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6 Interactions found for:

metformin and Ozempic
Interactions Summary
  • 3 Major
  • 1 Moderate
  • 2 Minor
  • metformin
  • Ozempic

Drug Interactions

No drug interactions were found for selected drugs: metformin, Ozempic.

This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Drug and Food Interactions

Major
Metformin + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Metformin

MetFORMIN should be taken with meals, and excessive alcohol intake (either short-term binge drinking or frequent consumption) should be avoided during treatment. Taking metFORMIN with alcohol may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that can occasionally occur during treatment with metformin-containing products. Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur if you have kidney or liver disease, acute or unstable congestive heart failure, or dehydration. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop potential signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis such as fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, increasing drowsiness, abdominal pain or discomfort, slow or irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulty, chills, and other unusual symptoms. Alcohol may also affect blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. Both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur, depending on how much and how often you drink. You should avoid using alcohol if your diabetes is not well controlled or if you have high triglycerides, neuropathy (nerve damage), or pancreatitis. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels if your diabetes is under control. However, you should limit your alcohol intake due to the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach or following exercise, as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about metformin.

Moderate
Ozempic + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Semaglutide (found in Ozempic)

Food may affect the absorption of semaglutide when taken orally. It is recommended that oral semaglutide be taken 30 minutes before first food, beverage, or other oral medications of the day with no more than 4 ounces of plain water. You may experience more side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you fast longer than 30 minutes after the semaglutide dose. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Drug and Pregnancy Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Semaglutide (found in Ozempic)

Professional Content

Noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH): This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus: This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
-According to some authorities: Use is not recommended.
Weight management: Use is not recommended.

AU TGA pregnancy category: D
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Risk summary: Limited and insufficient data are available on the use of this drug in pregnant women to inform a drug-related risk; based on animal data, this drug may cause fetal harm.

Comments:
-According to some authorities: Contraception use is recommended during therapy for patients of childbearing potential.
-This drug should be discontinued at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the long half-life.
-Additionally for Wegovy:
---A pregnancy exposure registry is available.
---When a pregnancy is recognized, the patient should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus and discontinue the drug.

Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryofetal mortality, early pregnancy losses, structural abnormalities, and growth alterations. After subcutaneous dosing in rats, rabbits, and cynomolgus monkeys during organogenesis, pharmacologically mediated maternal toxicity (reduced body weight gain and food consumption) was observed at all dose levels. In rats, reduced growth and fetal abnormalities (visceral and skeletal) were observed at the human exposure. In rabbits, early pregnancy losses and increased rates of minor fetal abnormalities (visceral and skeletal) were seen at clinically relevant exposures. In monkeys, sporadic abnormalities (vertebra, sternebra, ribs) occurred at exposures above the human exposure. Exposures at the no observed adverse effect level in all species were subclinical or only slightly higher than the plasma AUC at the maximum recommended human dose; a direct effect of this drug on the fetus cannot be excluded. Salcaprozate sodium (SNAC), an absorption enhancer in the oral tablet, has been shown to cross the placenta and reach fetal tissues in rats; SNAC was associated with increased gestation length, stillbirths, and decreased pup viability following oral dosing in pregnant rats during gestation and lactation. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

To monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to this drug, a pregnancy registry has been established. Pregnant women exposed to Wegovy and health care providers are encouraged to contact the manufacturer at wegovypregnancyregistry.com.

Clinical considerations:
-Noncirrhotic MASH: There may be risks to the mother and fetus related to MASH with advanced liver fibrosis (e.g., increased risks of gestational diabetes, hypertensive complications, preterm birth, postpartum hemorrhage); the effect of this drug on these risks is unknown.
-Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia occur more often during pregnancy in patients with pregestational diabetes; poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications and increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia related morbidity.
-Weight management: Appropriate weight gain based on pre-pregnancy weight is recommended for all pregnant patients because of the obligatory weight gain that occurs in maternal tissues during pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category D: Drugs which have caused, are suspected to have caused or may be expected to cause, an increased incidence of human fetal malformations or irreversible damage. These drugs may also have adverse pharmacological effects. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

References

  1. "Product Information. Wegovy FlexTouch (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Ltd (2026):
  2. "Product Information. Rybelsus (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Ltd 2 (2025):
  3. "Product Information. Ozempic (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc SUPPL-37 (2025):
  4. "Product Information. Ozempic (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Ltd (2025):
  5. "Product Information. Ozempic (0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose) (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd VV-LAB-098353 v10 (2025):
  6. "Product Information. Rybelsus (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd (2022):
  7. "Product Information. Wegovy (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc SUPPL-33 (2026):
  8. "Product Information. Rybelsus (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc SUPPL-30 (2026):
  9. "Product Information. Wegovy (0.25 mg dose) (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd AU-Wegovy-PI-mPFS VV (2026):

The following applies to the ingredients: Metformin

Professional Content

Benefit should outweigh risk

AU TGA pregnancy category: C
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Risk Summary: Data are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriage; published studies have not reported an increased risk. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy.

Comments:
-Maternal glucose levels should be well controlled prior to conception and throughout pregnancy to avoid maternal and fetal diabetes-associated risks.
-Premenopausal women should understand the potential for unintended pregnancy with use of this drug as ovulation may occur in some anovulatory women.

Animal studies do not indicate harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryo or fetal development, birth or postnatal development. Poorly-controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, stillbirth and delivery complications. Poorly controlled maternal diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia related morbidity. Published evidence suggests this drug has a good safety profile in women with no increased long-term effects in offspring up to 18 months; however, much of the evidence is from observational, small, and/or nonrandomized studies, and therefore data must be interpreted cautiously.

