Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that can be used to help control blood sugar and improve HbA1c in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may be prescribed along with diet and exercise.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions about how much and when to take this medicine. The dose will depend on your health history, goals, and lifestyle.
What is ozempic?
Ozempic is a medicine that helps people with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar levels and lower their risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also used to help people lose weight.
It comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, disposable pens that you inject under your skin. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to use the pens and how often to inject them.
Ozempic is used in combination with diet and exercise to help you lose weight. It works by mimicking a hormone in your body called GLP-1. This hormone helps your body feel full, so you’ll eat less.
How does ozempic work?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by lowering the number of peaks and troughs in blood sugar.
It is in a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. It does this by slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach and helping your pancreas release insulin.
It also helps control your appetite so you don’t overeat. It’s used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
What are the side effects of ozempic?
Ozempic is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It works by stimulating insulin release after meals and blocking sugar production by the liver. It also slightly delays how fast your food is absorbed by the stomach, which can help lower blood glucose levels.
Taking ozempic with other medications can cause drug interactions, which may result in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). These interactions are more likely when you take ozempic with insulin or other insulin-releasing medications.
Other side effects of ozempic include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas and burping. These symptoms are usually mild and temporary and should go away with time as your body adjusts to the medication.
Can I take ozempic with other medications?
Ozempic may interact with a number of other medications. It’s important to discuss these potential interactions with your doctor before starting treatment.
Antimalarial drugs, such as doxycycline, tetracyclines, and sulfamethoxazole, can affect how well ozempic works in your body. They can also cause low blood sugar, a serious or even life-threatening side effect.
Other medications that can interact with ozempic include insulin, some supplements, and over-the-counter products (OTCs). If you take any of these drugs or other medicines while using ozempic, ask your doctor about how to use them safely.
Can I take ozempic with alcohol?
Ozempic is a prescription medication that works to lower your blood sugar levels. It is typically injected weekly.
It is part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class. It’s available as a once-weekly injectable pen that you place under your skin, near your belly button or on your thigh.
While it’s not known to cause severe hypoglycemia, drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic can change how well the medication works and make your blood sugar drop too low. That’s why it’s important to keep your dose of alcohol to a minimum and to check your blood sugar levels before and after you drink.
Can I change my dosing day?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It works by lowering blood sugar levels and reducing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
It is injected under your skin, usually once per week. It can be given with or without food.
Your doctor will tell you how much to give you each time. It is best to take your dose at the same time each week.
If you need to change your dosing day, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Your last dose must be taken at least 48 hours before the new day you plan to administer your injection.
Can I change my injection day?
Ozempic is typically injected once weekly on the same day each week. You can change the injection day if necessary as long as the time between doses is at least 2 days (48 hours).
You should also be careful not to inject insulin and Ozempic in the same area. That may make them work less effectively together and cause more side effects.
Ozempic can increase the risk of thyroid cancer in people who have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. If you have these conditions, your doctor may want to change your medicine.