used in adults 18 years and older, and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> can be used in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span> can also be used to lower the risk of major <\/span>cardiovascular events<\/span>, such as cardiovascular death, <\/span>heart attack<\/span>, or stroke, in adults with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span> who also have <\/span>cardiovascular disease<\/span> (<\/span>heart disease<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/a> are also sometimes prescribed for <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> use, which means for non-FDA-approved use, for weight reduction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> are not indicated for the <\/span>treatment of <\/span>Type 1 diabetes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nVictoza<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Improve <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> control in people with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span> (along with diet and exercise)<\/span><\/td>\nYes (in adults 18 years and older)<\/span><\/td>\nYes (in adults and children 10 years and older)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lower the risk of <\/span>heart attack<\/span>, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults who have <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span> and <\/span>heart disease<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight loss<\/span> (in combination with diet and exercise)<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span> more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A study<\/span><\/a> comparing <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> concluded that <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> was better than <\/span>Victoza<\/span> in terms of lowering <\/span>HbA1C<\/span> and weight; however, people who took <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> had more stomach-related <\/span>side effects<\/span> than people who took <\/span>Victoza<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>2022 review of studies<\/span><\/a> compared Ozempic and Victoza in adults with obesity or overweight, but without diabetes. The researchers found that both drugs led to significant weight loss, with Ozempic showing higher success rates than Victoza. The medications were generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild to moderate, making them effective options for weight management in this population.<\/span><\/p>\n

A 2019 review of studies was published in <\/span>The <\/span><\/i>Lancet<\/span><\/i><\/a>. This study looked at <\/span>Ozempic<\/span>, <\/span>Victoza<\/span>, and other drugs in the <\/span>GLP-1<\/span> agonist class. The study found that all of the drugs lowered the risk of heart problems, kidney problems, and death.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>consensus report<\/span><\/a> by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes recommends a <\/span>GLP-1<\/span> agonist as an option for people with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span> who have <\/span>heart disease<\/span>. This recommendation is based on evidence that <\/span>GLP-1<\/span> agonists (or another <\/span>drug class<\/span> called <\/span>SGLT2 inhibitors<\/span><\/a>) improve cardiovascular outcomes as well as other outcomes such as kidney disease, in patients who have established heart or kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best drug for the patient, however, can only be determined by the <\/span>health care provider<\/span>, who can take into account the patient\u2019s complete medical history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> vs. <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> may be covered by health insurance or Medicare prescription plans, but the coverage and copay will vary based on the plan. Contact your insurance provider for up-to-date coverage information. Some insurance plans require prior authorization, meaning the healthcare provider must submit additional information to the insurance company to determine if the medication will be covered.<\/span><\/p>\n

A typical prescription of an <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> pen can cost around $1,317, but you can use a free <\/span>SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> to lower the price to about $788.<\/span><\/p>\n

A typical prescription of a <\/span>Victoza<\/span> pen can cost about $1,447 without insurance<\/a>, but a free SingleCare <\/span>coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower the price to approximately $258 for generic liraglutide.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Cost of Ozempic vs. Victoza<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\nVictoza<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries\u2014contact insurance provider for coverage information<\/span><\/td>\nVaries\u2014contact insurance provider for coverage information<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries\u2014contact insurance provider for coverage information<\/span><\/td>\nVaries\u2014contact insurance provider for coverage information<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n1 prefilled injection pen<\/span><\/td>\n1 prefilled injection pen<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare copay<\/b><\/td>\n$0-335<\/span><\/td>\n$11-938<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$788+ for Ozempic<\/span><\/td>\n$258+ for generic liraglutide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Common side effects<\/span> of <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> vs. <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most <\/span>common side effects<\/span> of <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> are <\/span>gastrointestinal<\/span> (stomach) problems such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or <\/span>constipation<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, the most <\/span>common potential side effects<\/span> of <\/span>Victoza<\/span> are also stomach-related and include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and diarrhea or <\/span>constipation<\/span>, among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With either drug, <\/span>injection site<\/span> reactions can occur. <\/span>Serious side effects, such as <\/span>hypoglycemia<\/span><\/a> (low <\/span>blood sugar<\/span>), can also occur. <\/span>Hypoglycemia<\/span> is more likely to occur when <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span> is used along with insulin or certain diabetes medications (such as glimepiride) for <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span>. <\/span>Allergic reactions<\/span> are rare, but are considered a medical emergency. Symptoms of hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling around the face, lips, tongue, or throat, require emergency medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

