Victoza vs. Jardiance

See how Victoza and Jardiance compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Victoza is a once-daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Jardiance is a once-daily oral SGLT2 inhibitor tablet.

  • Both reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, but Jardiance also has FDA approval for heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

  • Victoza carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk, while Jardiance carries warnings for diabetic ketoacidosis and serious genital infections.

Victoza vs. Jardiance Drug Summary

Victoza

Victoza (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease. It is given as a once-daily injection under the skin, starting at a low dose and increasing over the first few weeks.

Jardiance

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular death in people with heart disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. It is taken as a once-daily oral tablet with no dose titration needed.

Victoza vs. Jardiance Side Effects

Victoza

Most common
diarrhea (up to 11.7%)
nausea (≥5%)
vomiting (≥5%)
decreased appetite (≥5%)

Jardiance

Most common
hypoglycemia (up to 41.3%)
volume depletion (up to 11.4%)
UTI (up to 9.3%)
genital yeast infection (5.4%)

Victoza vs. Jardiance Dosage

Victoza

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 0.6 mg once daily Week 1
Maximum dose 1.8 mg once daily Week 3 onward
Dose changes 2 increases Every week

Jardiance

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 10 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 25 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Victoza vs. Jardiance Indications

Victoza

Victoza is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control alongside diet and exercise in adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes.

  • Type 2 diabetes glycemic control in adults and children 10+

  • Cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with heart disease

  • Not approved for type 1 diabetes

  • Basis for Saxenda, a higher-dose version for weight management

Jardiance

Jardiance is FDA-approved to control blood sugar in adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with heart disease, heart failure of any ejection fraction, or chronic kidney disease. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

  • Type 2 diabetes glycemic control in adults and children 10+

  • Cardiovascular death reduction in adults with heart disease

  • Heart failure regardless of ejection fraction

  • Chronic kidney disease progression risk reduction

Victoza vs. Jardiance Pros and Cons

Victoza

Victoza offers proven cardiovascular protection for people with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease, delivered through a daily injection many patients find effective for both blood sugar and modest weight loss. It carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk seen in animal studies, and it typically costs more out of pocket than oral alternatives.

Pros

  • FDA-approved to reduce cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease

  • Approved for children as young as 10 with type 2 diabetes

  • Often supports modest weight loss alongside glucose control

  • Same active ingredient as Saxenda, used for chronic weight management

Cons

  • Requires a daily injection rather than a pill

  • Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk

  • Carries a risk of acute pancreatitis

  • Typically costs $935 to $1,470 per month before insurance

Jardiance

Jardiance provides an oral option for type 2 diabetes with the broadest set of FDA approvals of the two, covering heart failure and chronic kidney disease in addition to diabetes. It carries its own risks, including genital infections and a rare but serious risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, and it generally costs less than injectable GLP-1 options.

Pros

  • Taken as a once-daily pill, no injection required

  • FDA-approved for heart failure regardless of ejection fraction

  • FDA-approved to slow chronic kidney disease progression

  • Typically costs $350 to $620 per month before insurance

Cons

  • Risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, even without high blood sugar

  • Risk of serious genital and urinary infections, including Fournier's gangrene

  • Higher hypoglycemia risk when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas

  • Not recommended in later pregnancy due to fetal kidney risk

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