How to use it
Physicians typically instruct patients to take Ozempic once a week. Novo Nordisk recommends injecting the medicine under the skin in your upper arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Store Ozempic in a refrigerator.
Dosing
For most patients, dosing begins with the 0.25 mg pen for weekly injections for the first four weeks and increases to 0.5 mg on the fifth week of treatment. After that, your provider may increase your weekly dose to 1 mg, then 2 mg as clinically needed for additional glycemic control for those with Type 2 diabetes and if you continue to tolerate semaglutide injections.
Side effects
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. It’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly to protect your muscles while taking Ozempic.
Use adequate contraception while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Ozempic.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Severe pain in your abdomen or back that will not go away is a symptom of pancreatitis. Contact your health care provider immediately.
Ozempic is not appropriate for those with insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Ozempic isn’t the right fit.
Black Box Warning
Although rare, semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Ozempic’s “black box” warns of the risk of these tumors. If you have trouble swallowing, develop hoarseness, or feel swelling or a lump in your neck, contact your health care provider immediately.
The FDA also warns not to take Ozempic if you have or have a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2 or medullary thyroid cancer.
Precautions
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. It’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly to protect your muscles while taking Ozempic.
Use adequate contraception while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Ozempic.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Severe pain in your abdomen or back that will not go away is a symptom of pancreatitis. Contact your health care provider immediately.
Ozempic is not appropriate for those with insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Ozempic isn’t the right fit.
Interactions
Some drugs can also interact with Ozempic, including:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas (when combined, these can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low when combined with Ozempic)
- Some birth control pills
- Other GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide
You should not drink alcohol while taking these drugs because it can lower blood sugar. Combining alcohol with these medications may cause blood sugars to fall too fast, leading to fainting and dizziness.