If you have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe an injector pen. These pens are prefilled with Ozempic solution (with different dosing of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg, according to your prescription).
These pens are disposable and must be discarded once they’re empty. Fortunately, there are several ways to tell when your Ozempic pen is empty.
Dose Counter
Whether you’ve recently started using Ozempic or your Ozempic pen has been empty for a while now, there are some things to keep in mind. Taking the time to check your dose can help ensure you get the most out of your medicine and avoid unnecessary side effects.
The first thing to do is look at the dose window. Make sure it’s set at zero. Then, turn the dose selector until it shows the Ozempic dose your doctor prescribed. For the red pens, you’ll need to adjust it until it shows 0.5 mg, and for the blue pens, you’ll need to turn it until it shows 1 mg.
After adjusting the dose, you can inject the medication by inserting the needle into your skin. Your healthcare provider can show you how to do this, and they’ll also demonstrate which injection sites are best for you.
If you’re new to Ozempic, start with the lower starting dose and gradually increase your dose based on how you respond to it. Ideally, you’ll see your blood sugar levels start to improve in about 8 weeks after starting.
To avoid getting too low, be sure to keep track of your glucose level and talk to your healthcare provider if you have any changes in your blood sugar. This can help you keep your A1C test score low and avoid serious complications from diabetes.
You should always check your dose before a new injection, so you can be sure you’re getting the right amount of Ozempic every time. That’s important if you want to avoid unwanted side effects like nausea and dizziness.
Another good way to ensure you’re getting the right dose is to prime your Ozempic. That means turning the counter until you see a flow check symbol (a sharp line with two dots). You should also look for a drop of Ozempic at the tip of the needle.
Once you’re confident that you’re getting the right amount of medicine, insert the needle into your skin and press the injection button until the dose counter reaches 0. After that, remove the needle and throw it away.
Dose Selector
Ozempic is a once-weekly injection (pen injector) that helps to reduce your blood sugar levels. It’s used to treat Type 2 diabetes. You should use it along with a healthy diet and regular physical activity to control your blood sugar.
The pen contains a sterile, aqueous solution of semaglutide, a type of insulin. It comes in a cartridge that holds 1.5ml of solution. It is a sterile, clear, colorless and odorless solution.
It is used to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not getting adequate control of their blood glucose levels by diet and exercise alone. It can also help to prevent drastic fluctuations in your blood glucose level.
Each Ozempic pre-filled pens delivers doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg semaglutide per injection. The 0.25 mg dose is used as a starting dose and is given once a week for the first 4 weeks of treatment. The 0.5 mg dose is then used as a maintenance dose and may be increased if needed.
Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate dose of Ozempic based on your diagnosis and health conditions. It’s important to always follow your doctor’s instructions.
When using your ozempic pen, make sure you are properly prepared and that the medicine is in the correct position for the injection site. If it is not, your treatment may be less effective and your blood glucose level could be higher than you expect.
Before you inject, make sure your skin is clean and dry. If it is dirty, use soap and water to wash it off. You should also avoid getting any dirt or bacteria on the needle.
You should only inject ozempic in the thigh or upper arm muscles and not in any other areas of your body. You should never use the same injection site for more than four to six times. You should rotate your injection sites to keep your thigh from becoming swollen.
If you need to re-inject, be careful not to press too hard or to put the needle into your skin too deeply. This can cause low blood sugar or more pain.
Flow Check
If you use your Ozempic pen for the first time, you should check the flow of the medicine before you inject. This will help you get the correct dose of the medication. It also reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of OZEMPIC, and blocked needles leading to the wrong dose.
To check the flow, turn the dose selector until the counter shows a flow check symbol (a sharp line with two dots). You should see a drop of Ozempic appear at the needle tip. If you don’t, you will need to prime the device again. You can do this up to six times, if needed.
After you prime your Ozempic pen, place it on your abdomen or thigh. Alternatively, you can inject it into your upper arm. You should change the spot where you inject every time.
Do not share an OZEMPIC pen with another person, even if the needle is changed, because doing so may cause transmission of blood-borne pathogens [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Inform patients who receive OZEMPIC in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin that the risk of hypoglycemia is higher when OZEMPIC is used with these medications. Educate patients on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and recommend reducing their dose of these medications.
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide you with a free 6-week starter kit for Ozempic. This kit includes a prefilled, disposable Ozempic pen and 6 NovoFine Plus 32 gauge disposable needles. It also contains instructions for use, information on the Cornerstones4Care free support program supported by Novo Nordisk, and an Ozempic savings card.
Dispose of your used OZEMPIC pens and needles the right way. Put your used pens and needles in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container as soon as possible.
If you have more than one pen, dispose of them separately. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you how to do this safely.
Your doctor or pharmacist can also advise you on how to properly store your ozempic pen until it expires. Unused ozempic pens should be refrigerated at 36degF to 46degF until you are ready to use them. You can also keep them at room temperature from 59degF to 86degF for up to 56 days.
Needle Replacement
Ozempic is an injectable medication used to help balance blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s part of a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. It’s usually taken once a week, with or without food, at any time of day. It’s available as an injection and in a pen injector.
When your doctor prescribes Ozempic, your pharmacy will send you an injector pen and disposable needles. The pens are prefilled with Ozempic solution (with different dosing of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg, according to your prescription).
Once the medicine is in the pen, it will be delivered under the skin as a subcutaneous injection. This makes it easier for patients to take Ozempic and reduces the risk of side effects.
The injection site can be placed on the thigh or upper arm, but it’s important to rotate these sites every time you use your pen. This helps to avoid penetrating too deep into the muscles and causing pain or inflammation.
Your doctor may also prescribe other antidiabetic medicines in addition to Ozempic. They may include metformin pills, sulfonylureas, or insulin. You should always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking any other medications.
To avoid allergic reactions, tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of a serious allergy to any of the ingredients in Ozempic, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; or very rapid heartbeat. If you have any of these, stop using Ozempic and call your doctor right away.
If you have kidney problems, drinking water before an injection of Ozempic can help to prevent dehydration and other problems with your kidneys. You should also drink plenty of water while you’re on this medicine.
You should be careful not to let other people touch your injection site when you’re using an Ozempic pen because it can lead to a serious infection or injury. Never reuse a needle or other product that is not the same brand and type that your doctor prescribed.