If you’re taking ozempic, it’s important to store it properly to ensure it stays effective and safe. Follow the instructions below to keep your medication at its optimal temperature.
Ozempic is an injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by blocking a protein called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Refrigeration
If you have type 2 diabetes and are taking Ozempic, a weekly injection, you may be wondering if this medication can be stored at room temperature. It can be safely stored out of the refrigerator for up to 56 days after first use, but you should not leave it unrefrigerated longer than this.
Ozempic is an aqueous solution, meaning that the active ingredient, semaglutide, dissolves in water. Just like water, semaglutide freezes at 32degF (0degC), and once frozen it breaks down and does not regain its original effectiveness. This means that if you freeze your ozempic, it is no longer safe to use.
This is true even if you have thawed it before using it, as it will still be impacted by the freezing process and not be as effective as it was when fresh. This is why it is important not to freeze ozempic.
In addition, if you have ozempic in a pen and you notice that it is cloudy or discolored, that there are any clumps or particles floating in the liquid, or if it has an unusual odor, this is also a sign of bad storage. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to dispose of the ozempic and get a new pen right away.
Room Temperature
Ozempic can be stored at room temperature (between 59degF and 86degF or 15degC to 30degC) for up to 56 days after the first use. However, you must protect it from sunlight and other heat sources and discard it after 56 days, even if there is still medication in the pen.
To ensure safe storage of your Ozempic pen, keep it in a safe place at all times and replace the cap after each dose. This will prevent the cap from getting damaged and exposing the medication to light or heat, which can increase its potency.
If you are traveling with your Ozempic, be sure to store it in a medical-grade travel cooler to keep it cool and avoid exposure to the sun and heat. These specially-designed travel coolers are laboratory-tested, TSA-approved and are safe for travelers with sensitive medications like ozempic.
If you notice that the liquid in your Ozempic pen has become cloudy or discolored, it may be a sign that the medication is no longer effective. It also may contain clumps or particles, which can be harmful to your health. If you notice any of these signs, dispose of the unused medication immediately and get a new pen. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your medication or how to store and dispose of it safely.
Sharps Disposal
Many people use syringes, needles, lancets and other sharps to manage their medical conditions at home. This creates a huge amount of waste that needs to be properly disposed of.
The FDA recommends a two-step process for ozempic sharps disposal: Step 1: Place all used needles and other sharps in an approved sharps container immediately after using them, and step 2: Dispose of the containers according to your community guidelines. These include drop-off at doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, public health departments, household hazardous waste collection sites or medical waste facilities.
Proper disposal of used needles and other sharps is necessary to prevent injuries, including needlesticks, from occurring during injections and resulting in blood-borne pathogen exposures and transmissions. These injuries can lead to hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, and other diseases.
One technology that is effective in reducing the risk of needlesticks is an auto-disable syringe that renders a syringe’s plunger inoperable after a single use. Another technology is a needle remover that shields the needle after it is used so it cannot be reused.
A variety of other technologies are available for the safe handling of injections, including devices that shear or destroy sharps. These devices can be used at home to quickly and effectively dispose of small needles or lancets that have not been discarded in an approved sharps container.