Victoza vs. Jardiance: Differences, similarities & side effects

In this article:

• Victoza vs. Jardiance: Key differences
• Victoza vs. Jardiance: Conditions treated
• Is Jardiance better than Victoza?
• Victoza vs. Jardiance: Insurance coverage and cost comparison
• Victoza vs. Jardiance side effects
• Victoza and Jardiance drug interactions
• Victoza and Jardiance drug warnings
• Can you take Victoza and Jardiance together?

In this article

• Victoza vs. Jardiance: Key differences
• Victoza vs. Jardiance: Conditions treated
• Is Jardiance better than Victoza?
• Victoza vs. Jardiance: Insurance coverage and cost comparison
• Victoza vs. Jardiance side effects
• Victoza and Jardiance drug interactions
• Victoza and Jardiance drug warnings
• Can you take Victoza and Jardiance together?

Victoza (liraglutide) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) are two brand-name medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration to manage Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although both drugs are used to treat the same condition, they are not the same. Continue reading to learn more about Victoza and Jardiance.

Victoza vs. Jardiance: Key differences

Victoza is an injectable drug that is made by Novo Nordisk and is a member of a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (the same drug class as the popularly prescribed medicines Ozempic and Wegovy, which both contain semaglutide). Victoza works by helping the body make more insulin (to help lower blood sugar levels) and less glucagon (because glucagon increases blood sugar). It also delays stomach emptying. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide and is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a day. 

Jardiance is made by the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. It is available as an oral tablet taken by mouth once daily. It is part of a class of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT 2) inhibitors. It works by helping the kidneys eliminate sugar through the urine. 

Victoza is available as generic liraglutide, while Jardiance is only available as a brand-name medication.

Compare Victoza vs. Jardiance key differences
	Victoza	Jardiance
Drug class	GLP-1 agonist	SGLT2 inhibitor
Brand/generic status	Brand and generic	Brand
What is the generic name?	Liraglutide	The active ingredient is called empagliflozin, but a generic is not available at this time
What form(s) does the drug come in?	Injection	Oral tablet: 10 mg, 25 mg
What is the standard dosage?	The starting dose is usually 0.6 mg subcutaneously (SQ) once a day for 1 week, then 1.2 mg SQ once a day for at least 1 week, then may increase to 1.8 mg SQ daily if needed; healthcare provider will advise	10 mg or 25 mg by mouth once daily in the morning
How long is the typical treatment?	Long-term	Long-term
Who typically uses the medication?	Adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older for Type 2 diabetes; adults only for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events	Adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older for Type 2 diabetes; adults only for all other uses

 

Victoza vs. Jardiance: Conditions treated

Victoza and Jardiance are both approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes, usually in combination with diet and exercise. Both medications are also approved for use in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In this population, Victoza is FDA approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death, while Jardiance is FDA approved to specifically lower the risk of cardiovascular death. 

Additionally, Jardiance is FDA approved for the following uses:

• To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure
• To reduce the risk of hospitalization, kidney complications, and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease

The active ingredient in Victoza, liraglutide, can also be found in a medication called Saxenda. Saxenda is approved by the FDA for weight loss or weight management in individuals who meet the criteria for obesity—or overweight with certain risk factors. This is just for reference, as this article focuses specifically on the brand-name drug Victoza compared to Jardiance.

Compare Victoza vs. Jardiance conditions treated
Condition*	Victoza	Jardiance
Type 2 diabetes	Yes	Yes
Heart failure	No	Yes
Kidney disease	No	Yes
Type 2 diabetes plus cardiovascular disease	Yes	Yes

*Shortened in table for clarity; see paragraph above for more detailed information

Is Jardiance better than Victoza?

One small clinical trial studied patients with Type 2 diabetes who were using insulin and added either Jardiance or Victoza. In this study, Victoza was more effective than Jardiance in lowering levels of hemoglobin A1C (a measure of blood sugar control over a three-month period). 

Another study looking at Jardiance and Victoza focused on heart issues. This study found both drugs to be similar in terms of major adverse cardiac events (known as MACE, and include heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart-related causes) as well as heart failure hospitalization and death by any cause. However, people who took Jardiance had a lower rate of first heart failure hospitalization. They were also less likely to require a type of water pill called a loop diuretic. 

A study published in 2022 compared Jardiance and Victoza, as well as another drug called Januvia (sitagliptin). In this study of almost 91,000 patients with Type 2 diabetes, Jardiance was found to be more effective than Victoza and  Januvia in reducing the risk of hospitalization for heart failure. Additionally, Jardiance lowered the risk of major heart problems compared to Januvia, with significant benefits for patients with heart and kidney diseases. These findings suggest that older adults with Type 2 diabetes might benefit more from Jardiance in reducing heart failure hospitalization and major cardiovascular events, particularly those with a history of cardiovascular disease.

Many people with Type 2 diabetes require combination therapy, which means taking more than one medication. Some patients take just one medication, while others may take both Jardiance and Victoza.

Keep in mind that there are many factors to consider when determining the most appropriate treatment option for a condition. The most effective medication for a patient should only be determined by a healthcare provider who can take into account unique factors that include the patient’s medical condition, history, and medications they may already be taking that could interact with Victoza or Jardiance.

Victoza vs. Jardiance: Insurance coverage and cost comparison

Victoza and Jardiance are often covered by insurance and Medicare prescription plans, but out-of-pocket costs vary by plan. You can consult your health insurance provider for the most recent pricing estimates on Victoza and Jardiance. 

