Ozempic is a brand name prescription medicine that is used to:
increase blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is done with exercise and diet
reduce the risk of developing serious heart problems among adults suffering from heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The drug isn’t used to treat type 1 diabetes , also known as ketoacidosis in diabetics and is typically not prescribed to people with pancreatitis. Check out below the “Ozempic applications” section for more information.
Ozempic is a liquid solution, which is administered by subcutaneous injection. It is a drug called semaglutide, which is part of the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists (GLP-1 antagonists).
Ozempic can be used by alone or in conjunction with other diabetes medicines.
Ozempic is pen you can utilize to inject the medication yourself. It comes with four different strengths.
2 milligrams of semaglutide per 1.5 milliliters solution (2 mg/1.5 milliliters)
2 mg/3 mL
4 mg/3 mL
8 mg/mL
Each pen gives a unique Ozempic dose.
FDA approval
Ozempic has been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December of 2017.
Notice: Ozempic is not currently available in a pill that can be taken orally. But, Rybelsus, a similar medicine that contains semaglutide, the active ingredient is FDA-approved in the form of an oral tablet.
Click here for an Ozempic coupon.
Effectiveness
To find out more about the effectiveness of Ozempic check out below the “Ozempic uses” section below.
Ozempic may reduce appetite. This is why the majority of people suffering from diabetes who take the medication are able to lose weight.
Ozempic does not have FDA approval for weight loss. In some instances doctors might prescribe the drug off-label to weight control. Off-label use of a drug means that doctors prescribe the drug for a reason different from what it’s authorized from the FDA.
Make sure you only take Ozempic according to the instructions of your physician. If you have any questions regarding the use of Ozempic to manage weight consult your physician.
Ozempic is available only as a brand-name drug. It is a drug called semaglutide that is currently not available in generic form.
Like all medicines as with all medications, the price of Ozempic will vary. The actual price will depend on the coverage of your insurance.
Forms of drugs and strengths
Ozempic is an instrument that allows you to inject the medication yourself.
If you are the first to start taking Ozempic it is possible to use the dosage of 2 mg/1.5 milliliter or 2 mg/3 mL pen. If you require a greater dosage of Ozempic to control your blood sugar levels your physician may recommend an increased dosage.
Every Ozempic pen has many needles. The needle you use will change every time you inject yourself an injection.
Ozempic pens can be used several times, but not share a pen with someone else.
Dosage to treat type 2 diabetes
At first, when you begin taking Ozempic dosage, you’ll be taking 0.25 mg every week for four weeks. Following this, you’ll be taking 0.5 mg every week for four weeks.
After four weeks, if you’re blood sugar levels are in a good balance You’ll continue taking 0.5 mg every week. If you’re looking to lower the blood sugar levels higher, your physician may increase the dosage to 2 mg or 1 mg every week. The recommended maximum dosage for Ozempic can be 2 mg once every week.
It is recommended to give your Ozempic injection every day of the week. But, you are able to administer your injection any point of the day, with or without food.
If you need to, you may alter the date you administer the injection. If you choose to do so, you must have had the last dosage at least 48 hours prior to the day on which you are planning to give the injection.
What happens if I don’t remember the dose?
If you don’t take a dose, you should take it whenever you remember, so you can within five days from the date that you missed the dose. Then , take the next dose according to its normal schedule.
However, if more than five days have gone by or the date of your next dose is just 1 or 2 days away, do not take the dose you missed. Instead, take the next dose on the scheduled day.
Do I have to take this medication for a long time?
Yes, this medication is usually used for a long time to manage type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular issues.
Ozempic may cause minor or severe adverse effects. The following list outlines some of the most important adverse effects that can occur when taking Ozempic. This list is not exhaustive and does not cover all the possible side effects.
For more details on the potential side effects of Ozempic, or for tips for managing an unsettling side effect consult your physician or pharmacist.
More common side effects
The most common adverse effects of Ozempic be:
nausea*
headache
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain
stomach upset
constipation
flatulence (passing gas)
These side effects can disappear within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more serious or persist, speak with your physician or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The serious side effects of Ozempic aren’t uncommon, but they do happen. Contact your physician immediately in case you experience severe adverse effects. Contact 911 if you are life-threatening or you suspect you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation.
