Byetta Vs. Ozempic®: Drug Comparison

Byetta^® (exenatide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin secretion, slowing stomach emptying, and reducing glucagon release. Its FDA-approved indication is for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, typically alongside diet and exercise. It is not approved for use in type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Byetta is available as a twice-daily injectable solution. Most common side effects include nausea, low blood sugar, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling jittery, dizziness, headache, indigestion, constipation, and weakness. Nausea usually decreases over time. Byetta has been associated with a risk of pancreatitis and should be used cautiously with other medications that affect blood sugar levels.

Ozempic^® (semaglutide) is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in individuals with established heart disease, and to reduce the risk of kdiney problems in certain populations. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which increases insulin secretion, decreases glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying. Administered once weekly, Ozempic is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes diet and exercise. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and it should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis​.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Byetta (exenatide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Ozempic (semaglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease

• To reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease

• Typically taken as an injection twice daily

• Comes in single-patient-use prefilled pens that deliver 5 mcg or 10 mcg per dose

• Typically taken as an injection once weekly

• Comes in single-patient-use pens that deliver 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg per injection

Most common (≥5%) and occurring more frequently than placebo in clinical trials:

• Nausea (usually decreases over time)

• Low blood sugar

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Feeling jittery

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Indigestion

• Constipation

• Weakness

Postmarketing reports with exenatide of increased international normalized ratio (INR) with concomitant use of warfarin, sometimes with bleeding

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• History of severe hypersensitivity to exenatide or any of the excipients in Byetta

• History of drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia from exenatide products

• Drug interactions: orally administered medications, warfarin

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Ozempic

• Drug interactions: Ozempic delays gastric emptying and may impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Never share a Byetta pen between patients, even if the needle is changed

• Acute pancreatitis

• Low blood sugar with concomitant use of insulin secretagogues or insulin

• Acute kidney injury

• Severe gastrointestinal disease

• Immunogenicity: Patients may develop antibodies to exenatide

• Hypersensitivity

• Drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetic retinopathy complications

• Never share an Ozempic pen between patients, even if the needle is changed

• Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Females and males of reproductive potential: Discontinue Ozempic in women at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the long washout period for semaglutide

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

In rodents, semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Ozempic causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Ozempic is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Byetta^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Exenatide, the active ingredient in Byetta, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient exenatide.

*This information is from the label for brand name Ozempic^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient semaglutide.