Semaglutide is an injectable medicine that controls blood sugar and helps you lose weight. It belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 agonists.
These medicines mimic the hormone GLP-1 in your body, which slows how fast your stomach empties food (called gastric emptying) and also stimulates your pancreas to release insulin. In addition, semaglutide blocks a hormone that causes your liver to release sugar.
1. Keep it in the fridge
Unlike tablets, injections often need to be kept in the fridge before use. This is to prevent them from overheating whilst they’re in transit and to make sure they remain at the correct temperature for use.
Semaglutide is an appetite suppressant that works to stop you from feeling hungry and craving food. It is a safe, effective treatment that can help you lose weight at a steady rate.
You should always take the semaglutide with a sip of plain water (no more than 4 ounces or 120 milliliters) as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Do not take it with other medicines or foods.
This medication is usually well tolerated but it may cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. It is also important to monitor your blood sugar levels and pancreatic enzymes. If your blood sugar is low, you could have hypoglycaemia and get serious symptoms, such as sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering and intense thirst.
2. Keep it out of the fridge
The question of whether or not to keep your Semaglutide in the fridge or not will depend on your personal preference. Some people find that the injections are chilly when they’re administered from the fridge, while others don’t see any difference. Regardless of your personal preference, it’s important to note that unused Semaglutide pens can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 28 days before they need to be used or recycled.
The medicine may also be kept at room temperature (59degF to 86degF [15degC to 30degC]) for the same period of time. This is not to be confused with freezing the medicine, which can result in loss of effectiveness and a risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels.
There are a number of factors that affect how long your medication lasts, so it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist about storage options before making any decisions.
3. Keep it in a cool place
Semaglutide is used with a healthy diet and exercise to help control blood sugar levels. Proper control can prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, and loss of limbs in people with type 2 diabetes.
To help lower your blood sugar while taking semaglutide, eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, protein, and fats. Also, avoid foods that are high in added sugar, such as candy and sweetened beverages.
Keep your dose consistent with the number of units per week that your doctor has instructed you to use. Your doctor may also instruct you to start with a titration, which means you take a small amount of the medicine and gradually increase your dose until you reach the full recommended dosage.
Store your unused semaglutide pens (Ozempic) in the refrigerator (36degF to 46degF [2degC to 8degC]). Once a pen is used, dispose of it after 56 days, even if there is still some solution in it.
4. Keep the lid on
If you decide to keep your semaglutide injections out of the fridge, the question is: how long can you leave it on the lid? It isn’t recommended that you do so, as it can cause the solution to discolour. A good way to keep it fresh is to store it in the freezer before you use it. This will help to prolong the shelf life of the medicine, and make sure you don’t have any nasty surprises on your next treatment day.
This can be done by keeping the lid off, so it isn’t quite as cold. It also helps to cover it with a lidded box to prevent the solution from leaking all over your fridge or kitchen. The best place to store it is the top shelf, but don’t forget to take care not to tip over the lid. The most important thing is to keep it off the floor and in a cool place!