Ozempic is a liquid medication that comes in a pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection (under the skin) in your abdomen, thigh or upper arm. It can be injected once a week and at any time of the day.
Use a new needle for each injection to avoid skin infections and bruising. Also, rotate the injection site each week.
1. Insert the Needle
Using the correct injection site is important for a smooth and safe experience. The vastus lateralis muscle is on the lateral side of the thigh and the needle should be placed in this area (see Figure 1).
Always use a new needle every time you inject. Reusing needles can cause bruising or skin infections.
Before you give an injection, use an alcohol swab or wipe to clean the skin around where you plan to inject.
If the skin is red or hard, choose a different injection site. It’s also a good idea to change where you’re injecting each day, as recurring injection sites can lead to discomfort or tissue damage.
2. Turn the Dose Selector
When you’re ready to give an injection, turn the dose selector until “0” lines up with the dose pointer on the pen’s dose counter. Keep the needle pressed in until the dose counter reaches 0, then slowly count to six.
Depending on your medical provider’s instructions, you can choose between three injection sites: under the skin on your stomach or thigh, or under the skin on your upper arm.
To help ensure that you’re giving the correct dose of Ozempic, it’s important to follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Also, never take more or less of the medicine than you’ve been prescribed by your doctor.
3. Insert the Needle into the Skin
Before injecting, make sure the skin is clean. This can be done using an alcohol swab.
Once the syringe has been uncapped, insert the needle into a fold of skin. This should be at a 45 to 90 degree angle.
If you have a raised skinfold, this may be more painful than if the needle was inserted perpendicular to the skin.
Once the needle has been inserted into the skin, push it down until it clicks. This will indicate that the dose is complete.
4. Turn the Dose Selector
If you are using an Ozempic injection pen, make sure that the dose selector is turned to the correct dose. This is important to ensure that the pen delivers the right amount of medication and does not empty before you get to your next dose.
When you turn the dose selector, you should see a symbol that looks like a droplet of liquid. The symbol tells you that the pen is working properly and dispenses the correct dose of medication.
When you’re done injecting, slowly count to six before removing the needle. Removing the needle too quickly can prevent the full dose from being absorbed.
5. Remove the Needle
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medicine that helps you control your blood sugar levels. It comes in a pen (also called an “injector pen”) that makes it easy to give yourself an injection.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase it after 4 weeks. Then, your doctor may increase it again after another 4 weeks if you need to lower your blood sugar levels more.
You can inject Ozempic under the skin on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. You should rotate these three body areas each week, to prevent irritation or infection.
6. Place the Needle in a Sharps Container
Ozempic is an injectable drug that’s used once a week. It helps lower blood sugar levels, decrease appetite and increase satiety (feeling full) by increasing insulin production in the body.
It should be injected under the skin (subcutaneously), not into a vein or muscle. You can choose one of three injection sites: your stomach, thigh or upper arm.
To inject, use a pen needle and insert it into your skin. Turn the dose selector to dial up the correct dose in milligrams that your doctor prescribed.