There are medications available for treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many of these products are quite similar and differ from one another only in subtle ways. However, based on your medical history, one medication may be much more suitable for you than another. Two blockbuster drugs you may have heard of for treating diabetes are Jardiance and Victoza. One or both medications may be suitable for you, but which one is the right choice?
What is Jardiance?
Jardiance (generic name: empagliflozin) is a diabetes medicine, taken orally, that helps control and modulate blood sugar levels. The active ingredient in Jardiance, empagliflozin, works by assisting kidney metabolism to help the body get rid of excess glucose from the bloodstream.
Jardiance is often used together with a good diet and plenty of exercise to improve control of blood sugar levels in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Jardiance is also suitable as a medication to lower the risk of death from heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes who also live with heart disease. Jardiance is not suitable for treating type 1 diabetes.
What is Victoza?
Victoza (generic name: liraglutide), available in dosages of 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg, is an injectable prescription medicine that is used, in conjunction with a good diet and plenty of exercise, to lower blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics who are 10 years of age and older. It’s also used to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in adults who suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus and who are also living with heart disease or a history of heart disease.
Victoza is not suitable for patients with type 1 diabetes or people suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not clear if Victoza is a safe and effective medication for lowering blood sugar in children under the age of 10. It is important to consult with a prescribing physician to ensure Victoza is safe for you to use.
What is the Difference Between Jardiance vs. Victoza?
At first glance, there are many similarities between Victoza and Jardiance . Both are medications that are used to control blood sugar levels and are indicated as preventative treatment against serious cardiovascular events (like heart attack and stroke) in patients with heart problems or a history of heart problems. However, they are different medications based on their side effect profiles.
Side effects of Jardiance and Victoza that are similar include:
- dizziness,
- nausea, or upper respiratory tract infections.
Side effects of Jardiance that differ from Victoza include:
- dehydration,
- lightheadedness,
- weakness,
- yeast infection,
- low blood sugar,
- high cholesterol,
- joint pain,
- increased urination,
- urinary tract infection (UTI),
- thirst,
- low blood pressure (hypotension).
The side effects of Victoza that differ from Jardiance include:
- headache,
- vomiting,
- upset stomach,
- indigestion,
- loss of appetite,
- diarrhea,
- constipation,
- cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat),
- back pain,
- tired feeling,
- skin rash, or redness or the appearance of a rash at the site where the medicine was injected.
You should discuss these side effect profiles with your prescribing physician to ensure you are prescribed the medication that is most compatible with your medical history and your overall health picture.
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