The serious side effects and symptoms could include:
Thyroid cancer. *
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). The symptoms can include:
discomfort in your back and your belly
nausea
vomiting
Unintended weight loss
febrile
swollen belly
The cause is hypoglycemia (low levels of blood sugar). The symptoms can include:
Drowsiness
headache
confusion
weaknesses
hunger
irritability
sweating
feeling jittery
fast heartbeat
Diabetic Retinopathy (diabetes-related eye issues). The symptoms can include:
blurred vision
vision loss
seeing dark spots
poor night vision
Kidney damage. The symptoms can include:
decreased urine production
swelling in your ankles or legs
confusion
fatigue
nausea
Gallbladder disease. The symptoms can be:
gallstones that can cause abdominal pain nausea, vomiting, and even fever
Cholecystitis (inflammation within your gallbladder)
Allergy reaction. *
* For more details on the side effects, refer to “Side effects details” below.
Side effect details
It is possible to wonder how frequently certain side effects can occur when using this medication. Here’s a brief overview of some of the adverse effects this drug can cause.
Allergy reaction
Like most medications there are people who experience an allergic reaction following taking Ozempic. The signs of an allergic reaction could include:
skin rash
Itching
flushing
An extreme allergic reaction is not common however it is possible. The symptoms of an extreme allergic reaction could include:
the skin’s swelling, usually in your eyelids, hands, lips, or feet
swelling of your mouth, tongue, or the throat
Trouble breathing
It isn’t known how frequently allergic reactions occur in patients taking Ozempic in clinical studies. However, severe reaction in response to Ozempic have been documented.
Contact your doctor immediately in the event of a serious reaction to Ozempic. Contact 911 or your nearest emergency line if you’re symptoms are life-threatening or if you suspect you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation.
Nausea
Nausea is the most frequent adverse effect of Ozempic. It is most likely to happen the moment you begin taking Ozempic as well as when the dosage is increased.
Nausea can decrease or disappear with the regular usage of Ozempic. If it does not go away or becomes more severe consult your physician.
Heartburn
Certain people who take Ozempic may experience heartburn, however this isn’t a common occurrence.
The side effect could decrease or disappear with the regular use of the medication. If it does not go away or becomes more severe consult your physician.
Headache
Headaches are a typical adverse effect of Ozempic. The effect can diminish or disappear with the usage of the medication. If it does not go away or becomes more severe consult your physician.
Thyroid cancer
Ozempic comes with a boxed warningTrusted source from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most powerful warning that the FDA demands.
In studies on animals Ozempic was found to increase the likelihood of developing thyroid tumors. It’s still not clear whether Ozempic causes thyroid cancer in humans.
There have been instances of thyroid cancer among people who take Liraglutide (Victoza) which is a drug that belongs to the same class of drugs as Ozempic. It’s unclear whether these cases were caused by liraglutide or another cause.
Due to the risk of developing thyroid cancer It is recommended not to use Ozempic if either you or a family member in your immediate vicinity have ever suffered from a type of cancer known as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or a rare endocrine disorder known as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
When you’re on Ozempic, and are experiencing symptoms of a thyroid tumor consult your physician immediately. The symptoms could include:
A lump or mass in your neck
difficulty with swallowing
Trouble breathing
a hoarse voice
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prescription medications like Ozempic to treat specific conditions. Ozempic can also be prescribed on its own for different conditions. Off-label usage is when a medication that’s approved for treating a specific condition is used for a different condition.
Ozempic to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes
Ozempic is approved by the FDA to help improve blood sugar levels for adults who suffer from type 2 diabetes as well as lifestyle changes in eating habits and exercise. (Ozempic has also been approved to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular issues and is explained below.)
Ozempic can be prescribed as a single medication or in conjunction with other diabetes medicines.
It’s important to remember Ozempic isn’t used to treat type one ketoacidosis or diabetes. It’s also not recommended for those who have suffered from pancreatitis in the past.
Effectiveness of Type 2 diabetes
Ozempic has been proven to be effective in treatment of type 2 diabetes. For more information about the effectiveness of Ozempic in clinical trials, refer to the prescription information for the drug.
Guidelines issued by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend the use of a GLP-1 agonist like Ozempic for adults suffering from Type 2 diabetes, who also suffer from one of the following disorders:
heart disease (CVD) or an increased risk of developing CVD
kidney disease
heart failure
The same guidelines recommend the use of a different medication like an agonist of GLP-1 like Ozempic as an alternative to treat people suffering from type 2 diabetes for whom metformin isn’t enough to lower the blood sugar levels.
