Farxiga vs. Ozempic
See how Farxiga and Ozempic compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Farxiga is a once-daily pill, while Ozempic is a once-weekly injection, so the day-to-day routine is very different.
Both drugs protect the heart and kidneys in type 2 diabetes, but Ozempic tends to cause more weight loss and Farxiga carries more genital infection risk.
Farxiga has a lower typical monthly list price than Ozempic before insurance.
Farxiga vs. Ozempic Drug Summary
Farxiga
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor that lowers blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove extra glucose through urine. It's approved for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, and is taken as an oral tablet once a day.
Ozempic
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that controls blood sugar by mimicking a gut hormone that boosts insulin release and slows digestion. It's approved for type 2 diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular and kidney risks, and is given as a once-weekly injection.
Farxiga vs. Ozempic Side Effects
Farxiga
Ozempic
Farxiga vs. Ozempic Dosage
Farxiga
Ozempic
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 5 mg once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 0.5 mg once weekly | Week 5 onward |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 4 weeks |
Farxiga
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 5 mg once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Ozempic
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 0.5 mg once weekly | Week 5 onward |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 4 weeks |
Farxiga vs. Ozempic Indications
Farxiga
Farxiga is FDA-approved to lower blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It also has approvals for heart failure, including in patients with preserved ejection fraction, and for slowing chronic kidney disease.
Type 2 diabetes blood sugar control (adults and children 10+)
Heart failure to reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization
Reduce heart failure hospitalization risk in diabetes with CV risk factors
Slow kidney function decline in chronic kidney disease
Ozempic
Ozempic is FDA-approved to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise. It's also approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with known heart disease and to slow kidney damage progression. Some clinicians prescribe it off-label for weight loss, though that use is not FDA-approved under this brand.
Type 2 diabetes blood sugar control in adults
Reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in known heart disease
Slow kidney damage progression in chronic kidney disease
Off-label: weight loss in people without diabetes
Farxiga vs. Ozempic Pros and Cons
Farxiga
Farxiga is a well-tolerated oral option with broad approvals spanning diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease. Its main risks involve genital and urinary infections rather than the digestive issues common with GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic.
Pros
Oral tablet, no injection needed
Approved for heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction
Approved for children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes
Roughly $400 to $785 per month before insurance, less than Ozempic
Cons
Carries risk of genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections
Rare but serious risk of Fournier's gangrene
Not recommended for glycemic control at low kidney function (eGFR under 45)
Does not produce the substantial weight loss seen with GLP-1 drugs
Ozempic
Ozempic's weekly injection and strong weight-loss effect make it appealing for many people with type 2 diabetes, but it carries a boxed warning and common digestive side effects. It's also considerably more expensive than Farxiga without insurance coverage.
Pros
Only needs to be taken once a week, not daily
Associated with significant weight loss in clinical trials
Approved to reduce major cardiovascular events in known heart disease
Also approved to slow kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes
Cons
Carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk seen in animal studies
Digestive side effects like nausea and vomiting are common
Requires a weekly injection rather than a pill
Roughly $935 to $1,043 per month before insurance, more than Farxiga
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