Humalog Vs. Ozempic®: Drug Comparison

Insulin is a vital hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production. It is essential for individuals with type 1 diabetes, who cannot produce insulin naturally, and is also used in some cases of type 2 diabetes to help control blood glucose levels when other medications are insufficient. Insulin therapy involves the administration of synthetic or animal-derived insulin, through injections or insulin pumps, and requires careful monitoring to balance blood sugar levels and avoid low blood sugar. Side effects can include low blood sugar, weight gain, and, in some cases, allergic reactions at the injection site​.

Insulin has many different types and names. The information below is about brand name Humalog^®, which is a type of insulin lispro (a rapid-acting insulin).

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​.

Rapid acting human insulin analog

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

Humalog (insulin lispro) is indicated:

• To improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with 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

• See the Full Prescribing Information for important administration instructions

• Comes as an injection

• 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

Adverse reactions associated with Humalog include:

• Low blood sugar

• Allergic reactions

• Injection site reactions

• Abnormal distribution of fat

• Itch

• Rash

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

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• Do not use during episodes of low blood sugar

• Do not use in patients with hypersensitivity to insulin lispro or any of the excipients in Humalog

• Drug interactions: Drugs that may increase the risk of low blood sugar (antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog [e.g., octreotide], sulfonamide antibiotics), drugs that may decrease the blood glucose lowering effect (atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens [e.g., in oral contraceptives], protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents [e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline], thyroid hormones), drugs that may increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect (alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, pentamidine), drugs that may blunt the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, reserpine)

• 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 Humalog prefilled pen, cartridge, reusable pen compatible with Lilly 3 mL cartridges, or syringe between patients, even if the needle is changed

• High blood sugar or low blood sugar with changes in insulin regimen

• Low blood sugar: May be life-threatening

• Low blood sugar due to medication errors

• Hypersensitivity reactions: May be life-threatening

• Hypokalemia: May be life-threatening

• Fluid retention and heart failure with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

• High blood sugar and ketoacidosis due to insulin pump device malfunction

• 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 Humalog^®, which is a type of insulin lispro (a rapid-acting insulin). See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Insulin has many different types and names, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include insulin.

*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.