For uninsured patients, a one-month supply of Victoza costs about $1,460, but you can use a free SingleCare coupon and pay about $734, saving $726 per month.

A one-month supply of Jardiance costs about $847 without insurance. However, you can apply a free SingleCare coupon to pay a reduced price of $487, saving $360 per month. 

Compare Victoza vs. Jardiance cost & coverage
	Victoza	Jardiance
Typically covered by insurance?	Yes	Yes
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?	Yes	Yes
Quantity	1 box of injection pens	30, 25 mg tablets
SingleCare cost	$734	$487

 

Victoza vs. Jardiance side effects

Common side effects of Victoza are gastrointestinal and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling less hungry, indigestion, and constipation. 

The most common side effects of Jardiance are genital yeast infections in females and urinary tract infections (UTI). 

With any medicine, in rare cases, serious allergic reactions may occur. If you have symptoms such as hives or itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek emergency medical attention.

The table below lists some common side effects of Victoza and Jardiance. This is not a full list of adverse effects, and others may occur. Consult your healthcare professional for more information and questions about side effects. 

Compare Victoza vs. Jardiance side effects
	Victoza		Jardiance
Side Effect	Applicable?	Frequency	Applicable?	Frequency
Nausea	Yes	18%–20%	Yes	1.1%–2.3%
Vomiting	Yes	6%–9%	No	N/A
Diarrhea	Yes	10%–12%	No	N/A
Constipation	Yes	5%	Yes	% not reported
Decreased appetite	Yes	9%–10%	No	N/A
Indigestion	Yes	4%–7%	No	N/A
UTI	No	N/A	Yes	7.6%–9.3%
Yeast infection (female)	No	N/A	Yes	5.4%–6.4%
Yeast infection (male)	No	N/A	Yes	1.6%–3.1%
Upper respiratory tract infection	Yes	6%–7%	Yes	3.1%–4%
Increased cholesterol	No	N/A	Yes	2.9%–3.9%
Joint pain	No	N/A	Yes	2.3%–2.4%

Source: Victoza (DailyMed), Jardiance (DailyMed)

Victoza and Jardiance drug interactions

Before you take Victoza or Jardiance, tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements. 

Because Victoza affects stomach emptying, it may affect how medicines are absorbed. Your healthcare provider may advise you to take certain medications at different times. Check with your healthcare provider on whether you need to change the timing of any of your medicines if you take Victoza.

Victoza and Jardiance interact with certain medications, including lithium and diuretics (also known as water pills). If Victoza or Jardiance is taken with insulin or certain diabetes medications, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur.

This is not a full list of drug interactions—consult your healthcare professional for more information about drug interactions and how they may affect you. 

Compare Victoza vs. Jardiance drug interactions
Drug	Drug class	Victoza	Jardiance
Hydrochlorothiazide  Lasix (furosemide)	Diuretics	Yes	Yes
Lithium	Mood stabilizer	Yes	Yes
Lantus Novolog Tresiba	Insulin	Yes	Yes
Glimepiride  Glipizide  Glyburide	Sulfonylureas	Yes	Yes

RELATED: Jardiance vs. glipizide

Victoza and Jardiance drug warnings

Before you take Victoza or Jardiance, make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all of your medical conditions and medical history. You should not take Jardiance if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Jardiance may cause harm to an unborn baby, and it can pass into breast milk and harm a baby. Also, before using Victoza or Jardiance, talk to your healthcare provider about monitoring your blood sugar and what to do if your blood sugar is too low or too high. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, confusion, shakiness, weakness, and hunger.

Victoza warnings

Victoza has a black box warning, or boxed warning, which is the most serious warning required by the FDA. The warning states that this drug has caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Although it is unknown whether Victoza causes thyroid cancer in humans, people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), as well as people with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Victoza. People who take Victoza should be alert to symptoms of thyroid tumors and contact their healthcare provider right away if any of the following symptoms occur: 

• A lump or swelling in the neck
• A hoarse voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shortness of breath

Other Victoza warnings include:

• Never share your pen with anyone else, even with a different needle. 
• Victoza can cause pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Stop using Victoza and notify your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach pain, with or without vomiting. 
• People who have kidney problems and experience vomiting with Victoza may experience dehydration, which can worsen kidney problems.
• Victoza can cause gallbladder problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. 

Jardiance warnings

• Jardiance increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening condition. The risk is higher in people with Type 1 diabetes or certain other risk factors. Jardiance is not FDA approved for use in patients with Type 1 diabetes.
• Jardiance can result in dehydration, which may lead to complications such as kidney injury, hospitalization, and dialysis. You may be at higher risk if you have kidney disease, take a loop diuretic, follow a low-sodium diet, or if you are an older adult.
• Jardiance may cause serious UTIs, which should be immediately treated by a healthcare provider.
• Genital yeast infections may occur in men or women. See a healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms. 
• Fournier’s Gangrene (necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum), a rare but life-threatening infection that requires emergency medical help, is associated with SGLT2 inhibitors like Jaridance. Get emergency medical help if you have a fever along with pain, redness, or swelling around the genitals or perineal area.
• Ask your healthcare professional about routine preventive foot care. SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Jardiance, increase the risk of lower limb amputation. See your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a diabetic foot infection, including pain, tenderness, sores, or ulcers. 

Can you take Victoza and Jardiance together?

Victoza and Jardiance can be prescribed together in appropriate cases to improve blood sugar management. However, combining these medications may increase the risk of side effects, requiring close monitoring of blood glucose levels and overall health. Consult your healthcare provider to ensure the safety and effectiveness of using both medications.