If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication that can help regulate hormones that lower blood sugar and affect appetite.
It’s important to store this medication properly to maintain its effectiveness and safety. Read on to learn more about storing this weekly injectable.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a medication that’s used to help control blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 agonists.
Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone in your stomach called GLP-1 to lower your blood glucose after you eat. It also helps you feel full, so you eat less.
It’s also used as a weight loss medication to help people lose excess body fat and keep their weight off. It’s used with a healthy diet and exercise.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of 0.5 mg once weekly and increase the dose if needed to help control your blood sugar. After 4 weeks, your doctor will increase the dose to 1 or 2 mg once weekly.
Ozempic is injected under the skin in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. It’s usually given on the same day every week, but you can change the date of administration if necessary.
How to Store Ozempic
Like Insulin, Victoza, and many other injectable medications, Ozempic is very sensitive to high and low temperatures. This is why it needs to be stored under strict conditions.
After opening, Ozempic should be refrigerated between 36degF to 46degF (or 2degC to 8degC) until it’s used up. After that, it can be left out at room temperature between 59degF to 86degF (or 15degC to 30degC) for 56 days.
If you are unsure how long your ozempic pen has been out, check the expiration date on the label. If it has passed that date, dispose of it as soon as possible and get a new one.
The ozempic solution degrades after it’s frozen. It won’t regain its full efficacy, so it’s never safe to keep it frozen even if you haven’t opened it yet. It’s also not safe to use if you have used it up, so be sure to throw it away after you’ve reached the expiration date on the label.
Storage Conditions
In general, ozempic needs to be kept in the fridge and not left at room temperature for long periods of time. If it is not used in a timely fashion, it may start to degrade in quality.
The newest version of the medication is being sold in the form of a prefilled, single-use pen. This newer technology may be more effective in delivering the medicine than the older pens and is also easier to use.
The best way to ensure you get the most out of your Ozempic is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and take your medication as directed. This includes storing ozempic in a refrigerator and using puncture-resistant containers when transporting your medicine. The most important part of all is to make sure you keep the medication cold to protect the drug from oxidation, mold and mildew which can cause your prescription to become less effective over time. The other responsibilities include keeping track of your medication and properly disposing of any that is expired or no longer in use.
Expiration Date
Ozempic pens can be kept in the fridge at 36degF to 46degF or 2degC to 8degC. This is to help maintain the medicine’s potency and safety.
Unused ozempic pens should be discarded after 56 days. This expiration date is printed on the label of each pen and should be written down on your calendar.
When traveling with ozempic, it should be kept in a small cooler bag with ice packs or an insulin medication cooler. It should also be declared to the T.S.A if traveling by air, and stored properly upon arrival.
Ozempic is an injection of semaglutide, an antidiabetic medication that helps control blood glucose and aids weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. It works by slowing down the rate at which sugar is absorbed from your stomach into your blood. It is used along with diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of developing serious medical conditions.