Skip to main content
Drug vs. Drug

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Differences, similarities & side effects

The drugs have different active ingredients but belong to the same drug class
Gerardo Sison medical writer headshot
By | Jul. 12, 2024
Two self-injector pens: Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Differences, similarities & side effects

Key takeaways

  • Bydureon BCise and Ozempic are injectable medications for Type 2 diabetes, helping control blood sugar and reduce appetite.

  • Bydureon BCise contains exenatide in a single-use autoinjector pen, while Ozempic contains semaglutide in a prefilled multi-dose pen.

  • Ozempic is more likely to cause gastrointestinal issues, while Bydureon BCise is more likely to cause injection site reactions, such as redness and swelling.

  • Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, unlike Bydureon BCise.

In this article:

Bydureon BCise and Ozempic are two brand-name medications prescribed for managing Type 2 diabetes in adults alongside diet and exercise. These treatments are part of a group of injectable drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Note that regular Bydureon has been discontinued and replaced by Bydureon BCise, which contains the same active ingredient.

These drugs work by stimulating insulin secretion, curbing the liver’s sugar production, and promoting a sense of fullness. While the two medications may seem similar, they differ in their active ingredients, approved uses, potential costs, and side effects. The availability of insurance coverage should also be considered when weighing treatment options with a healthcare provider.

Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between Bydureon BCise and Ozempic.

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Key differences

Bydureon BCise is a brand-name drug manufactured by AstraZeneca containing the active ingredient exenatide. It comes as an extended-release pen that delivers a weekly dose under the skin (subcutaneously). More specifically, Bydureon BCise is a single-dose autoinjector pen with an attached needle. The medicine needs to be mixed vigorously before each use. It is only approved for adults and children 10 years and older.

Ozempic is a brand-name drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk that contains semaglutide. It is available as a multi-dose, prefilled pen that delivers a once-weekly injection subcutaneously. Unlike Bydureon BCise, Ozempic does not require shaking, as the medication is already mixed and ready to use. Still, using Ozempic requires more steps than Bydureon BCise, as a new needle must be attached before every use. It is approved for adults only. 

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Comparing key differences
Bydureon BCise Ozempic
Drug class GLP-1 receptor agonist GLP-1 receptor agonist
Brand/generic status Brand only Brand only
What is the generic name? Exenatide Semaglutide
What form(s) does the drug come in? Subcutaneous injection Subcutaneous injection
What is the standard dosage? 2 mg injected under the skin once weekly  0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, the dosage is increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. 

Depending on the treatment response, the dosage may be increased to 1 mg once weekly after 4 weeks on the 0.5 mg dosage and then again to 2 mg once daily after 4 weeks on the 1 mg dosage.
How long is the typical treatment? Long-term Long-term
Who typically uses the medication? Adults and children 10 years and older Adults 18 years and older

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Conditions treated

Bydureon and Ozempic are both FDA-approved treatment options for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. They both help improve glycemic control, which may help decrease the risk of diabetes complications, including heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision problems.

These prescription drugs are meant to be used alongside a diet and exercise plan. They are not approved for Type 1 diabetes. 

In addition to Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart disease-related events in people with heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Studies suggest these medications may also support weight loss because they can decrease appetite. However, weight loss is considered an off-label use for Bydureon BCise and Ozempic. 

RELATED: Can I take Ozempic if I’m not diabetic?

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Comparing conditions treated
Condition Bydureon BCise Ozempic
Type 2 diabetes Yes Yes
Reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and death No Yes
Weight loss Off-label Off-label

Bydureon vs Ozempic for weight loss: Which is better?

Bydureon BCise and Ozempic have both been shown to be more effective than placebo or using nothing at all. There are limited head-to-head studies that compare Bydureon and Ozempic for weight loss specifically. The most appropriate medication may depend on individual responses to the medication, side effects, and costs. 

One randomized clinical trial compared the effectiveness of Bydureon BCise and Ozempic in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Ozempic showed a greater reduction in levels of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) compared to Bydureon BCise, with patients experiencing a decrease of 1.5% on average with Ozempic versus a decrease of 0.9% with Bydureon BCise. Furthermore, Ozempic surpassed Bydureon BCise in weight loss outcomes, with patients losing an average of around 12 pounds as opposed to 4 pounds with exenatide ER.

Consult a healthcare provider to determine the best weight loss medication. One may be preferred based on your overall condition. 

Can you take Bydureon and Ozempic together?

You should not take Bydureon BCise with Ozempic. Healthcare providers generally do not recommend taking them together because of their overlapping actions that provide no additional benefit when combined. Taking them together could lead to additive effects, potentially causing low blood sugar and other unwanted side effects. Dosages are typically adjusted before adding another medication.