A summary of <\/span>common side effects<\/span> is listed in the table below. This is not a full list of <\/span>side effects<\/span>. Contact your doctor for a full list of <\/span>side effects<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\nVictoza<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side Effect<\/b><\/td>\nApplicable?<\/b><\/td>\nFrequency<\/b><\/td>\nApplicable?<\/b><\/td>\nFrequency<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nausea\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n15.8-20.3%*<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n18-20*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vomiting\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n5-9.2%*<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n6-9%*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diarrhea\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n8.5-8.8%*<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n10-12%*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stomach pain<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n5.7-7.3%*<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Constipation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n3.1-5%*<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n5%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indigestion\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n2.7-3.5%*<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4-7%*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hypoglycemia<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nVaries\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Headache\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Yes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n10-11%*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Common cold\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Yes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n9-10%*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Back pain\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Yes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4-5%*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*<\/span> depending on dosage<\/span><\/p>\n

Source: <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> (<\/span>DailyMed<\/span><\/a>), <\/span>Victoza<\/span> (<\/span>DailyMed<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Using <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span> with insulin or certain oral <\/span>diabetes medications<\/span> can increase the risk of low <\/span>blood sugar<\/span>. If you take this combination of medications, your prescriber may adjust the dosing of your insulin or oral medication. Also, because <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> delay stomach emptying, the absorption of other medications (that are taken by mouth) may be affected if taken at the same time. When the drugs were studied, these <\/span>drug interactions<\/span> did not occur to a clinically relevant degree. However, it is a good idea to consult your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> about the timing of your medications. Narrow therapeutic index drugs should especially be monitored. These include drugs with a small window between therapeutic effect and toxicity such as Coumadin (<\/span>warfarin<\/span><\/a>), Lanoxin (<\/span>digoxin<\/span><\/a>), and seizure medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before taking <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span>, review your medication list with a <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span>. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and natural products or dietary <\/span>supplements<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not a full list of <\/span>drug interactions<\/span>. Consult your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> for a full list of <\/span>drug interactions<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug<\/b><\/td>\nDrug Class<\/b><\/td>\nInteracts with Ozempic<\/b>?<\/b><\/td>\nInteracts with Victoza?<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Meglitinides (nateglinide,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

repaglinide)<\/span><\/p>\n

Sulfonylureas<\/span><\/p>\n

(glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide)<\/span><\/td>\n

Insulin secretagogues\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Basaglar<\/span><\/p>\n

Humalog<\/span><\/p>\n

Lantus<\/span><\/p>\n

Levemir<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolog<\/span><\/p>\n

Toujeo<\/span><\/p>\n

Tresiba<\/span><\/td>\n

Insulin\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oral medications<\/span><\/td>\nOral medications<\/span><\/td>\nPossible; consult healthcare provider<\/span><\/td>\nPossible; consult healthcare provider\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Warnings of <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because both medications are in the same <\/span>drug class<\/span>, warnings and precautions are mostly the same. You will receive a medication guide any time you fill a prescription for <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span>, which goes over <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> and warnings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a <\/span>boxed warning<\/span><\/a> for <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span>, which is the most serious warning required by the <\/span>FDA<\/span>. In animal studies, <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> and <\/span>Victoza<\/span> have caused <\/span>thyroid cancer<\/span> (thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)). It is unknown whether there is an increased risk of thyroid cancer in humans who take Ozempic or Victoza. Patients with a history or family history of thyroid cancer, or with <\/span>multiple endocrine neoplasia<\/span> syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2) should not take <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> or <\/span>Victoza<\/span>. Additionally, anyone who takes Ozempic or Victoza should call their healthcare professional right away if they have signs or symptoms of thyroid cancer such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or a lump in the neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other warnings include:<\/span><\/p>\n