{"id":49705,"date":"2022-03-08T09:17:53","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T14:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49705"},"modified":"2025-08-20T13:37:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:37:25","slug":"ozempic-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ozempic-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Ozempic alternatives: What can I take instead of Ozempic?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ozempic<\/span><\/a> is a brand-name <\/span>prescription drug<\/span> made by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. It is used to improve blood <\/span>glucose<\/span> control in adults with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span>. <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> can also be used to lower the risk of major <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> events (such as <\/span>stroke<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>heart attack<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> death) in adults with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. <\/span>Ozempic <\/span>is also sometimes prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> (for a non-FDA-approved use) as a weight loss medication. For people interested in an alternative drug to Ozempic, some alternatives include Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, Trulicity, and metformin. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

What can I take in place of <\/span>Ozempic<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The table below compares <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> with common alternatives. All of the drugs listed are prescription medications that are approved by the U.S. <\/span>Food and Drug Administration<\/span> (<\/span>FDA<\/span>). In most cases, healthcare providers recommend diet and exercise changes along with medication\u2014consult your provider for more information and medical advice.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare Ozempic alternatives<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nSide effects<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ozempic (semaglutide<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes (T2D)<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of major <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> events in adults with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease<\/span><\/p>\n

Off-label for weight loss<\/span><\/td>\n

Nausea<\/span><\/p>\n

Vomiting<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach pain <\/span>Constipation<\/span> Burping<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood sugar<\/span> Indigestion Reflux<\/span><\/p>\n

Gas<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetic retinopathy<\/span><\/p>\n

Injection site reaction<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 0.25 mg by subcutaneous injection (SQ; under the skin) once a week, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to 1 mg or 2 mg once per week<\/span><\/td>\nGet <\/span>Ozempic<\/span> coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Injectable alternatives to Ozempic<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bydureon<\/span> BCise (exenatide extended-release)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNausea<\/span><\/p>\n

Vomiting\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation<\/span><\/p>\n

Headache<\/span><\/p>\n

Indigestion<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood sugar<\/span><\/p>\n

Injection site reaction<\/span><\/td>\n

2 mg SQ every week<\/span><\/td>\nGet <\/span>Bydureon<\/span> BCise coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Byetta (exenatide)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNausea<\/span><\/p>\n

Vomiting\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation<\/span><\/p>\n

Headache<\/span><\/p>\n

Indigestion<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood sugar<\/span><\/td>\n

5 to 10 mcg SQ twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Byetta coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults with T2D<\/span><\/td>\nNausea Vomiting<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation Stomach pain Decreased appetite Indigestion\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 2.5 mg SQ once a week, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to a maximum of 15 mg once per week<\/span><\/td>\nGet Mounjaro coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trulicity<\/span> (<\/span>dulaglutide<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults & pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of major <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> events in adults with both T2D and heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors<\/span><\/td>\n

Nausea Vomiting<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea Stomach pain Decreased appetite Indigestion Fatigue<\/span><\/p>\n

Fast heart rate<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 0.75 mg SQ once a week, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to a maximum of 4.5 mg once per week<\/span><\/td>\nGet <\/span>Trulicity<\/span> coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Victoza<\/span> (<\/span>liraglutide<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of major <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> events in adults with both T2D and heart disease<\/span><\/td>\n

Low blood sugar<\/span><\/p>\n

Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea or <\/span>constipation<\/span> Headache<\/span><\/p>\n

Common cold Decreased appetite Indigestion Back pain<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 0.6 mg SQ once a day, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to a maximum of 1.8 mg once a day<\/span><\/td>\nGet <\/span>Victoza<\/span> coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wegovy (semaglutide)<\/span><\/td>\nWeight loss and long-term maintenance of weight loss in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with obesity; or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related health condition<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of major <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> events in adults with both heart disease and obesity or overweight<\/span><\/td>\n

Nausea\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vomiting\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea Constipation<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach pain\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indigestion\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Burping\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bloating\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gas\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Headache\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tiredness<\/span><\/p>\n

Runny nose<\/span><\/p>\n

Sore throat<\/span><\/p>\n

Dizziness\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood sugar in people with T2D<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 0.25 mg SQ once a week, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to 1.7 or 2.4 mg once per week<\/span><\/td>\nGet Wegovy coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zepbound (tirzepatide)<\/span><\/td>\nChronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more (obesity); or 27 or more with at least one weight-related medical condition<\/span><\/td>\nNausea\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vomiting\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea Constipation<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach pain\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indigestion\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Burping\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Injection site or allergic reactions<\/span><\/p>\n

Tiredness\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hair loss<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 2.5 mg SQ once a week, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to a maximum of 15 mg once per week<\/span><\/td>\nGet Zepbound coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oral alternatives to Ozempic<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farxiga (dapagliflozin)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with both T2D and heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visits in adults with heart failure\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of kidney problems, death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progressing<\/span><\/td>\n

Genital fungal infection Urinary tract infection (UTI) Back pain Nausea <\/span>Constipation<\/span> Pain in the extremities Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing)<\/span><\/td>\nT2D: 5 or 10 mg by mouth every day<\/span><\/p>\n

All other indications: 10 mg by mouth every day<\/span><\/td>\n

Get Farxiga coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Metformin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNausea Vomiting Diarrhea\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gas\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Weakness Indigestion Appetite loss Headache Ovulation induction<\/span><\/td>\n

500 to 1000 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet metformin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jardiance (empagliflozin)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> death in adults with both T2D and heart disease<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span> death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowers the risk of kidney problems, death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progressing<\/span><\/td>\n

UTI<\/span><\/p>\n

Upper respiratory tract infection<\/span><\/p>\n

Genital fungal infection<\/span><\/p>\n

High cholesterol Joint pain Nausea<\/span><\/td>\n

T2D: 10 or 25 mg by mouth every morning<\/span><\/p>\n

All other indications: 10 mg by mouth every morning<\/span><\/td>\n

Get Jardiance coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rybelsus (<\/span>semaglutide<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nImproves blood sugar control in adults with T2D\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nNausea Vomiting\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach pain\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Decreased appetite\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bloating\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

The starting dose is 3 mg by mouth daily, with the healthcare provider gradually increasing the dose to 7 or 14 mg by mouth daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Rybelsus coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*General dosing is listed. Dosing may vary. People with certain medical conditions may require dosage adjustment.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Related: <\/b>Ozempic vs. Trulicity<\/b><\/a> | <\/b>Ozempic vs. Victoza<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Other alternatives to <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/h3>\n

The following drugs are injectable drugs that are similar to <\/span>Ozempic<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n