Ozempics to reduce the risk of heart problems
Ozempic is approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues in people with Type 2 Diabetes and heart diseases. The risks are heart attack, stroke, and even death due to heart disease.
(Ozempic has also been approved to improve blood sugar levels for adults who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. This is explained before.)
It’s important to remember Ozempic isn’t used to treat type one diabetes or ketoacidosis in diabetics. It’s also not recommended for those who have suffered from pancreatitis in the past.
The effectiveness of heart disease
In clinical studies, Ozempic was found to be effective in reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular issues for certain adult. Check out Ozempic’s prescribing guidelines for more information on the effectiveness of the drug in clinical studies.
Guidelines issued by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend the use of a GLP-1 agonist like Ozempic for adults suffering from Type 2 diabetes that are a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Use off-label
Ozempic isn’t FDA-approved for treatment of type 1 diabetes, and has not been tested for people suffering from this condition. In some instances Ozempic could be prescribed on its own to treat type 1 diabetes.
A drug in similar class to Ozempic, Liraglutide (Victoza) is being examined in patients suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. Studies have shown that liraglutide may reduce the need for insulin and reduce body weight, however it does not appear to increase HbA1c levels.
Certain experts believe that Ozempic and other drugs in the same class are not suitable for those suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. They believe the danger of adverse reactions from these medications outweighs the advantages when it comes to people who suffer from type 1 diabetes.
There are other medications available to combat type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of developing serious heart problems. Certain medications may be more suitable to you over other. If you’re looking for alternatives to Ozempic consult your physician to find out more about other medicines that could be suitable for you.
Some examples of medicines that may serve as alternatives to Ozempic in type 2 diabetes are the medications listed below.
Solutions for improving blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular issues
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists (GLP-1 agonists) like:
dulaglutide (Trulicity)
exenatide (Bydureon, Byetta)
liraglutide (Victoza)
lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
sodium-glucose cotransporter 2. (SGLT2) inhibitors, for example:
canagliflozin (Invokana)
dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
empagliflozin (Jardiance)
ertugliflozin (Steglatro)
metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet), which is a majoruanide
dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors such as:
Alogliptin (Nesina)
linagliptin (Tradjenta)
saxagliptin (Onglyza)
sitagliptin (Januvia)
Thiazolidinediones include:
pioglitazone (Actos)
rosiglitazone (Avandia)
Additionally to the above drugs, they can be used to improve the levels of blood sugar:
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, such as:
acarbose
miglitol (Glyset)
Sulfonylureas include:
chlorpropamide
glimepiride (Amaryl)
glipizide (Glucotrol)
glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase Prestabs)
It is possible to ask what Ozempic compares to other drugs that are used for similar purposes. This article will discuss the ways that Ozempic as well as Trulicity are similar and distinct. Also, check out this comprehensive article which explains the two drugs.
Uses
Ozempic and Trulicity are both FDA-approved for:
blood sugar levels of people with Type 2 Diabetes, in conjunction with exercise and diet
heart problems among adults suffering from heart diseases and Type 2 Diabetes
Ozempic as well as Trulicity (dulaglutide) Both are part of the same class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists (GLP-1 antagonists). They work similarly to increase blood sugar levels for people who suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Forms for drugs and administration
Ozempic and Trulicity both are available as liquid solutions that are available in a pen. Both are self-injected every week.
Costs
The price of Ozempic or Victoza will vary based on the treatment plan you’re using. The cost you be charged for each drug will depend on the insurance plan you have as well as your location and the pharmacy you go to.
You might be wondering what Wegovy compares to Ozempic. Both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. But, they have distinct accepted applications.
Wegovy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help with weight loss in conjunction with exercises and a low-calorie diet.
Ozempic does not have FDA approval for weight loss. In some instances doctors might prescribe the drug off-label to weight control. Off-label use of a drug means that doctors prescribe the drug for a reason different from what it’s authorized from the FDA.
