Ozempic^® Vs. Soliqua: Drug Comparison

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 kidney 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​.

Soliqua 100/33^® is a combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide, used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes who are inadequately managed with basal insulin or lixisenatide alone. Insulin glargine provides long-acting insulin to lower blood sugar levels, while lixisenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, slows digestion and reduces the liver's glucose production. Its FDA-approved indication is for the management of blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, in conjunction with diet and exercise. Soliqua 100/33 is available as a pre-filled injection pen, taken once daily within the hour prior before the first meal. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and low blood sugar. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease.

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

Insulin glargine: insulin analog

Lixisenatide: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

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

Soliqua 100/33 (insulin glargine and lixisenatide) is indicated:

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

• 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

• Typically taken as an injection once daily

• Comes in 3 mL single-patient-use pens that deliver 100 units insulin glargine and 33 mcg lixisenatide per mL

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

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Soliqua 100/33 include:

• Low blood sugar

• Nausea

• Inflammation of the nose and throat

• Diarrhea

• Upper respiratory tract infection

• Headache

• 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

• During episodes of low blood sugar

• Serious hypersensitivity to insulin glargine, lixisenatide, or any of the excipients in Soliqua 100/33

• Drug interactions: drugs that affect glucose metabolism, antiadrenergic drugs(e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine), lixisenatide delays gastric emptying which may impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• 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

• Anaphylaxis and serious hypersensitivity reactions

• Pancreatitis

• Never sharea Soliqua 100/33 prefilled pen between patients, even if the needle is changed

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

• Overdose due to medication errors

• Low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Immunogenicity

• Low blood potassium

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

• Acute gallbladder disease

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 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.

*This information is from the label for brand name Soliqua 100/33^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Insulin glargine and lixisenatide, the active ingredients in Soliqua 100/33, may also be the active ingredients in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredients insulin glargine and lixisenatide.