Ozempic is a once-weekly medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by helping your body balance blood sugar levels.
Your doctor may also prescribe other medicines to help with your diabetes, such as insulin.
Ozempic is usually injected under your skin into fatty tissue, such as the stomach or thighs. You should avoid using the same injection site for each dose to reduce inflammation and scarring.
Needle
If you have diabetes and are using ozempic, your doctor will likely show you how to use the injection pen that comes with your medication. They will also teach you the proper technique for administering the ozempic doses you will receive.
Ozempic works best when injected right under your skin, a subcutaneous drug. Generally, it’s injected into areas of thick and fatty tissue on your stomach, thigh or upper arm. It should not be injected into a vein or artery because it could cause blood to flow backwards and make the medication less effective.
Needles come in a variety of lengths and sizes. They are sterile and disposable. They are marked with their size in metric and American numbers.
Pen
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable medication used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled pens that you’ll self-inject under your skin.
Your doctor or healthcare provider will show you how to use the pen. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions closely so you can get the most benefit from your treatment.
Each time you use a new Ozempic pen, dial the dose selector until the flow check symbol lines up with “0 mg.” Then press the injection button to dispense a small amount of the medicine.
Once you’ve done this, replace the pen cap and put it in a sharps container to safely dispose of the needle after each injection. You should also keep an extra pen and new needles with you at all times, in case the one you’re using is lost or damaged. Having a tool like this will make administering your injections easier, and can help you stay on track with your weekly treatment.
Injection site
Ozempic is prescribed as a self-injection pen to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will start you on a low dosage of 0.25 mg once weekly. Your doctor may increase this to 1 or 2 mg once weekly if your blood sugar is not well controlled.
Your doctor also might prescribe another medication to help lower your blood sugar levels along with Ozempic. If you take oral medications, take them at least 1 hour before injecting Ozempic.
Use an injection site that is clean, dry and free from lotion, oil or powder. Choose an area on your abdomen, thigh or back of the upper arm. Wipe the area with a 60-70% alcohol-based solution on a single-use swab or cotton ball and allow to dry completely.
Dose
Ozempic is a medication that helps regulate blood sugar levels. This can help people with Type 2 diabetes control their weight and reduce their risk of heart disease.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s prescribed dosage and regimen. It includes the amount of medicine you take each time, how often you take it, and what times of day are best for you to take it.
To self administer ozempic, you need a pen that has a dose selector dial (white window). Rotate the dose selector clockwise until it shows the correct dose in milligrams (mg) your doctor has prescribed.
Then, use an alcohol swab to clean the injection site. Apply a small amount of alcohol to the swab and wipe it on the injection site. Allow the area to dry before injecting.
When injecting, avoid injecting into the same spot each week to prevent skin irritation. This will reduce the risk of scarring or other skin reactions.