Ozempic has been approved by FDA to
control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is done with exercise and diet
reduce the risk of developing serious heart problems among adults suffering from heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic and Wegovy both come with pen you can make use of to inject the medication yourself. They can cause a variety of the same adverse negative effects. Both come with an enclosed warning from Trusted Source regarding the possibility of developing thyroid cancer. Check out for details in the “Ozempic adverse effects” section for more information.
A pharmacist or your doctor can give you more details about the way these medications are compared.
Ozempic may be prescribed by alone or in conjunction with other medications to boost blood sugar levels for people who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. When treating diabetes there are a variety of medications that are often used in combination in the event that one medication isn’t improving blood sugar levels in a sufficient way.
Some examples of diabetes medications that can be used in conjunction in conjunction with Ozempic are:
canagliflozin (Invokana)
dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
glimepiride (Amaryl)
glipizide (Glucotrol)
glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase Prestabs)
insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo)
metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet)
pioglitazone (Actos)
Remember Ozempic could be prescribed in conjunction with an exercise plan and diet that is healthy for you. Make sure you follow the diabetes treatment program as recommended by your physician.
It is recommended to take Ozempic precisely as prescribed by your physician.
How do I inject
Ozempic is an injection pen that can be self-injected subcutaneously. There are a variety of steps when you inject yourself. For complete instructions for using the Ozempic pen, you can visit the website of the drug. Here are the essential steps:
Step 1. Get your pen ready.
The first step is to wash your hands.
Take off the cap of the pen. Set aside.
Examine the pen’s window to ensure that the solution is colorless and clear. (If you don’t find it to be then don’t use the pen.)
Use a brand new needle for the pen. (A needle that is new is required each time you make use of your pen.)
Remove the needle’s outer cap. Then, remove the cap on the inside of the needle. Both caps can be put away in the garbage.
Step 2. Review your Ozempic flow.
This must be completed prior to the first injection you do with every pen you purchase. If you’ve already completed this procedure for prior injections using the pen you’re currently using, you may skip step 3.
Keep the pen in place with the needle pointed upwards.
The dose counter should be turned on until it displays an flow-check symbol. (It appears to be two dots with a line.)
Hold the button to dose until the counter for dose shows zero. The drop of Ozempic will be visible at the tip of the needle.
If you aren’t able to see any drop, repeat the procedure up to six times. If you are unable to see any drop after six attempts then replace the needle and attempt again.
If there isn’t a drop then don’t make use of the pen. Put it away in the sharps container. (You can purchase sharps containers at the neighborhood pharmacy.)
Step 3. Select your dose.
The dose selector should be turned until you can see the dose (either 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2.).
Step 4. Introduce the dosage.
Cleanse your skin around the site of injection with an alcohol-based swab.
Place the needle in your skin and secure it the needle in the desired position.
Hold the button to dose until the counter for the dose shows zero.
When the dose counter is showing zero, count slowly until six before removing the needle off your skin. This will ensure that you receive the entire dose.
5. Remove the needle.
Take the needle out of the pen.
Put the needle that you have used inside the sharps container.
Place the cap back on the pen.
Take note that after using the Ozempic pen you are able to continue to use it for as long as 56 days. In 56 days the medicine expires and you must get rid of the pen.
Where can I inject
Ozempic is injected into the abdomen (belly) or thigh or the upper arm. The same location is used every time you inject Ozempic however, you must change the location where you inject in that region.
Timing
Ozempic is a drug that can be administered anytime during the daytime. The injection must be administered at the exact time every week. If you need to, you may alter the day on which you administer Ozempic injections. If you alter the date be sure to take at least two weeks between injections.
Ideally, it is best to be taking the medication at the same time every day, regardless of whether you alter your schedule. If you’re worried about altering the timing of your injection, speak with your physician.
Take Ozempic with food
Ozempic is injected either with food or not.
Take Ozempic with insulin
Your doctor may recommend Ozempic to use in conjunction alongside insulin. Ozempic and insulin may be administered at the same time in the day. It is also possible to inject them into the same area of the body, like the abdomen. But it is not recommended to inject them in the same area.
Beware of drinking too much alcohol when taking Ozempic. Alcohol can alter your blood sugar levels and increase the chance of having low blood sugar levels.
If you drink alcohol, speak with your physician about the amount that is safe for you.
Ozempic may interact with other medicines. It may also be in contact with certain supplements.
Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, certain interactions can affect how the drug performs and others may cause more adverse negative side consequences.