Ozempic vs. Metformin: Comparing Benefits and Effectiveness

Managing type 2 diabetes can be complicated, and sometimes it’s not enough to just change your lifestyle and plan a new diet for a person. Some people need a lot of time to find the best medications for themselves, and the number of options is truly impressive: syringes, pens, oral medications, and numerous others! No wonder it isn’t easy to make the final decision regarding high blood sugar management medicines.

This article is dedicated to two influential brands for blood glucose control management in patients with type 2 diabetes – Ozempic and Metformin. Sometimes they can be confused, but it’s vital to understand the differences, as well as answers to some essential questions. So, without further ado, we are going straight into the article!

Metformin Vs. Ozempic. The Basics

While both brands discussed in this article are related to efficient diabetes medications for blood glucose control, there are still a few vital differences that shouldn’t be ignored while creating a treatment scheme. However, before discussing dissimilarities in more detail, it’s better to understand the primary characteristics of the products to have a bigger picture of all the options available on the market.

Our article Humalog vs. Apidra: Understanding the Differences and Similarities will help you understand the difference between these two drugs. Be the first to read this article.

What Is Metformin?

Metformin hydrochloride is a pill brand manufactured by Harman Finochem and meant for lowering blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is recommended to use this product along with positive changes in one’s lifestyle, whether exercising, creating a new balanced diet plan, maintaining a healthy weight, and so on. It’s rarely used as a solo solution and is mainly prescribed together with other insulin or insulin-like medications to keep sugar levels within a normal range.

The main purposes people are taking Metformin for include:

• Improve their insulin sensitivity;
• Decrease the amount of glucose produced in the liver;
• Decrease stomach sugar absorption.

 Metformin is not suitable for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus. 

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic belongs to the more popular products for diabetes management. Created by the Novo Nordisk manufacturer, this medication includes only the most beneficial ingredients in its composition, and one of them is a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. Just like the previous drug, this one works best for type 2 diabetes treatment and should be used along with specific alterations in one’s lifestyle, eating habits, as well as other beneficial changes.

Regarding Ozempic’s main characteristics, we would like to highlight the following:

• Stimulate insulin release;
• Lower the glucose level in the liver;
• Slower digestion.

Usually, patients order Ozempic online when they have a prescription from their doctor, which can be given if other insulin medications are not helpful. Another benefit is that these diabetes drugs significantly reduce the risk of major heart problems in people (heart attack, stroke, etc.), as well as the chances of death from heart-related conditions.

Ozempic and Metformin. Uses and Dosage

When it comes to controlled blood sugar, Ozempic and Metformin have quite similar uses and goals. Both drugs are meant for type 2 diabetes treatment and improving blood glucose absorption by the body tissues.

In 2014, Ozempic was approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes and curing issues regarding excess weight, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. Metformin, however, doesn’t relate to any of these characteristics. 

Regarding dosages, the two brands are different because of various forms of release:

• Metformin. For the immediate-release pill, the initial dose usually varies between 500mg (once or twice per day) and 800mg (once a day). As for the maintenance dose, 850mg or 1000mg twice a day would be all right. The maximum amount of the remedy shouldn’t be more than 2000mg per day;
• Ozempic. The correct way to get to the correct dose of this product is to start small and gradually increase the amount of the solution over four weeks. As a once-a-week injection, the initial dose of Ozempic should begin at 0.25mg per week for 4 weeks and then be increased to o,5mg or 1mg based on the patient’s needs, as well as the doctor’s recommendations.

Adverse Reactions and Other Warnings

Even though Ozempic is an injectable and Metformin is an oral medication, they still have some similar adverse reactions that are normal for basically every person out there. We are talking about certain stomach issues (like nausea and diarrhea), as well as low blood sugar.

It’s crucial to take care of low glucose levels in the blood as quickly as possible to avoid dangerous conditions. Try to eat something sugary or take a glucose pill (those can be easily purchased over the counter in any local pharmacy).

