Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injection for Type 2 diabetes in adults. To get the most out of this treatment, you need to inject it correctly.
This includes priming your new pen, using a new needle each time and making sure you’ve gotten the full dose. The right injection site is somewhere on your body that has some fatty tissue and is away from veins or muscles.
Abdomen
Ozempic is a medication that’s injected right under your skin (subcutaneously). It works by slowing the rate at which your body absorbs glucose, which reduces how much you eat.
The best places to inject this medicine are parts of your body that have some fatty tissue, like the back of your upper arms and abdomen. Injections into lean or mostly muscle areas, such as the thigh, may be painful or cause the drug to be less effective.
In clinical trials, researchers found that a slightly lower amount of Ozempic was absorbed when injected under the skin of your thigh compared to when it was injected into your stomach. This isn’t considered a problem, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Ozempic is used to help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. This helps them avoid the problems associated with diabetes, such as heart disease and stroke. It’s also used to help people who are overweight lose weight and reduce their risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Upper Arm
Ozempic is often injected into the upper arm, particularly for people who don’t find it easy to self-inject. It is also an ideal injection site for people with diabetes and who have cardiovascular disease to help reduce their risk of serious problems like heart attacks and strokes.
When injecting, be sure to follow your doctor’s dosing instructions and the steps in the manufacturer’s Instructions for Use carefully. It’s also a good idea to check the pen and needle each time you use it, as well as dispose of any used pens in an FDA-approved sharps container.
Injecting Ozempic is easy and comfortable. However, it is important to follow your medical provider’s dosing instructions and to check the medicine in your pen regularly for cloudiness or particles. This will help you avoid potential side effects and improve your injection experience.
Thigh
Ozempic can be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your abdomen, thigh or upper arm. However, it should never be injected into a muscle or vein.
When you inject the medication, make sure the injection site is clean, dry and free of any lotion or oil. This helps to prevent bruising and skin infections that can occur after injections.
Once you have inserted the needle, press down and hold the dose button until the needle shows 0 mg. This is your full dose of ozempic.
After your injection, count slowly to six before removing the needle. This will ensure you receive your full dose of ozempic and reduce the chance that you’ll pull out the needle too soon, resulting in a stream of liquid coming out.
If you do this correctly, you’ll be able to easily administer your ozempic medication with ease. You can also get help from your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble.
Other Injection Sites
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable drug that can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar, lower their HbA1c, and lose weight. It comes in a pen (or “medication pen”) and is given by self-injection once a week, on the same day each week, with or without food.
The medication is injected under the skin, or subcutaneously. This is important because it allows the drug to be absorbed more quickly, which can be helpful for people with diabetes.
You should avoid injections into muscle or veins, as this can increase your risk of developing a lump of fat called lipohypertrophy under the skin. This may also affect how well your body absorbs the medicine.
In general, the three best sites to inject ozempic are under the skin on your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. With each weekly injection, you should use a different site from the previous one. This will prevent the development of lipohypertrophy, and will also help to avoid irritating the skin.