Written on October 30, 2023 by Lori Mulligan, MPH. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
Table of contents
- SGLT2 Inhibitors
- About GLP-1
- Once Weekly Semaglutide vs. Once Daily Empagliflozin
- Reduction In Hospitalization For Heart Failure: Jardiance® Is The Better Option
- Oral Ozempic® vs. Jardiance®
- Everlywell Offers Test For HbA1c And A Comprehensive Weight Loss Program
- Related Content
Jardiance® and Ozempic® are both used to treat type 2 diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors are the mechanism of action for Jardiance® and GLP-1 is the mechanism of action for Ozempic®. The active ingredient in Jardiance® is empagliflozin, and the active ingredient in Ozempic® is semaglutide. Read on for a more in-depth comparison of Jardiance® and Ozempic®.
Table of Contents
SGLT2 Inhibitors
Glucose in the bloodstream passes through the kidneys, where it can either be excreted in the urine or reabsorbed back into the blood. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) works in the kidney to reabsorb glucose. A new class of medication, SGLT2 inhibitors, blocks this action, causing excess glucose to be eliminated in the urine.
By increasing the amount of glucose excreted in the urine, people can see improved blood glucose, some weight loss, and small decreases in blood pressure. Jardiance® is an SGLT2 inhibitor that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors are also known to help improve outcomes in people with heart disease, kidney disease, and heart failure.
For this reason, these medications are often used in people with type 2 diabetes who also have heart or kidney problems. Because they increase glucose levels in the urine, the most common side effects include genital yeast infections.
About GLP-1
GLP-1 is a natural hormone in the body that helps maintain glucose levels. The use of GLP-1 receptor agonists is another strategy to help use this hormone to improve blood glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 medications can result in large benefits for lowering blood glucose and body weight. Some agents in this class have also been shown to prevent heart disease.[1]
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Once Weekly Semaglutide vs. Once Daily Empagliflozin
No trials have directly compared once-weekly (OW) semaglutide with once-daily (OD) empagliflozin in type 2 diabetes (T2D).
The researchers compared the efficacy of OW semaglutide vs. OD empagliflozin in patients with T2D that is inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy.
The primary outcomes were change from baseline to end-of-treatment (~1 year) in HbA1c and body weight.
The results showed that baseline characteristics were similar between OW semaglutide and OD empagliflozin. Their analyses revealed that OW semaglutide significantly reduced mean HbA1c and body weight as compared to OD empagliflozin.
This indirect comparison suggests that OW semaglutide provides superior reductions in HbA1c and body weight vs OD empagliflozin in patients with T2D when added to metformin monotherapy.[2]
Reduction In Hospitalization For Heart Failure: Jardiance® Is The Better Option
One class of drugs, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, has a clear benefit over the other class, known as GLP-1 drugs, in reducing hospitalization for heart failure, the study found.
SGLT2 inhibitors are prescription oral medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, which includes empagliflozin (Jardiance®). The study compared these drugs with injected diabetes drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide (Ozempic®).
In prior studies, it was found that these two classes of drugs showed heart and kidney benefits besides controlling blood sugar.[3]
The researchers analyzed data from six previous trials of GLP-1 (including a total of 51,762 subjects) and four trials of SGLT2 inhibitors (including 33,457 subjects). Both drug classes were equally effective in reducing combined major adverse cardiac events such as heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease, compared to people with diabetes who were not taking the drugs.[3]
The rate of hospitalization for heart failure was 32% less in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors compared to patients not taking the drugs, especially in those with more severe cardiovascular disease risk. In contrast, people taking GLP-1 drugs did not have a reduced rate of hospitalization for heart failure compared with people who had diabetes but were not taking the drugs. Both classes of drugs demonstrated kidney benefit; neither class was superior.[3]
Oral Ozempic® vs. Jardiance®
Although not available yet in the United States, an oral form of Ozempic® is available in Europe.
Compared to Jardiance®, the highest dose of oral Ozempic® (14 mg) lowered A1C more than Jardiance: 1.3% decrease vs. 0.8% decrease. Average weight loss was about 10 pounds for oral Ozempic® and eight pounds for Jardiance®.[4]
Everlywell Offers Test For HbA1c And A Comprehensive Weight Loss Program
The home-collection hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test is an easy way to measure how well you have been maintaining your blood sugar levels for the past 90 days. Routine monitoring with HbA1c testing is important for individuals who have been diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes, or gestational diabetes, as blood sugar levels can fluctuate throughout the day.
Everlywell’s online GLP-1 telehealth option pairs GLP-1 prescriptions with regular clinician care, lab testing, and support for related conditions.
Specifically, this program offers:
- Access to GLP-1 prescriptions for qualified candidates
- Regular 1:1 virtual visits with a licensed clinician
- Quarterly at-home lab tests or supplements
- Lifestyle content and support for health conditions
Related Content
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How to Qualify for Ozempic® for Weight Loss: Key Points to Know
References
- What are my options for type 2 diabetes medications. American Diabetes Association. https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/medication/oral-other-injectable-diabetes-medications. Accessed on 10/9/2023.
- Lingvay I, Capehorn MS, Catarig AM, Johansen P, Lawson J, Sandberg A, Shaw R, Paine A. Efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide vs empagliflozin added to metformin in type 2 diabetes: Patient-level meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Dec 1;105(12):e4593-604. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa577. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827435/.
- Two types of diabetes drugs similarly effective in reducing heart and kidney disease. https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2020/two-types-of-diabetes-drugs-similarly-effective-in-reducing-heart-and-kidney-disease. Endocrine Society. Accessed on 10/9/2023.
- Possible breakthrough for Type 2s: The first GLP-1 pill is submitted for approval to the FDA and EMA. diaTribe Foundation. https://diatribe.org/possible-breakthrough-type-2s-first-glp-1-pill-submitted-approval-fda-and-ema. Accessed on 10/9/2023.