Semaglutide is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. It is also used to help patients with weight loss.
In the last year, some people have found a way to get cheaper, compounded versions of the drug from online pharmacies. But some experts are raising questions about the safety of this practice.
How to store
Semaglutide is a type of medication that is used to treat diabetes and weight loss. It is available as a once-weekly injectable pen, and should be stored properly to ensure its effectiveness.
Unopened pens should be kept refrigerated until you are ready to use them. After that, they can be stored at room temperature (59degF to 86degF) for up to 56 days max.
If you have an unused Ozempic pen and want to keep it out of the fridge, it is safe to do so as long as you don’t freeze it or leave it out in temperatures above 30degC for more than 28 days. If you do store it outside the fridge, make sure you don’t expose it to light or heat that can damage the solution.
If you have any questions about how to store your pens, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. They will be able to provide you with more information about how to store your Ozempic pens safely.
Preparation
Semaglutide should be injected under the skin, usually once a week at any time of day. Your doctor will show you how to give yourself an injection. You should use a different body area (for example, thigh or stomach) each time you give yourself an injection.
Injections can be painful, especially when using a new medicine. Call your healthcare provider if you have pain or swelling of the injection site. Do not inject a semaglutide injection into the same body area two days in a row.
Before you begin using semaglutide, your doctor may start you on a low dose and gradually increase it over several weeks. This is called a “titration.” The titration will help to reduce side effects of the medicine, including gastrointestinal (GI) problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The titration will last at least 90 days. It is very important to stick to the titration schedule. You will also have to keep track of how many syringes you use each week.
Dosage
Semaglutide is a drug that works by slowing the way food moves out of your stomach. It comes as a solution in a prefilled dosing pen that you inject subcutaneously (under the skin) once weekly.
In a study of people with Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide showed that it was safe and effective at lowering blood sugar levels. It also reduced the risk of developing heart disease and certain cancers.
The typical dose is 2.4 milligrams, administered weekly as subcutaneous self-injections. The dosage may be increased slowly if needed.
A typical dose is injected into your abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Avoid injecting it into the same spot each time, because this can make nausea and vomiting worse.
Your doctor will tell you when to change the site where you inject ozempic each week.
If you experience any side effects while using ozempic, call your doctor right away. These may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, dizziness, or constipation. Your doctor can also give you medicine to treat any of these symptoms.
Side effects
Semaglutide pens should never be left out of the fridge. It can cause serious side effects if left out of the fridge for long periods of time.
Keep the lid on when storing your pen, to help prevent it from becoming cloudy or coloured (due to light, heat, or expiry). If you do choose to store it outside of the fridge, make sure it’s out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures.
In the short-term, there’s no difference in how much it affects blood sugar if you use it outside of the fridge. Some people do notice that the injection is colder if it’s left out of the fridge between uses, but this could be a small effect.
If you have any questions about the side effects of semaglutide, ask your doctor. Call your doctor right away if you experience severe stomach pain or vomiting that doesn’t go away, bloody diarrhea, or a change in mood or behavior.