Ozempic Medication Guide

Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name
semaglutide
Drug Class
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Used For
Type 2 diabetes mellitus to lower blood sugar and reduce kidney disease risk
How Taken
Weekly injection under the skin

What Is Ozempic Used For?

Ozempic contains semaglutide and belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists that help control how your pancreas works.

Primary Uses

Ozempic is used to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It’s also used to reduce the risk that your kidney disease worsens if you have type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. It can be used alone if diet and exercise aren’t enough to control your blood sugar, or with other diabetes medicines like metformin, insulin, or SGLT2 inhibitors.

How It Works

Ozempic helps your body produce more insulin when your blood sugar level is high. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels, or your body can’t use the insulin it makes properly.

Good to know: Ozempic is not addictive and should be used alongside diet and lifestyle advice from your healthcare team.

How to Take Ozempic

Ozempic is given as an injection under the skin once a week on the same day each week if possible. You can inject it at any time of day, regardless of meals.

Dosage Instructions

Starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks. After four weeks, increase to 0.5 mg once a week. Your doctor may increase your dose to 1 mg if needed. Inject under the skin in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm as shown by your doctor or diabetes nurse. The solution should be clear and colorless.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it’s 5 days or less since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue your regular schedule. If it’s more than 5 days, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. You can change your injection day as long as it’s been at least 3 days since your last injection.

Important: Never take an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for a missed dose. Don’t stop using Ozempic suddenly as your blood sugar levels may increase.

Available Tablet Strengths

0.25 mg, 0.5 mg
0.25 mg, 0.5 mg Tablet Clear, colorless solution, Pre-filled pen • 1.5 mL or 3 mL pen
1 mg
1 mg Tablet Clear, colorless solution, Pre-filled pen • 3 mL pen

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Indigestion
  • Burping or gas
  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Stomach pain or swelling
  • Weight loss
  • Injection site reactions
  • Fast heart beat
  • Feeling tired
  • Dizziness
  • Vision changes
  • Taste changes
  • Hiccups

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Acute pancreatitis (severe stomach and back pain that doesn’t go away)
  • Allergic reactions (skin rashes, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, fast pulse, sweating)
  • Bowel obstruction (severe constipation with stomach pain, bloating, vomiting)
  • Acute kidney injury (less urination, leg swelling, sleepiness, shortness of breath, confusion, nausea)
  • Severe dehydration
  • Low blood sugar when combined with other diabetes medicines

Important Warnings

There are important safety considerations before starting Ozempic treatment.

Who Should Not Take Ozempic

Don’t use if you’re allergic to semaglutide or any ingredients, have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or if the medicine has expired or been frozen. Not for use in children under 18 years.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, depression or mental illness, severe stomach problems, kidney disease, or if you’re taking sulfonylurea medicines or insulin. Your doctor may need to adjust other diabetes medicine doses.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Don’t use during pregnancy or for at least two months before planned pregnancy as it may harm your unborn child. Use contraception if you could become pregnant. Don’t use while breastfeeding as it’s unknown if Ozempic passes into breast milk.

Surgery Warning: Tell your healthcare professional you’re taking Ozempic before any procedure requiring general anesthesia or deep sedation due to risk of food or liquid getting into lungs.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Ozempic and affect how it works.

Blood Sugar Risk: Combining with sulfonylurea or insulin may increase risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust doses and recommend blood sugar testing.

  • Sulfonylurea medicines (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide)
  • Insulin

Alcohol & Driving

Be careful with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Ozempic.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar or make it worse.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Ozempic affects you. Low blood sugar may affect your ability to concentrate. Avoid driving if you experience signs of low blood sugar, including dizziness.

Storage

Before opening: Store in refrigerator (2°C to 8°C), away from cooling element. Don’t freeze. During use: Keep for 6 weeks either at room temperature (not above 30°C) or in refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Keep pen cap on to protect from light. Don’t use if solution isn’t clear and colorless. Discard pen after 6 weeks even if medicine remains.

Overdose Information

If you use too much Ozempic, you may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you think you’ve used too much, seek urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

You start with 0.25 mg for four weeks, then increase to 0.5 mg. Your doctor may further increase to 1 mg if blood sugar isn’t well controlled with 0.5 mg.

Yes, you can inject Ozempic at any time of day, regardless of meals.

No, Ozempic is not addictive.

Don’t stop using Ozempic suddenly. If you stop using it, your blood sugar levels may increase. Only stop when your doctor tells you to.

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar or make it worse.

If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (cold sweat, headache, nausea, hunger, vision changes, weakness, nervousness, confusion), immediately eat sugary food or have a sugary drink like lollies, biscuits, or fruit juice.

Before opening, store in refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). During use, keep for 6 weeks either at room temperature (not above 30°C) or in refrigerator. Don’t freeze and keep pen cap on to protect from light.

Important Disclaimer

This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.