Metformin and Ozempic are widespread prescription medicines which are used to assist individuals handle their diabetes.
Many individuals could also be prescribed metformin or Ozempic alone, however typically a physician might prescribe each medication without delay as a sort of mixture remedy.
As a result of these medication work in numerous methods and their use collectively is comparatively new, you could have questions on how they work together, what the negative effects could also be, and the way nicely they work collectively.
This text will discover what you should find out about taking metformin and Ozempic collectively.
How do metformin and Ozempic differ?
To assist perceive why you is likely to be prescribed one drug, the opposite, or each without delay, it’s essential to know a bit bit about every remedy and the way they differ.
Ozempic and metformin are totally different in a number of methods. To begin with, metformin is a day by day (or twice-daily) oral remedy that normally is available in capsule type, whereas Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable drug.
The 2 medication have totally different energetic substances and act on the physique in numerous methods, too.
Metformin
Metformin is among the many most prescribed medicines on the earth. Metformin’s commonest use is as a first-line remedy for sort 2 diabetes.
Metformin reduces the quantity of glucose launched by the liver, decreases the quantity of glucose absorbed within the intestines, and will increase insulin sensitivity, permitting particular person cells within the physique to eat extra sugar and use that sugar extra effectively.
It has additionally been demonstrated to have a variety of different well being advantages. More and more, metformin is being prescribed for individuals with:
Metformin has additionally been proven to assist individuals drop pounds in some circumstances.
Ozempic
Ozempic is the model identify for the commonest drug that makes use of the energetic ingredient semaglutide, which is predominately used to assist handle diabetes. Ozempic is made by the pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk.
Different drug corporations additionally make drugs with the identical energetic ingredient as Ozempic (these embody the model names Rybelsus and Wegovy).
Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, agonist. It mimics hormones within the physique that assist to control blood sugar ranges.
Ozempic will increase the physique’s pure insulin manufacturing, decreases the liver’s manufacturing of glucose, slows the emptying of meals out of the abdomen into the small intestines, and reduces urge for food, which tends to result in weight reduction.
Whereas Ozempic is a comparatively new drug, having been FDA-approved in 2017, metformin has been available on the market in the US since 1994. Each medication have seen important will increase of their use since their introduction.
Why would I be prescribed metformin and Ozempic?
The first cause these medication are prescribed is to assist handle blood sugar ranges.
Metformin and Ozempic assist most individuals decrease their common blood sugar ranges as measured by an HbA1c (A1C) blood check (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months). The results are fairly important.
Medical trials have established that, at its most dose, metformin might help lower A1C ranges by 1.5%, whereas a mean dose of Ozempic can lower A1C by 1.4%.
In the event you’re at present on metformin and it’s not offering its full advantages anymore, your healthcare supplier may think about prescribing Ozempic. This might be to evaluate how nicely it really works as a sole remedy as an alternative of metformin, or to make use of alongside your present metformin routine as a supplementary remedy.
There are different causes it’s possible you’ll be prescribed metformin or Ozempic. Nonetheless, these makes use of are typically off-label (not authorised by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration [FDA]).
Each metformin and Ozempic have been proven to assist with weight reduction along with their main operate of reducing common blood sugar ranges. Whereas neither drug is FDA-approved for weight reduction, it may be a useful impact, particularly for individuals who have sort 2 diabetes and problem sustaining a wholesome weight.
Each medication are additionally established to lower the chance of main cardiovascular occasions, comparable to coronary heart assaults.
Whereas many of those off-label results could also be useful, metformin and Ozempic are typically not prescribed solely for these causes.
Are you able to safely take metformin and Ozempic collectively?
Most often, the reply is sure. Medical trials have established that it’s typically secure to take metformin and Ozempic collectively.
Not solely is it typically secure, however it’s really turning into frequent to prescribe these medication collectively as a mixture remedy, since they complement each other in serving to handle blood sugar ranges.
The medicines additionally might help with cardiovascular well being and weight reduction in ways in which might reinforce each other.
Taking metformin and Ozempic collectively will be an efficient approach to handle blood sugar ranges, particularly for individuals with sort 2 diabetes.
What negative effects are there to taking each metformin and Ozempic?
Whereas each of those drugs will be efficient at controlling blood glucose ranges, they will even have negative effects, and taking them collectively might improve the chance of sure opposed and negative effects.
Each metformin and Ozempic may cause gastrointestinal signs comparable to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Taking these two medication collectively can improve the probability and severity of the negative effects it’s possible you’ll expertise.
