Victoza (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are brand-name subcutaneous injections. They’re both prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. Victoza and Ozempic belong to the same drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
This article compares the main similarities and differences between Victoza and Ozempic. If you’re considering using either of these drugs, discussing this information with your doctor can help you decide whether one of these treatments may be right for you.
Key differences between Victoza and Ozempic
These are a few of the main differences between Victoza and Ozempic:
- Dosage: Victoza is injected once per day, while Ozempic is injected once per week. (See the “Dosages, forms, and administration” section.)
- Use in children: Victoza is approved to help regulate blood sugar levels in children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is not approved for use in children. (See the “Uses of Victoza vs. Ozempic” section.)
- Additional use: Ozempic is approved for a use that Victoza isn’t, which is to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure, and death from cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic (long-term) kidney disease.
This section contains answers to some common questions about Victoza and Ozempic.
How do Victoza and Ozempic compare with Trulicity and Saxenda?
Victoza, Ozempic, Trulicity, and Saxenda are similar medications. They all belong to the same drug class: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. And each of these drugs is given as a subcutaneous injection.
The following table compares some key similarities and differences among these four drugs.
| Victoza | Ozempic | Trulicity | Saxenda | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | semaglutide | dulaglutide | liraglutide |
| Typical dosing frequency | once daily | once weekly | once weekly | once daily |
| Approved to help regulate blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes? | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Approved to help regulate blood sugar levels in certain children with type 2 diabetes? | yes | no | yes | no |
| Approved to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease? | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Approved to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure, and death from cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease? | no | yes | no | no |
| Approved to aid in weight loss in certain people? | no | no | no | yes |
If you have additional questions about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are Victoza and Ozempic approved for weight loss?
No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Victoza and Ozempic for weight loss. However, both drugs may cause weight loss in some people. Moderate weight loss was commonly seen in clinical trials of Victoza and Ozempic.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe Victoza or Ozempic off-label for weight loss. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what the FDA has approved it for. However, you shouldn’t use Victoza or Ozempic for weight loss unless your doctor recommends it.
Victoza contains the active ingredient liraglutide. Another brand-name drug called Saxenda also contains liraglutide. The FDA has approved Saxenda to aid weight loss in certain people.
Similarly, Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Another brand-name drug called Wegovy also contains semaglutide. Wegovy is FDA approved to aid weight loss and lower cardiovascular risks in certain people.
If you have questions about Victoza, Ozempic, or weight management, talk with your doctor.
Switching between Victoza and Ozempic is possible. You may have to wait a certain amount of time between using the two medications. This is because Ozempic is taken once per week and Victoza is taken once per day.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Victoza and Ozempic, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently.
It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
How much Victoza or Ozempic costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy. You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Victoza and Ozempic. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.)
Both Victoza and Ozempic are brand-name drugs. They’re not currently available in generic forms. Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics. To learn about generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep in mind that you’ll need pen needles to administer Victoza or Ozempic. If you’re prescribed Victoza, you’ll need to buy pen needles separately at your pharmacy. If you’re prescribed Ozempic, pen needles are included with the drug.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
This section contains details about the effectiveness of Victoza and Ozempic.
Review of studies: Here’s a brief look at whether Victoza or Ozempic was found to be more effective for treating certain conditions.
Separate trials of the two drugs were compared in a
More comparison trials are needed to verify these findings. Keep in mind that trials and reviews of trials may not apply to your individual health situation. Be sure to talk with your doctor to determine whether either Victoza or Ozempic may be right for you.
Prescribing information: For details about how these drugs performed in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Victoza and Ozempic. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines: Another way to determine whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective.
Victoza and Ozempic belong to the same drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists are recommended as a treatment option for certain people with type 2 diabetes in guidelines from the American Diabetes Association.
Here’s information about the generic status for Victoza and Ozempic, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Victoza | Ozempic | |
|---|---|---|
| Generic available | yes | no |
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | semaglutide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
The FDA has approved Victoza and Ozempic as follows:
- Both Victoza and Ozempic are FDA approved to:
- help regulate blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise
- reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Victoza is also FDA approved to:
- help regulate blood sugar levels in children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes
- Ozempic is also FDA approved to:
- reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure, and death from cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Victoza or Ozempic and children
Victoza is FDA approved to help regulate blood sugar levels in adults and children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic, on the other hand, is not approved for use in children.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Victoza and Ozempic for the conditions both drugs treat. In the following tables, mg/mL refers to the amount of medication in milligrams per milliliter of solution, and mg refers to milligrams.
