Ozempic alternatives: What can I take instead of Ozempic?

In this article:

• Top alternatives
• Other alternatives
• Wegovy
• Trulicity
• Metformin
• Rybelsus
• Mounjaro
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch meds

In this article

• Top alternatives
• Other alternatives
• Wegovy
• Trulicity
• Metformin
• Rybelsus
• Mounjaro
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch meds

Ozempic is a brand-name prescription drug made by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. It is used to improve blood glucose control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Ozempic can also be used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular death) in adults with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Ozempic is also sometimes prescribed off-label (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.

What can I take in place of Ozempic?

The table below compares Ozempic with common alternatives. All of the drugs listed are prescription medications that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In most cases, healthcare providers recommend diet and exercise changes along with medication—consult your provider for more information and medical advice.

Compare Ozempic alternatives
Drug name	Uses	Side effects	Dosage	Get coupon
Ozempic (semaglutide)	Improves blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease Off-label for weight loss	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain Constipation Burping Low blood sugar Indigestion Reflux Gas Diabetic retinopathy Injection site reaction	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	Get Ozempic coupons
Injectable alternatives to Ozempic
Bydureon BCise (exenatide extended-release)	Improves blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with T2D	Nausea Vomiting  Diarrhea Constipation Headache Indigestion Low blood sugar Injection site reaction	2 mg SQ every week	Get Bydureon BCise coupons
Byetta (exenatide)	Improves blood sugar control in adults with T2D	Nausea Vomiting  Diarrhea Constipation Headache Indigestion Low blood sugar	5 to 10 mcg SQ twice daily	Get Byetta coupons
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)	Improves blood sugar control in adults with T2D	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea  Constipation Stomach pain Decreased appetite Indigestion	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	Get Mounjaro coupons
Trulicity (dulaglutide)	Improves blood sugar control in adults & pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D  Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with both T2D and heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain Decreased appetite Indigestion Fatigue Fast heart rate	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	Get Trulicity coupons
Victoza (liraglutide)	Improves blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D  Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with both T2D and heart disease	Low blood sugar Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea or constipation Headache Common cold Decreased appetite Indigestion Back pain	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	Get Victoza coupons
Wegovy (semaglutide)	Weight 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 Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with both heart disease and obesity or overweight	Nausea  Vomiting  Diarrhea Constipation Stomach pain  Indigestion  Burping  Bloating  Gas  Headache  Tiredness Runny nose Sore throat Dizziness  Low blood sugar in people with T2D	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	Get Wegovy coupons
Zepbound (tirzepatide)	Chronic 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	Nausea  Vomiting  Diarrhea Constipation Stomach pain  Indigestion  Burping  Injection site or allergic reactions Tiredness  Hair loss	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	Get Zepbound coupons
Oral alternatives to Ozempic
Farxiga (dapagliflozin)	Improves blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D  Lowers the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with both T2D and heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors Lowers the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visits in adults with heart failure  Lowers the risk of kidney problems, death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progressing	Genital fungal infection Urinary tract infection (UTI) Back pain Nausea Constipation Pain in the extremities Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing)	T2D: 5 or 10 mg by mouth every day All other indications: 10 mg by mouth every day	Get Farxiga coupons
Metformin	Improves blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with T2D	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea  Gas  Weakness Indigestion Appetite loss Headache Ovulation induction	500 to 1000 mg by mouth twice daily	Get metformin coupons
Jardiance (empagliflozin)	Improves blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with T2D  Lowers the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with both T2D and heart disease Lowers the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure Lowers the risk of kidney problems, death, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progressing	UTI Upper respiratory tract infection Genital fungal infection High cholesterol Joint pain Nausea	T2D: 10 or 25 mg by mouth every morning All other indications: 10 mg by mouth every morning	Get Jardiance coupons
Rybelsus (semaglutide)	Improves blood sugar control in adults with T2D	Nausea Vomiting  Diarrhea Stomach pain  Constipation  Decreased appetite  Bloating	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	Get Rybelsus coupons

*General dosing is listed. Dosing may vary. People with certain medical conditions may require dosage adjustment. 

Related: Ozempic vs. Trulicity | Ozempic vs. Victoza

Other alternatives to Ozempic

The following drugs are injectable drugs that are similar to Ozempic:

• Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide) 

Examples of single-ingredient oral alternatives to Ozempic include:

• Actos (pioglitazone)
• Amaryl (glimepiride)
• Glucotrol (glipizide)
• Glyburide
• Glyset (miglitol)
• Invokana (canagliflozin)
• Metformin extended-release
• Nesina (alogliptin)
• Repaglinide
• Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
• Tradjenta (linagliptin)

In addition to injectable drugs and oral drugs that contain one ingredient, there are also various combination medications, such as:

• Actoplus Met (metformin/pioglitazone)
• Duetact (glimepiride/pioglitazone)
• Glyxambi (linagliptin/empagliflozin)
• Invokamet (metformin/canagliflozin)
• Janumet (sitagliptin and metformin)
• Synjardy (metformin/empagliflozin)
• Trijardy XR (metformin/linagliptin/empagliflozin)
• Xigduo XR (metformin/dapagliflozin)

Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable brand-name drug that, like Ozempic, is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist class of drugs. Wegovy contains the same ingredient and works in a similar manner as Ozempic. However, Wegovy is considered a weight loss drug. It has different FDA-approved uses, which include:

• Weight 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 such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
• Lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with both heart disease and obesity or overweight

Common side effects of Wegovy are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, burping, bloating, gas, headache, tiredness, and dizziness. It can also cause low blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, especially when used in combination with insulin or certain diabetes drugs. 

All GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have a black box warning, the most serious warning issued by the FDA. These medicines have caused thyroid tumors in animal studies. It is not known whether these medicines cause thyroid tumors to occur in humans. Therefore, these medicines cannot be used in people with a history or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in people with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). People who take any GLP-1 agonist should be alert to symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as a lump in the neck, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Trulicity

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is another injectable drug that is part of the GLP-1 agonist drug class. Trulicity works the same way as Ozempic and Wegovy. 

Trulicity is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of major heart events in adults with both Type 2 diabetes and heart disease or multiple risk factors. Sometimes, Trulicity is prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

Some common side effects of Trulicity are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, low blood sugar, decreased appetite, indigestion, and fatigue. 

Like Ozempic and Wegovy, Trulicity cannot be used in people with a history or family history of MTC or in people with MEN 2.

Metformin

Metformin is in a drug class called biguanides. Metformin is a generic drug that is taken by mouth. Metformin works by decreasing the amount of sugar absorbed from food, decreasing glucose production in the liver, and increasing the body’s response to insulin. Metformin is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years or older with Type 2 diabetes. It is commonly used as a first choice of treatment.

The most common side effects of metformin are stomach-related. They include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, and indigestion. 

Patients taking metformin should be aware of a rare but serious side effect called lactic acidosis. Patients having symptoms of lactic acidosis should seek emergency treatment in the hospital right away. Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include feeling unwell, stomach and muscle pain, difficulty breathing, and sleepiness. People with kidney problems or those who drink excessive alcohol are at higher risk for lactic acidosis.

RELATED: Can Ozempic cause muscle pain?

Rybelsus

Rybelsus contains the ingredient semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy. However, Rybelsus is a tablet taken by mouth once a day. People who tolerate Ozempic well but prefer an oral medication rather than an injection may want to try Rybelsus. Rybelsus is indicated to improve blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Healthcare providers may sometimes prescribe it off-label for weight loss. 

Common side effects of Rybelsus are similar to those of Ozempic and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and bloating, constipation, indigestion, decreased appetite, reflux, and gas. 

Like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity, Rybelsus cannot be used in people with a history or family history of MTC or in people with MEN 2.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable medication that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It is classified as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is FDA-approved to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes and is also prescribed off-label for weight loss.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, indigestion, and stomach pain.

Like GLP-1 receptor agonists, Mounjaro cannot be used in people with a history or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in people with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

What about compounded semaglutide?

Although you may see ads for cheaper compounded semaglutide versions, the FDA has raised safety concerns about these products. They may contain unapproved variations of the active ingredient and are not FDA-approved. The FDA recommends using only FDA-approved semaglutide and consulting a healthcare provider for safe, effective treatment options.

Natural alternatives to Ozempic

Patients may want to look at over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or vitamins for a solution to help lower their blood sugar. However, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), when considering a vitamin or supplement, there is a possibility of drug interactions and potential effects on blood sugar (for example, causing blood sugar to get too low or too high). Some supplements can have drug interactions or cause troublesome side effects. The ADA notes that, although some people may benefit from a multivitamin, “supplements are not proven as an effective option for lowering your blood glucose (blood sugar) or supporting diabetes management.” Therefore, it is crucial to consult your healthcare provider before incorporating any vitamins or supplements into your regimen. While lifestyle changes and supplements may offer some benefits, they should not replace the prescription medications your healthcare provider has prescribed.

Making some diet and lifestyle modifications can help control blood sugar. However, dietary and lifestyle changes do not replace your prescription medication. Ask your healthcare professional which diet plan is best for you. A healthy, balanced diet should include a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Exercise can help to control blood sugar as well. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need help determining what type of physical activity will be safe and effective for you. Be sure to discuss when to test blood sugar in general and during exercise—and how to treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 

Other lifestyle modifications that may help control your blood sugar include managing weight, lowering stress, and getting enough sleep. All of these can be helpful but do not replace the medication your healthcare provider ordered for you. Always consult your provider for medical advice or questions or concerns about your health.

How to switch to an Ozempic alternative

If you are interested in switching to an Ozempic alternative, you can:

• Contact your insurance provider if the price is a concern. Ask which Ozempic alternatives are covered and what the copay would be for each alternative. Ask if your deductible has been met or if you are still paying toward your deductible. 
• Reach out to your healthcare provider. They may want you to make an appointment before switching your medication. Review your medical conditions and history, and discuss alternative medications (along with potential drug interactions and potential side effects) with your provider. If your healthcare provider prescribes an Ozempic alternative, they can send it to your pharmacy. Tell the pharmacist you are switching from Ozempic to the new medication so your file can be updated properly.
• Search SingleCare for prescription coupons. You can save up to 80% on drug prices, and the coupons can be applied to refills as well.