Metformin and semaglutide, higher generally known as Ozempic, are common prescription medicines which might be used to assist individuals handle their diabetes.
Many individuals could also be prescribed metformin or Ozempic alone, however generally a physician might prescribe each medication without delay as a form of mixture remedy.
As a result of these medication work in numerous methods and their use collectively is comparatively new, you might have questions on how they work together, what the unwanted side effects could also be, and the way properly they work collectively.
This text will discover what that you must find out about taking metformin and Ozempic collectively.
How do metformin and Ozempic differ?
To assist perceive why you could be prescribed one drug, the opposite, or each without delay, it’s vital to know a bit bit about every treatment and the way they differ.
Ozempic and metformin are completely different in a number of methods. To start out with, metformin is a every day (or twice-daily) oral treatment that normally is available in capsule type, whereas Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable drug.
The 2 medication have completely different energetic elements and act on the physique in numerous methods, too.
Metformin
Metformin is among the many most prescribed medicines on this planet. Metformin’s commonest use is as a first-line therapy 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 devour 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 some pounds in some circumstances.
Ozempic
Ozempic is the model title for the commonest drug that makes use of the energetic ingredient semaglutide, which is predominately used to assist handle diabetes.
Different drug corporations additionally make drugs with the identical energetic ingredient as Ozempic (these embrace 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 manage 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 in the marketplace in the USA since 1994. Each medication have seen vital will increase of their use since their introduction.
Why would I be prescribed metformin and Ozempic?
The first motive 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 take a look at (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months). The consequences are fairly vital.
Scientific trials have established that, at its most dose, metformin will help lower A1C ranges by 1.5 p.c, whereas a mean dose of Ozempic can lower A1C by 1.4 p.c.
In the event you’re presently on metformin and it’s not offering its full advantages anymore, your healthcare supplier may take into account prescribing Ozempic. This could possibly be to evaluate how properly it really works by itself as an alternative of metformin, or to make use of it as a further therapy alongside together with your current metformin routine.
There are different causes it’s possible you’ll be prescribed metformin or Ozempic. Nevertheless, these makes use of are usually off-label (not authorized by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration [FDA]).
Each metformin and Ozempic have been proven to assist with weight reduction along with their major operate of decreasing 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 issue sustaining a wholesome weight.
Each medication are additionally established to lower the chance of main cardiovascular occasions, similar 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?
Typically, the reply is sure. Scientific trials have established that it’s typically secure to take metformin and Ozempic collectively.
Not solely is it typically secure, however it’s truly turning into widespread to prescribe these medication collectively as a mix remedy, since they complement each other in serving to handle blood sugar ranges.
The medicines additionally will 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 strategy to handle blood sugar ranges, particularly for individuals with sort 2 diabetes.
What unwanted side 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 unwanted side effects, and taking them collectively might enhance the chance of sure hostile and negative effects.
Each metformin and Ozempic could cause gastrointestinal signs similar to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
See extra in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Taking these two medication collectively can enhance the chance and severity of the unwanted side 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 vital to pay attention to the indicators of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Low blood sugar ranges could cause the next signs:
- Starvation
- Dizziness
- Nervousness or irritability
- Perspiring (sweating)
- Tremors
- Tingling sensation within the lips
- Fast heartbeat
- Fatigue or weak spot
- Imaginative and prescient alterations, like blurriness
- Confusion
In the event you expertise any of those signs, it’s vital to verify your blood sugar ranges — and when you’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 unwanted side effects which might be very uncommon, however vital to find out about.
For metformin, these embrace vitamin B12 deficiency and lactic acidosis, a doubtlessly deadly situation by which lactic acid builds up within the physique.
See extra in: Can Metformin Trigger Lactic Acidosis?
For Ozempic, this contains thyroid tumors.
Scientific trials have proven that taking each at medicines as soon as doesn’t enhance your general threat of experiencing severe unwanted side effects.
It’s vital to learn any paperwork that include your prescription and to speak about every prescription drug and its potential unwanted side effects together with your physician.
You possibly can learn extra in regards to the unwanted side 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 completely different, and outcomes might fluctuate from individual to individual. Additionally, neither drug ensures weight reduction, neither is both drug FDA-approved for that objective.
Can you’re taking metformin mixture medication with Ozempic?
Mixture medication for individuals with sort 2 diabetes usually embrace metformin paired with one other drug that works in a different way. This strategy enhances the general effectiveness of the therapy, as every drug targets completely different points of diabetes administration, thereby bettering general blood sugar management.
Including an Ozempic prescription on prime of a metformin mixture drug ought to solely be achieved in session with a physician, as every of the three (or extra) energetic elements can have its personal set of unwanted side effects, interactions, and contraindications (conditions by which the medication shouldn’t be used as a result of it would trigger hurt).
Is metformin safer than Ozempic?
Metformin is commonly thought of to be among the many most secure and most studied medication for serving to individuals handle their blood sugar.
Whereas metformin has been in widespread use longer than Ozempic, every drug has undergone in depth, rigorous testing.
Nevertheless, every particular person’s threat elements and their very own expertise of unwanted side effects will differ. So it’s vital to work together with your physician to know how every drug’s security profile, dangers, and unwanted side effects stack up towards its advantages, all inside the context of your private well being historical past and targets.
Learn extra in: Is Metformin Protected?
What meals needs to be averted when taking metformin and Ozempic collectively?
Meals that may trigger an upset abdomen are finest to keep away from when taking metformin and Ozempic collectively. These embrace greasy, fatty meals and meals excessive in saturated fats (similar to butter, fatty cuts of meat, and cheese).
It’s typically finest to keep away from refined and extremely processed meals as properly (similar to white bread and packaged items), and you may additionally be suggested to keep away from consuming alcohol when taking metformin and Ozempic.
Observe all pointers and directions on any prescription drugs you take. It’s all the time a good suggestion to speak together with your physician in regards to the weight loss program it is best to eat and any meals, drinks, or behaviors it is best to keep away from when beginning a brand new prescription.
You possibly can 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 vital to do not forget that utilizing metformin and Ozempic collectively for weight reduction is an off-label objective that isn’t FDA-approved, so it’s particularly vital to work together 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 some pounds, there are FDA-approved weight-loss medication which might be secure for individuals with diabetes that your physician may prescribe.
Scientific trials have proven that metformin alone results in a mean weight lack of about 5 p.c 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 lead to a mean weight lack of 14.9 p.c of physique weight.
Be taught extra in: Metformin and Weight Loss: Can a Capsule Assist You Lose Weight? and Can Ozempic Assist You Lose Weight?
Closing ideas
Taking metformin and Ozempic collectively marks an evolving strategy in diabetes administration, highlighting the advantages of mixture remedy. This pairing, beneath medical supervision, presents a promising possibility for people who find themselves not capable of handle their blood sugar ranges with single-drug remedies.
The potential added benefits in weight administration and cardiovascular well being are vital, notably given the associated nature of those well being points with diabetes.
Nevertheless, it’s vital to do not forget that every particular person’s response to treatment can fluctuate. The choice to make use of these medication together needs to be made in shut session with healthcare suppliers, bearing in mind private well being historical past and particular medical wants.
Prompt subsequent articles: Every part You Have to Know About Metformin and Every part You Have to Know About Ozempic.
