adminLiving with a chronic disease such as diabetes doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy life to the fullest just like everyone else. The key to living with a condition such as type 2 diabetes, and living well, is the correct management of this disease.
While there are plenty of important lifestyle habits you can live by with diabetes, there are also helpful medications you can use to keep the condition under control.
This blog explores two key players in diabetes treatment: Metformin vs Ozempic. Let’s take a closer look.
What You Need to Know About Ozempic
The design of Ozempic imitates a naturally occurring hormone known as GLP-1. The key function of this drug is to lower blood sugar levels. But it also helps to slow down digestion, stimulate the release of insulin, and lower the amount of glucose released by the liver.
You only need to administer this drug once a week with a disposable injection (for most people with type 2 diabetes). It’s important to note that Ozempic is not a medication that treats type 1 diabetes as these conditions are quite different from each other.
Learn more about other important diabetic medicines available here if you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes.
What You Need to Know About Metformin
Metformin is the OG of diabetes medications. It’s the primary medication used to treat this condition and has been for many years. Again, metformin only treats type 2 diabetes.
Metformin works to decrease sugar absorbed by the intestines. It also lowers the amount of glucose produced in the liver and helps to improve insulin sensitivity.
Metformin comes in oral suspensions and extended-release tablet form.
Uses of Metformin vs Ozempic
Both of these medications treat type 2 diabetes — but there are specific reasons as to why someone would need to take Ozempic vs Metformin. For example, you’d need to take Ozempic for the following reasons:
- You cannot tolerate Metformin like others with type 2 diabetes
- Your hemoglobin AC1 count is 1.5 percent over your target
- You fail to reach your AC1 target in three months
- You live with other chronic disease such as kidney disease, heart disease, or atherosclerosis
Ozempic is also a very effective drug in weight management for those living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Metformin
This is a diabetic medication that’s been on the market since 1994. It’s also the first form of type 2 diabetes medication prescribed to diagnosed patients.
Metformin is also very effective in treating other conditions such as gestational diabetes, preventing type 2 diabetes (if you’re at risk), treating PCOS, and managing antipsychotic-induced weight gain.
Side Effects: Ozempic vs Metformin
These two medications share many of the same side effects. For most people, these include:
- Vomiting or nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach discomfort
- Indigestion
While many of these side effects are common, you’re not always guaranteed to experience them. But it’s important to speak to your doctor if you do and they become intolerable. It’s vital that you carefully monitor your use and dosage of both Metformin and Ozempic.
Some more serious side effects of the misuse of Ozempic include:
- Acute kidney injury
- Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas
- Very low blood sugar levels
- Diabetic eye disease
- Hypersensitivity
Metformin is generally a safe medication for most people. However, it can cause serious side effects if you’re not managing your diabetes correctly and fail to get enough nutrients into your diet.
Diabetic? Stay on Top of Your Health With Us
Whether you take Metformin vs Ozempic as a type 2 diabetic depends on a few factors. Most of the time, it’s up to you and your doctor and what works best for your personal health.
If you’re looking for tips on how to manage your diabetes and general well-being, explore the rest of this site for more.
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