To learn about the dosages for the other uses these drugs are approved for individually, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
Victoza and Ozempic are used to help regulate blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
| Victoza for type 2 diabetes | Ozempic for type 2 diabetes | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | subcutaneous injection | subcutaneous injection |
| Strength | 6 mg/mL | • 2 mg/3 mL • 4 mg/3 mL • 8 mg/3 mL |
| Dose | 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg | 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg |
| Frequency | once daily | once weekly |
| Given by | self | self |
Your pharmacist or another healthcare professional will teach you how to give yourself injections. (They can also teach a caregiver to inject these drugs.) For more information on how to inject either drug, refer to the Victoza website and Ozempic website.
Your doctor can recommend a diet and exercise plan that’s right for you during Victoza or Ozempic treatment.
Dosage for certain cardiovascular problems
Victoza and Ozempic are used to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
| Victoza for certain cardiovascular problems | Ozempic for certain cardiovascular problems | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | subcutaneous injection | subcutaneous injection |
| Strength | 6 mg/mL | • 2 mg/3 mL • 4 mg/3 mL • 8 mg/3 mL |
| Dose | 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg | 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg |
| Frequency | once daily | once weekly |
| Given by | self | self |
Your pharmacist or another healthcare professional will teach you how to give yourself injections. (They can also teach a caregiver to inject these drugs.) For more information on how to inject either drug, refer to the Victoza website and Ozempic website.
Both Victoza and Ozempic belong to the same class of drugs. Some of the side effects of Victoza are the same as those of Ozempic, though some differ. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned here.
For more details about side effects of the two medications, refer to the Victoza prescribing information and Ozempic prescribing information.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Victoza and Ozempic. The table may also include mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about in some cases.
| Mild side effects | Victoza | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
| vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| constipation | ✓ | ✓ |
| indigestion | ✓ | ✓ |
| loss of appetite | ✓ | ✓ |
| abdominal pain | ✓ | |
| flatulence (gas) | ✓ | |
| mild allergic reaction* | ✓ | ✓ |
An allergic reaction is possible after using Victoza or Ozempic. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Victoza or Ozempic, but it has occurred since both drugs were approved.
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Victoza and Ozempic.
| Serious side effects | Victoza | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| risk of thyroid cancer | ✓ | ✓ |
| pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) | ✓ | ✓ |
| hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) | ✓ | ✓ |
| diabetic retinopathy (a type of eye damage due to diabetes) | ✓ | |
| gallbladder disease, including gallstones or cholecystitis | ✓ | ✓ |
| acute (sudden) kidney injury due to dehydration | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Victoza and Ozempic have a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Precautions for Victoza and Ozempic” section.
An allergic reaction is possible after using Victoza or Ozempic. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Victoza or Ozempic, but it has occurred since both drugs were approved.
If you have serious side effects while using Victoza or Ozempic, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Victoza and Ozempic may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. Some of these precautions are mentioned here.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Victoza and Ozempic have a boxed warning for an increased risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Victoza and Ozempic are both a type of drug called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 receptor agonists have been found to increase the risk of thyroid tumors in animal studies. However, it’s not known whether these drugs might cause thyroid tumors in humans.
Cases of thyroid cancer have been reported in people using Victoza. But it’s unclear whether the drug was the cause.
Due to the risk of thyroid cancer, doctors typically will not prescribe Victoza or Ozempic if:
- you have or have had a type of cancer called medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
- you have a rare endocrine condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) syndrome
- someone in your immediate family has or has had MTC
Your doctor can tell you more about this boxed warning if you’re considering treatment with Victoza or Ozempic.
If your doctor prescribes Victoza or Ozempic, let them know right away if you develop symptoms of thyroid cancer while using either drug. Symptoms can include a mass in your neck, voice hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. Your doctor can recommend the right treatment plan for you.
Precautions
In addition to boxed warnings, Victoza and Ozempic have other warnings.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Victoza or Ozempic.
| Precaution | Victoza | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have gastroparesis | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a planned surgery | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have problems with your pancreas | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have kidney problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a history of diabetic retinopathy | ✓ | |
| if you have liver problems | ✓ |
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.