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Ozempic vs. Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR

Are Ozempic and Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR the Same Thing?

Ozempic (semaglutide) Injection and Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR (metformin hydrochloride) are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR (metformin) are sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Ozempic and Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR belong to different drug classes. Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and Fortamet is an oral diabetes medicine.

Side effects of Ozempic and Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR that are similar include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach/abdominal upset or pain.

Side effects of Ozempic that are different from Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR include constipation.

Side effects of Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR that are different from Ozempic include headache, muscle pain, gas, weakness, or a metallic taste in the mouth.

Ozempic may interact with insulin secretagogues or insulin, and other oral medications taken at the same time.

Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR may interact with isoniazid, diuretics (water pills), steroids, phenothiazines, thyroid medicines, birth control pills and other hormones, seizure medicines, diet pills; medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies; alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, sulfa drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), beta-blockers, probenecid, furosemide, nifedipine, cimetidine or ranitidine, amiloride or triamterene, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, trimethoprim, or vancomycin.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ozempic?

Common side effects of Ozempic include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR?

Common side effects of Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR include:

  • headache,
  • muscle pain,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • stomach upset or pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • gas,
  • weakness, or
  • a metallic taste in the mouth

Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR does not usually cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar may occur if Fortamet is prescribed with other anti-diabetic medications. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Fortamet including shortness of breath, swelling or rapid weight gain, fever, body aches, or flu symptoms.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) Injection is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What Is Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR?

Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR is an oral diabetes medicine for people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Metformin is sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

What Drugs Interact With Ozempic?

Ozempic may interact with an insulin secretagogue or insulin, and other oral medications taken at the same time. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Ozempic; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if Ozempic passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR?

Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may result if you take Fortamet with drugs that raise blood sugar, such as: isoniazid, diuretics (water pills), steroids, phenothiazines, thyroid medicine, birth control pills and other hormones, seizure medicines, and diet pills, or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may result if you take Fortamet with drugs that lower blood sugar, such as: alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, sulfa drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), beta-blockers, or probenecid. It may also interact with furosemide, nifedipine, cimetidine or ranitidine, amiloride or triamterene, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, trimethoprim, or vancomycin. During pregnancy, Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR should be used only when prescribed. Your doctor may direct you to use insulin instead of this product during your pregnancy. This medication can cause changes in the menstrual cycle (promote ovulation) and increase the risk of becoming pregnant. Consult your doctor about the use of reliable birth control. This medication passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

How Should Ozempic Be Taken?

The initial dose of Ozempic is 0.25mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, increase the dose to 0.5 mg once weekly. If after at least 4 weeks additional glycemic control is needed, increase to 1mg once weekly.

How Should Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glucophage XR Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR should be taken once daily. Dosage is individualized based on effectiveness and tolerance. The maximum recommended daily dose is 2500 mg.

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