Many experts continue to recommend insulin as the drug of choice for type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes when diet alone is unsuccessful in controlling blood sugars. The estimated background risk for major birth defects in women with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus with an HbA1C greater than 7 is 6% to 10% and for women with a HbA1C greater than 10, this risk has been reported to be as high as 20% to 25%. In the US, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The estimated risk of miscarriage for pregnant women with diabetes is unknown. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

AU TGA pregnancy category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

References

  1. "Product Information. Glucophage (metformin)." Bristol-Myers Squibb PROD (2001):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  4. "Product Information. Fortamet (metformin)." Physicians Total Care (2014):
  5. "Product Information. Glumetza (metformin)." Biovail Pharmaceuticals Canada (2014):
  6. "Product Information. Riomet (metformin)." Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (2014):
  7. Lindsay RS, Loeken MR "Metformin use in pregnancy: promises and uncertainties" Diabetologia 60 (2017): 1612-9
  8. Kelley KW, Carroll DG, Meyer A "A review of current treatment strategies for gestational diabetes mellitus." Drugs Context 4 (2015): epub

Drug and Breastfeeding Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Semaglutide (found in Ozempic)

Professional Content

Only injectable forms of this drug should be used during breastfeeding.
-According to some authorities: Use is not recommended.
-According to some authorities: Breastfeeding is not recommended during use of the oral form of this drug.

Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Yes

Comments:
-Injectable formulations: Developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered as well as the mother's clinical need for this drug. The effects in the nursing infant are unknown; potential adverse effects in the breastfed child due to this drug or the mother's underlying condition should be considered.
---According to some authorities: A risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded.
-Oral formulations: The absorption enhancer (salcaprozate sodium [SNAC]) and/or its metabolites are present in human milk; enzyme activity involved in SNAC clearance may be lower in infants compared to adults, leading to higher SNAC plasma levels in neonates and infants.
---There is the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants due to possible SNAC accumulation.

This drug was not detectable in the milk of mothers receiving the subcutaneous formulation. Data from a lactation study with the oral tablet formulation reported drug levels below the lower limit of quantification in human milk.

In a study involving nursing mothers using subcutaneous doses of this drug, milk samples showed no measurable drug levels. If present at the detection limit, the relative infant dose was estimated to be very low. Additionally, breastfed infants of these mothers showed normal growth and development during the period of exposure through breast milk. This drug has poor oral absorption, with a maximum bioavailability of approximately 1% in adults.

Milk samples were collected (at 0, 12, and 24 hours after dosing) from 8 nursing mothers using this drug subcutaneously (0.25 to 1 mg/week); their infants (4 to 23 months old) were mixed fed, receiving breast milk for 3 to 9 weeks during maternal dosing. None of the milk samples contained any measurable drug (less than 1.7 mcg/L), and the mothers reported normal growth and development for their infants. According to author calculation, if drug milk levels were at the detection limit, the relative infant dose would have averaged 1.12%; this did not account for the poor oral absorption of the drug and maximum bioavailability of 1% in adults.

References

  1. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (US) "Semaglutide - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500980/" (2026):
  2. "Product Information. Wegovy FlexTouch (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Ltd (2026):
  3. "Product Information. Rybelsus (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Ltd 2 (2025):
  4. "Product Information. Ozempic (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc SUPPL-37 (2025):
  5. "Product Information. Ozempic (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Ltd (2025):
  6. "Product Information. Ozempic (0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose) (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd VV-LAB-098353 v10 (2025):
  7. "Product Information. Rybelsus (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd (2022):
  8. "Product Information. Wegovy (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc SUPPL-33 (2026):
  9. "Product Information. Rybelsus (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc SUPPL-30 (2026):
  10. "Product Information. Wegovy (0.25 mg dose) (semaglutide)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd AU-Wegovy-PI-mPFS VV (2026):

The following applies to the ingredients: Metformin

Professional Content

Benefit should outweigh risk

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Available data have not reported adverse effects in breastfed infants, however, this data is limited.
-Due to this limited data, product manufacturers recommend a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, considering the importance of the drug to the mother.
-Published data suggest this drug is compatible with breastfeeding; they recommend caution when nursing a newborn or premature infant, and those with renal impairment.

Drug levels are expected to be 0.5% (range 0.11% to 1%) of the mother's weight-adjusted dosage and milk/plasma ratio range between 0.13 and 1. Since milk levels are expected to be relatively constant, timing of breastfeeding with drug administration is expected to be of little benefit. One large prospective study found no adverse effects in breastfed infants. Low detectable serum levels were found in some breastfed infants.

References

  1. "Product Information. Glucophage (metformin)." Bristol-Myers Squibb PROD (2001):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Feig DS, Briggs GG, Koren G "Oral antidiabetic agents in pregnancy and lactation: a paradigm shift?" Ann Pharmacother (2007): 1174-80
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  5. United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):
  6. "Product Information. Fortamet (metformin)." Physicians Total Care (2014):
  7. "Product Information. Glumetza (metformin)." Biovail Pharmaceuticals Canada (2014):
  8. "Product Information. Riomet (metformin)." Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (2014):
  9. Kelley KW, Carroll DG, Meyer A "A review of current treatment strategies for gestational diabetes mellitus." Drugs Context 4 (2015): epub

Therapeutic Duplication Warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

Switch to: Professional Interactions

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

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