Ozempic is a type of medication called a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 agonist). It lowers blood sugar levels by encouraging your body to make more insulin.
It is usually injected once a week into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It can be injected with or without food.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
If you take too much ozempic (a drug that is used to treat type 2 diabetes), it may cause your blood sugar to go too low. This condition is called hypoglycemia and can be life-threatening.
It can also cause nausea and vomiting. You might also experience a feeling of shakiness, weakness, and sweating. This happens because your body cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients.
To prevent this from happening, talk with your doctor about how much you should take each day. You should never take more than the amount that your doctor prescribes.
Your doctor can change your dose or prescribe a different medicine to help lower your blood sugar level. It is also important to test your blood sugar frequently so you can see when it is too high or too low.
This can help you find out if your medicines are working and whether they need to be changed or stopped. It will also help you avoid low blood sugar and other serious problems from occurring.
In addition, your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit for you to use in case you are unable to eat or drink. It will contain the hormone glucagon and instructions on how to administer it. You should make sure your family or friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency situation.
A glucagon injection will help raise your blood glucose levels, so that you can eat and drink something to replace your used-up energy stores. If this does not work, you might need to call an ambulance.
If you are using ozempic to control your diabetes, you should check your blood sugar often. Your doctor can recommend how many times a day to check your blood sugar and if you should do it in the middle of the night or during an event such as surgery.
It is also important to exercise regularly and eat three meals a day with snacks in between. Do not eat too many high-fat foods or foods that are greasy, as these can make your blood sugar too high.
Diarrhea
If you overdose on Ozempic, you can become very sick. You may have severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration. You may also have a headache or a fever. If you experience these symptoms, get medical help right away.
If the overdose is serious, call 911 or your local emergency number. You should also tell your doctor about the overdose. They will be able to give you treatment that will relieve your symptoms.
Overdoses can also lead to other health problems such as kidney problems or liver disease. You should talk with your doctor if you have these conditions before taking Ozempic.
Ozempic is a prescription medicine that can help you lose weight and control your diabetes. It works by helping your body’s cells use blood sugar more efficiently. This reduces the risk of developing diabetes and the health complications that go along with it.
It also helps your stomach empty more slowly, which improves the amount of sugar that gets into your blood. This can help lower your blood glucose levels and increase your chances of losing weight, explains Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology at Michigan State University.
Your doctor will show you how to inject the medication into your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. When you’re ready to inject, place the pen firmly against the skin of your tummy, upper arm, or thigh, and push down on the injection button until the medication has been injected.
When you’re finished, your doctor will show you how to dispose of the needle and syringe. Follow all laws and regulations for disposing of syringes and needles in your area. You should use a puncture-proof “sharps” disposal container to place used needles in and keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
You should not take two doses of Ozempic within 48 hours of each other. This can make your medication work too quickly and cause your blood glucose to drop too low, which could be dangerous.
Overdose on Ozempic can also lead to other health problems such as pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be very painful. It can also raise your risk of diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that can lead to vision loss.
Increased blood pressure
If you take too much ozempic, you may have serious side effects. The best way to prevent an overdose is to take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. You should also follow the directions on the prescription label and any medicine guides or instruction sheets that come with the medication.
Ozempic is used to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. It works by decreasing the amount of glucose in the blood. This lowers the risk of developing kidney disease and heart problems, and helps people with diabetes feel better.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of ozempic, and then increase your dose gradually. Generally, you’ll be taking 0.5 mg of ozempic once weekly. Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels often to make sure you’re getting the right dose and that you are not having any unwanted side effects.
You’ll use a prefilled disposable injection pen to inject semaglutide under the skin (subcutaneously). Your doctor will show you where on your body to inject semaglutide. You’ll use a different place each time you give yourself an injection.
When you’re ready to give yourself your next dose, make sure to wash your hands. Keep the pen, needle, alcohol swab, and other supplies in a safe place where you can’t get them mixed up.
For example, you should never mix the ozempic and glucagon injection kits together. If you do, you may have severe hypoglycemia, which can cause very low blood sugar and a dangerous drop in your blood pressure.
If you have hypoglycemia, drink a glass of liquid or eat something with sugar in it to raise your blood sugar level. If you need medical help, call your doctor or emergency medical services immediately.
Overdose symptoms can include headache, confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, weakness on one side of your body, trouble walking, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors. These symptoms can be severe or last for a long time, so contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Using ozempic for weight control is not recommended if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or liver problems. It’s also not a good idea to combine it with other medications that reduce blood sugar. These drugs include insulin, sulfonylureas (like glyburide and glipizide), metformin, and diuretics.
Severe allergic reactions
If you take too much ozempic, you may have an allergic reaction or other side effect. In these cases, you should call your doctor right away.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of ozempic and increase your dose over 4 weeks. This way, your body gets used to the drug and can react well to it.
The doctor might also change your dosage after that based on how you respond to the drug. You should always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Ozempic comes in a prefilled dosing pen that is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. It can be given in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Your doctor might suggest that you change the injection area each time you use the medication.
To use an Ozempic pen, remove the pen cap and insert it under the skin of your thigh, upper arm, or belly. Turn the dose selector until it shows 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2. Place the needle tip in the center of your skin and press down and hold it.
When you inject ozempic, wipe the area with an alcohol swab. You should see a drop of medicine at the needle tip after you’ve injected it. Repeat this process up to six times.
Semaglutide is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It has been shown to cause problems in some babies born to mothers who took it during pregnancy. If you plan to become pregnant, discuss this with your doctor.
Your doctor can tell you if ozempic is safe for you to take during pregnancy. Your doctor will check your health before starting the medication and during the first few months of your pregnancy.
If you take too much ozempic, it can cause hypoglycemia (a severe drop in blood sugar). This type of side effect can last for days or even weeks. It may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and other symptoms.
Other possible side effects of ozempic include diarrhea and weight gain. These symptoms can make it difficult for you to control your diabetes. You might also have trouble urinating.