Ozempic and Metformin: Is It Safe? Label, Studies
Commonly used together; Ozempic was tested alongside metformin in its trials.
- Verdict
- Taking them together is generally fine
- Label names it
- No
- General caution
- Pills absorbed more slowly
Check a GLP-1 interaction
Ozempic: key facts
Its half-life is about 1 week. After 7 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (35 d).
In SUSTAIN 1, people with type 2 diabetes lost 4.7 kg over 30 weeks, compared with 1.2 kg on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars include the list price and self-pay offers. Each comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Ozempic and metformin: the verdict
Taking them together is generally fine
The following is quoted directly from the drug interactions section of the Ozempic label:
“OZEMPIC causes a delay of gastric emptying, and thereby has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. In clinical pharmacology trials,”
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Details from the Ozempic label
The Ozempic label does not name metformin. These lines still apply to it.
| Named in the label | The risk | What the label tells doctors |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin or sulfonylureas | Low blood sugar | The chance of low blood sugar goes up if you take it with insulin or a sulfonylurea, including glipizide or glimepiride. The doctor may lower those doses. |
| Oral medicines | Pills absorbed differently | Because this medicine slows stomach emptying, it can change how other pills are absorbed. |
Source: Ozempic label (DailyMed).
What the studies show
- studied with metformin in clinical trials
- metformin no change in levels
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
The practical rule
- Continue both medicines as prescribed. Tell your doctor if stomach upset does not go away.
- Tell whoever prescribes your GLP-1 about every pill you take, including this one.
- Ask your pharmacist if you take any pills that need a steady level in the blood. You may need those checks when you begin or increase the dose.
- Check your blood sugar more often during the first weeks and after each dose increase.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Metformin with other GLP-1s
The drug interaction sections of all 10 GLP-1 labels do not name Metformin. Each gives the same general caution for pills taken by mouth, so this answer applies across the drug class.
This question also applies to Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).