If Ozempic is a medication of choice, you may also expect skin irritation, loss of appetite, bloating, heartburn, and other common side effects.

Of course, we don’t exclude the chances of more severe adverse reactions, so seek immediate emergency medical treatment if you experience trouble breathing, irregular or slow heartbeat, muscle pain of an unknown nature, fever, vision changes, yellow skin and eyes, severe abdominal pain, muscle cramps, etc. The sooner a specialist is informed about the issue, the quicker they can provide all the required procedures to help their patient, so pay attention to this warning.

PLEASE NOTE: Are you curious about incorporating Ozempic into your morning routine, especially in conjunction with coffee? If so, explore our article “The Morning Ritual: Ozempic and Coffee – What You Need to Know” for valuable insights into the considerations and effects of combining Ozempic with your coffee habits.

Limitations

If there are side effects, there should also be contraindications, and Ozempic/Metformin are no exceptions. Other products should be recommended to control high blood sugar if an individual currently has or had the following conditions in the past:

• Ozempic. Medullary thyroid cancer (personal or family history), diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin-dependent diabetes;
• Metformin. Medical history of severe kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, and metabolic acidosis. It’s essential to warn a doctor about taking this remedy before an x-ray or CT scan.

Metformin and Ozempic Drug Interactions

Certain nuances should be known before starting to take Metformin or Ozempic for blood glucose control, and blood interaction is definitely one of them:

• Ozempic. One of the main tasks of Ozempic medications is to slow down digestion, which means oral medicines can be absorbed by the body slower. A doctor should be informed about all the medicines a person takes, especially if it’s any insulin injection for better blood sugar control. It is also not recommended to mix Ozempic with alcohol as it may lead to unpredictable reactions in the body;
• Metformin. Some over-the-counter pills may affect Metformin’s effectiveness and lead to poor blood glucose control in the body (it mainly relates to vitamins, over-the-counter meds, and certain herbal extracts). Talk to a medical professional if you currently take Bupropion, Cimetidine, Dolutegravir, Iodine contrast agents, etc. We recommend discussing the complete list during the doctor’s appointment. Just like with most meds, it’s not recommended to mix Metformin with alcoholic beverages.

What About the Products’ Prices?

Ozempic and Metformin can be purchased both offline and online if a person has a valid prescription from their doctor. According to the rules, it’s only possible to buy a three-month supply, so it’s better to pay close attention to the number of medications left in your storage before you run out of them entirely.

At Insulin.Store, it’s possible to use a subscription option, meaning the needed amount of prescription medicines will be sent to you every month (or every three months) according to the prescription from your doctor. In this way, you won’t need to worry about running out of your meds at the most unexpected moment. 

Speaking about the price, it may vary based on several nuances, such as:

• Whether the insurance plan covers this type of medicine;
• Type of pharmacy you purchase them from;
• Whether you choose a generic or a brand name;
• Is there insurance, or are you paying with cash?

Can I Combine Ozempic and Metformin?

Metformin and Ozempic are safe to be used together if it is recommended by a medical professional. If the first one is not able to keep blood sugar levels in the target range, Ozempic may be a great help for this purpose. If the dose is calculated correctly, the chances of experiencing low blood sugar levels are reduced to the minimum, so there should be no worries regarding this topic.

Because of the different mechanisms of action, it’s safe to use both for better blood sugar control. So, just make sure to consult with a medical professional before making any big decisions.

If you are interested in the topic of diabetes, then you should read our article What Is the Relationship Between Diabetes, Insulin, and Potassium. You will be able to understand the difference between these words and learn a lot more about your health.

The Final Word: About Ozempic and Metformin

Ozempic and Metformin are effective brands for blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Even though they come in different forms of release (pills and injectables), the final goal remains the same – to provide better blood sugar control to those whose pancreas cannot produce enough of it or have trouble reacting to the substance correctly. To purchase either of these brands, a person will need a valid prescription from a doctor, just like with any other type of insulin medication. That’s it for today’s article. Thank you for visiting our blog!