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Levemir vs. Ozempic

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Levemir (insulin detemir) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications used to manage diabetes, but they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses. Levemir is a long-acting insulin used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, while Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist specifically approved for Type 2 diabetes. Levemir is injected once or twice daily, whereas Ozempic is injected once a week. Levemir is available in vials and pens, while Ozempic is available as a prefilled pen. Neither medication has a generic available. Common side effects of Levemir include low blood sugar and headaches, while Ozempic can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Both Levemir and Ozempic can be used with other diabetes medications, but this can also increase the risk of low blood sugar. Additionally, Ozempic is not recommended for people with a history of certain thyroid cancers, while Levemir does not have this warning.

Levemir

(insulin detemir)

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Ozempic

(semaglutide)

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Summary for Levemir

Prescription only

Levemir (insulin detemir) is a long-acting insulin that helps control high blood sugar levels in children and adults. It's injected under the skin, typically once or twice daily. Like all insulins, Levemir (insulin detemir) can raise your risk for low blood sugar, so make sure to keep fast-acting sugars with you in case your blood sugar level drops too low. This medication comes in vials. But it's also available as a Flexpen for people who have trouble drawing up insulin from the vial.

Indications for Levemir

Pros and Cons for Levemir

Pros

  • Lower risk of weight gain compared to some other types of insulin
  • Doses can be adjusted to meet your body's needs
  • Insulin pens available for people who've trouble using insulin vials
  • Provides blood sugar control for up to 24 hours

Cons

  • Must be injected
  • Might need to inject it twice daily
  • Can cause low blood sugar
  • No generic option available

Common Side Effects for Levemir

  • Shakiness, hunger, and other symptoms of low blood sugar (up to 93%, depending on what other blood sugar medications you're taking)
  • Common cold involving the nose, throat, and lungs (up to 27%)
  • Headache (up to 23%)
  • Pain or irritation of the throat (10%)
  • Back pain (8%)
  • Fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms (up to 8%)
  • Stomach pain (6%)

Please note: These side effects were reported by people who took Levemir (insulin detemir) for type 1 diabetes. Your risk for side effects might be different if you have type 2 diabetes.

Warnings for Levemir

  • Infections
  • Low blood sugar
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Low blood potassium levels
  • Swelling from fluids and risk of heart failure

Summary for Ozempic

Prescription only

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Indications for Ozempic

Injection:

Tablets:

Pros and Cons for Ozempic

Pros

  • Only given once per week
  • Might help you lose weight
  • Helps lower the risk of heart problems and kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes
  • Available as an injection and an oral tablet

Cons

  • Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Risk of low blood sugar if taken with certain diabetes medications
  • Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes
  • Interacts with medications taken by mouth

Common Side Effects for Ozempic

Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection

Warnings for Ozempic

  • Risk of thyroid tumors
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Eye problems
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications
  • Kidney damage
  • Severe stomach problems
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation

Prices with our coupons for Levemir vs. Ozempic

Price Card Drug Icon
Levemir1 vial / 10ml of 100 units/ml
$115.96$140.20
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Price Card Drug Icon
Ozempic30 tablets / 1.5mg
$149.00$1,229.69
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