Ozempic vs Victoza: Weight Loss, Side Effects, Price
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both GLP-1 medicines, weekly injection versus daily injection. Ozempic self-pay starts at $199 per month.
A quick look at Ozempic and Victoza
Ozempic and Victoza compared side by side
| Ozempic | Victoza | |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Ozempic |  Victoza |
| Active ingredient | semaglutide | liraglutide |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
| How it is taken | Weekly injection | Daily injection |
| Approved for | Heart risk and type 2 diabetes, along with kidney disease affecting people with type 2 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes and heart risk |
| First FDA approval | 2017 | 2010 |
| Most common side effect | Nausea 20.3% vs 6.1% on placebo | Nausea 20% vs 5% on placebo |
| List price | $1,027.51 per pen | $543.51 per 2 pens |
| Self-pay from | $199 per month | Not listed |
| FDA shortage | Resolved February 21, 2025 | On the FDA shortage list |
Sources: FDA label, FDA label (DailyMed), Novo Nordisk pricing, TrumpRx.
The side effects compared
Each label tested the people taking it against the placebo group from that same study. Compare each drug with its own placebo first.
| Side effect | Ozempic | Placebo (Ozempic trials) | Victoza | Placebo (Victoza trials) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 20.3% | 6.1% | 20% | 5% |
| Vomiting | 9.2% | 2.3% | 9% | 2% |
| Diarrhea | 8.8% | 1.9% | 12% | 4% |
| Abdominal pain | 7.3% | 4.6% | Not listed | Not listed |
| Constipation | 5% | 1.5% | Not listed | Not listed |
| Headache | Not listed | Not listed | 11% | 7% |
| Nasopharyngitis | Not listed | Not listed | 10% | 8% |
| Decreased appetite | Not listed | Not listed | 10% | 1% |
| Dyspepsia | Not listed | Not listed | 7% | 1% |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | Not listed | Not listed | 7% | 6% |
Price and coverage compared
| Medicine | How you pay | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | List price before insurance | $1,027.51 per pen |
| Ozempic | Ozempic Savings Offer (insured) | the offer starts at $25 each month. It lasts for up to 3 months |
| Ozempic | Self-pay: Ozempic pill (from 1.5 mg) | $149 per month |
| Ozempic | Self-pay: Ozempic pen introductory offer for doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg), covering the first 2 fills | $199 per month |
| Ozempic | Self-pay: Ozempic pen at 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 1 mg | $349 per month |
| Ozempic | Self-pay: Ozempic pen 2 mg | $499 per month |
| Ozempic | Self-pay via TrumpRx | $199 per month |
| Victoza | List price before insurance | $543.51 per 2 pens |
In November 2026, prices were checked using 1 2 Novo Nordisk pricing, NovoCare, TrumpRx.
Who should pick which?
- For type 2 diabetes with kidney disease, Ozempic is approved for that use.
- Some children below 18 can use Victoza because it is approved for them.
- If you pay cash, the published self-pay price for Ozempic is $199 per month.
Your prescriber reviews your health history, other medicines, and coverage.