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Insurance coverage and cost comparison

Bydureon BCise and Ozempic are brand-name medications that are generally more expensive than generic alternatives. There are currently no generic versions of Bydureon BCise and Ozempic. Insurance coverage for these medications can vary depending on an individual’s insurance plan, and not all plans cover them. Patients might need prior authorization for these drugs, and insurance may cover them differently based on treatment needs.

The cost without insurance can differ for both drugs, but there may be options to help manage these expenses. SingleCare provides coupons for Bydureon BCise and Ozempic that could help reduce the price, offering significant savings. Comparing prices between local pharmacies can uncover where Bydureon or Ozempic is available at lower costs, with additional savings possible through discount programs like SingleCare.

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Comparing insurance & cost
Bydureon BCise Ozempic
Typically covered by insurance? Yes Yes
Typically covered by Medicare Part D? Yes Yes
Quantity 4 single-dose 2 mg/0.85 mL autoinjector pens 1 prefilled 2 mg/ 3 mL injection pen
SingleCare cost* $809 $813
*Typical cash price at the time of publication. Drug prices vary by pharmacy.

Bydureon vs. Ozempic side effects

As medications of the same drug class, Bydureon BCise and Ozempic may cause similar side effects. Common side effects of these medications may include gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. These side effects generally occur at the start of treatment and may go away as the body adjusts to the medication. 

Ozempic is more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects than Bydureon BCise. However, Bydureon BCise may cause more injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, and irritation around the area of injection. 

While most side effects are not severe, serious side effects can occur with either medication. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), kidney problems, allergic reactions, and thyroid tumors are potential side effects of Bydureon BCise and Ozempic that may be serious. 

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Comparing side effects
Bydureon BCise Ozempic
Side Effect Applicable? Frequency Applicable? Frequency
Nausea Yes 8% Yes 16%
Vomiting Yes 3% Yes 5%
Diarrhea Yes 3% Yes 9%
Stomach pain Yes N/A Yes 7%
Constipation Yes 2% Yes 5%
Injection site reactions Yes 11% Yes 0.2%
Headache Yes 4% No –
Frequency is not based on data from a head-to-head trial. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your healthcare provider to learn more.
Source: DailyMed (Bydureon BCise), DailyMed (Ozempic)

Bydureon and Ozempic drug interactions

Both Bydureon BCise and Ozempic can interact with similar types of drugs, primarily other diabetes medications. Taking these medications with insulin and certain diabetes medications like sulfonylureas and glinides may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. The dosages of other blood sugar-lowering drugs may need to be adjusted while taking Bydureon Bcise or Ozempic. 

As Bydureon Bcise and Ozempic can delay the emptying of the stomach, they may affect the absorption of oral medications. More specifically, GLP-1 agonists can slow the absorption of oral drugs, potentially altering their effectiveness and timing. It’s recommended that any changes in the therapeutic effects of oral medications be monitored and that dosing be adjusted as necessary.

There have been reports of increased INR (a measure of blood clotting) in patients taking Bydureon BCise along with warfarin, sometimes leading to bleeding. If you are on warfarin and start taking Bydureon BCise, your INR should be checked more often until it stabilizes, after which it can be monitored as usual.

Bydureon vs. Ozempic: Comparing drug interactions
Drug Drug class Bydureon BCise Ozempic
Levemir (insulin detemir)

Humalog (insulin lispro)

Lantus (insulin glargine)

Novolog (insulin aspart)

 Insulin  Yes Yes
Amaryl (glimepiride)

Glucotrol (glipizide)

Micronase (glyburide)

 Sulfonylureas Yes Yes
Starlix (nateglinide)

Prandin (repaglinide)

 Glinides Yes Yes
Coumadin (warfarin) Anticoagulant Yes No
This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Please consult your healthcare provider before taking these medications.

Bydureon and Ozempic drug warnings

Bydureon BCise and Ozempic have been linked to a risk of thyroid tumors based on animal studies. Specifically, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) are significant concerns. Individuals with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or MEN 2 are recommended against using these medications.

Both drugs are associated with pancreatitis, which is a serious warning. Treatment should be stopped if this condition is suspected. In addition, these medications may increase the risk of gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury, and allergic reactions. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.

Bydureon BCise has been linked to an increased risk of bleeding. If bleeding events occur, Bydureon BCise should be stopped immediately. 

Reports have found that Ozempic may cause complications of diabetic retinopathy, leading to worsening vision problems. If you experience any sudden changes in vision, such as blurred vision, floaters, or loss of vision, seek medical attention promptly.

Bydureon BCise and Ozempic may harm an unborn baby. In addition, these medications may pass into breast milk, which may affect a breastfeeding child. Consult a healthcare provider for medical advice before using these medications while pregnant or breastfeeding.