In case you are taking metformin and Ozempic collectively — or in case you are prescribed them along with insulin — it’s particularly essential to pay attention to the indicators of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Low blood sugar ranges may cause the next signs:
- Starvation
- Dizziness
- Anxiousness or irritability
- Perspiring (sweating)
- Tremors
- Tingling sensation within the lips
- Speedy heartbeat
- Fatigue or weak spot
- Imaginative and prescient alterations, like blurriness
- Confusion
In the event you expertise any of those signs, it’s essential to test your blood sugar ranges — and for those who’re low, to shortly carry your blood sugar again as much as a traditional vary by consuming or consuming one thing with carbohydrates.
Metformin and Ozempic every have their very own potential negative effects which are very uncommon, however essential to find out about.
For metformin, these embody vitamin B12 deficiency and lactic acidosis, a doubtlessly deadly situation during which lactic acid builds up within the physique.
For Ozempic, this consists of thyroid tumors.
Medical trials have proven that taking each at medicines as soon as doesn’t improve your total threat of experiencing severe negative effects.
It’s essential to learn any paperwork that include your prescription and to speak about every prescription drug and its potential negative effects along with your physician.
You may learn extra in regards to the negative effects of every drug right here:
Does Ozempic work higher than metformin?
As a result of metformin and Ozempic work in numerous methods, neither essentially works higher than the opposite.
Relying on the dose, both metformin or Ozempic might decrease blood sugar ranges greater than the opposite drug.
Ozempic has typically been proven to assist individuals lose extra weight than metformin, however everybody’s expertise is totally different, and weight reduction is just not assured by both drug — neither is both drug FDA-approved for that goal.
Can you’re taking metformin mixture medication with Ozempic?
Mixture medication for individuals with sort 2 diabetes typically embody metformin paired with one other drug that works otherwise. This strategy enhances the general effectiveness of the remedy, as every drug targets totally different elements of diabetes administration, thereby bettering total blood sugar management.
Including an Ozempic prescription on high of a metformin mixture drug ought to solely be accomplished in session with a physician, as every of the three (or extra) energetic substances can have its personal set of negative effects, interactions, and contraindications (conditions during which the medication shouldn’t be used as a result of it’d trigger hurt).
Is metformin safer than Ozempic?
Metformin is usually thought-about to be among the many most secure and most studied medication for serving to individuals handle their blood sugar.
Whereas metformin has been in frequent use longer than Ozempic, every drug has undergone intensive, rigorous testing.
Nonetheless, every particular person’s threat components and their very own expertise of negative effects will differ. So it’s essential to work along with your physician to know how every drug’s security profile, dangers, and negative effects stack up in opposition to its advantages, all throughout the context of your private well being historical past and objectives.
What meals needs to be averted when taking metformin and Ozempic collectively?
Meals that may trigger an upset abdomen are greatest to keep away from when taking metformin and Ozempic collectively. These embody greasy, fatty meals and meals excessive in saturated fats (comparable to butter, fatty cuts of meat, and cheese).
It’s typically greatest to avoid refined and extremely processed meals as nicely (comparable to white bread and packaged items), and you may additionally be suggested to keep away from consuming alcohol when taking metformin and Ozempic.
Comply with all tips and directions on any prescription drugs you take. It’s at all times a good suggestion to speak along with your physician in regards to the food plan you must eat and any meals, drinks, or behaviors you must keep away from when beginning a brand new prescription.
You may learn extra about which meals to keep away from right here:
How a lot weight are you able to lose on metformin and Ozempic collectively?
It’s essential to do not forget that utilizing metformin and Ozempic collectively for weight reduction is an off-label goal that isn’t FDA-approved, so it’s particularly essential to work along with your physician to know the advantages and dangers.
In the event you’re prescribed metformin and Ozempic on your sort 2 diabetes however want to drop pounds, there are FDA-approved weight-loss medication which are secure for individuals with diabetes that your physician may prescribe.
Medical trials have proven that metformin alone results in a mean weight lack of about 5% of physique weight for roughly a 3rd of people that take the drug, together with lack of about 12 to fifteen kilos in individuals with out diabetes.
For people who find themselves obese or overweight, Ozempic has been demonstrated to end in a mean weight lack of 14.9% of physique weight.
Closing ideas
Taking metformin and Ozempic collectively marks an evolving strategy in diabetes administration, highlighting the advantages of mixture remedy. This pairing, underneath medical supervision, provides a promising choice for people who find themselves not in a position to handle their blood sugar ranges with single-drug remedies.
The potential added benefits in weight administration and cardiovascular well being are important, notably given the associated nature of those well being points with diabetes.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to do not forget that every particular person’s response to remedy can fluctuate. The choice to make use of these medication together needs to be made in shut session with healthcare suppliers, making an allowance for private well being historical past and particular medical wants.
