Ozempic 1 mg injection

Introduction to Ozempic 1 mg injection

Ozempic 1 mg injection (semaglutide) is used for type 2 diabetes in adults to improve blood sugar levels and also used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack or death, for adults with type 2 diabetes with heart disease. In clinical trials, Ozempic has also been shown to help with weight loss, after 30 weeks, patients on Ozempic 0.5mg had lost 2.6 kg more than the placebo group, and patients on Ozempic 1mg lost 3.5 kg more than the placebo group. Although currently, Ozempic is not an FDA-approved weight loss medicine.

Ozempic works to lower blood sugar, helping the pancreas make more insulin, decreasing the amount of sugar your liver makes, and slowing the rate food passes through your body, making you feel full longer. Ozempic is from a class of medicines called a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (incretin mimetics) that works by binding to GLP-1 receptors which results in lower blood sugar levels and A1C levels and may also reduce your appetite to help weight loss.

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that should be used along with diet and exercise. Ozempic should not be used for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic comes in a prefilled dosing pen injection. It is injected into via subcutaneously once a week.

Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication formulated to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. Although not officially a weight loss drug, research suggests that people who take Ozempic may lose modest amounts of weight while on the medication. In fact, the active ingredient in Ozempic, known as semaglutide, is FDA-approved at higher doses for treating individuals living with obesity and other weight related medical problems under the name Wegovy.

Ozempic weight loss effects going viral on social media, people without type 2 diabetes have begun using Ozempic off-label for weight loss.

In this article, we discuss this growing weight loss trend and offer insights from physicians on Ozempic’s effectiveness for weight loss, safety and what you should consider before taking Ozempic for weight loss.

Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Each pre-filled pen contains 4 mg semaglutide in a solution of 3.0 ml. Each dose comprises 1mg of semaglutide in 0.74 mL of solution. It is consumed once a week exactly as prescribed by your physician, along with exercise and diet. In addition to Ozempic, you may be recommended to take other medications.

Ozempic (generic name: semaglutide) is a prescription medication used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Ozempic is designed to help control blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1.

Ozempic (active ingredient, Semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medicine used alongside a healthy diet and exercise to improve blood sugar levels and lower A1C in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic reduces the risk of major cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke and even death in adults known to have heart disease.

Ozempic acts in a similar way to a hormone that already occurs in our bodies and helps to regulate our blood sugar, insulin levels and our digestion. Ozempic is a pre-filled, disposable, single-patient-use injection pen which is taken once a week. It’s usually administered to patients after an unsuccessful course of other diabetes medicine. Ozempic is not suitable for adults with Type 1 Diabetes. It is still unknown whether or not it is suitable for children under the age of 18.

Uses of Ozempic 1 mg injection

Use this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. It is usually started at a low dose that is gradually increased every 4 weeks to 30 days. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help.

Ozempic is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection), usually once per week at any time of the day, with or without food. Use an injection on the same day each week.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it.

Your healthcare provider will show you where to inject this medicine, it is usually injected into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

If you choose a different weekly injection day, start your new schedule after at least 2 days have passed since the last injection you gave. Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injection in case of severe hypoglycemia.

Tell your doctor if you have frequent symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, medical tests, and special medical care. You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Do not reuse a needle. Place it in a puncture-proof “sharps” container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store unopened injection pens in the original carton in a refrigerator, protected from light. Do not use past the expiration date. Throw away an injection pen that has been frozen.

How Does Ozempic 1 mg injection Works?

Ozempic mimics a natural hormone in your body called GLP-1 [2]. This hormone is produced by your digestive system in response to eating food and it acts on both the brain and the digestive system to regulate how full you feel after a meal.

It also slows down the emptying of your stomach into the rest of your digestive system.

GLP-1 regulates insulin secretion in response to eating meals so that your blood sugar is better controlled — even lowering blood sugar levels and reducing your appetite by signalling your brain that you’ve eaten a meal.

The injectable medication acts just like this natural hormone to make you feel fuller for longer and reduces your cravings for more food. Enhancing the way your body regulates blood sugar levels and the storage of fat can help patients lose weight.

Ozempic comes as prefilled disposable injection pens. Your doctor will show you how to inject Ozempic under the skin of your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. After this, you’ll give yourself doses of the medication at home.

Here are a few tips for helping make sure your Ozempic injection is safe and goes smoothly:

• Read the instructions on how to give yourself the dose.
• Collect your supplies (pen, needle, alcohol swab, gauze, needle disposal container).
• Wash your hands before your injection.
• Check that you’ve clicked to the correct dose on the pen (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg).
• Use a new needle each time.
• Rotate your injection site (change where you inject the drug each time) to avoid pain and risk of infection.

For detailed instructions on how to use Ozempic, you can see the manufacturer’s site. Your doctor or pharmacist can also show you how to use Ozempic pens.

Side Effects of Ozempic 1 mg injection

Common side effects of Ozempic may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and constipation. A 2022 study found that most people taking semaglutide who did not have diabetes gained much of the weight back within a year of stopping the medication.

Ozempic may also lead to serious side effects, such as:

• changes in vision
• pancreatitis
• severely low blood sugar levels when used with diabetes treatments
• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• gallbladder problems
• severe allergic reactions
• thyroid tumors, including cancer, in rare cases

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or Upset Stomach
• Constipation
• Decreased Appetite
• Injection Site Reactions
• shortness of breath
• nervousness
• difficulty breathing
• upper abdominal pain

Serious Side Effects

• vision changes
• unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• signs of a thyroid tumor–swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;
• symptoms of pancreatitis–severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate;
• gallbladder problems–upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low blood sugar–headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery;
• kidney problems–swelling, urinating less, blood in urine, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• stomach flu symptoms–stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody).

Rare Side Effects

• Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
• Hypoglycemia
• Acute Kidney Injury
• Severe Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Thyroid Disorders
• Severe Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Serious Skin Reactions
• Injection Site Necrosis
• sweating
• decreased urination
• lightheadedness
• fast heartrate
• dark or empty areas in your vision
• spots or dark strings floating in your vision

Dosage of Ozempic 1 mg injection

Ozempic dose and less than 5 days have passed from your last dose, take the missed dose. But if more than 5 days have gone by from your last dose, skip the missed dose.

Do not take two doses at once. You could have hypoglycemia (a severe drop in blood sugar levels) that lasts a long time. This is because Ozempic is a long-acting drug that stays in your body for a week.

It’s important to check your blood sugar levels regularly to maintain normal levels.

If you need help remembering to give yourself a dose of Ozempic on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm, downloading a reminder app, or setting a timer on your phone. A kitchen timer can work, too.

If you’re taking certain medications, they may affect how well Ozempic works. This also applies to certain herbs, supplements, and foods. So your doctor might need to adjust your dosage of Ozempic. Before starting Ozempic treatment, tell your doctor about any medications you take.

Changes to your blood sugar levels may also mean your dose needs adjustment. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels while you’re using Ozempic and adjust your dosage if needed. Be sure to check your blood sugar levels regularly, and let your doctor know of any changes.

How To Manage Side Effects?

Ozempic treatment follows a once-weekly dosing schedule, exactly as prescribed by your doctor to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

You will start with a beginning dose of 0.25mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. This lower dosage helps your body get used to the medicine. At week 5, your doctor will increase the dose to 0.5mg once a week. After a number of weeks your doctor may increase the dose to 1 mg once a week, should you need the additional support in regulating your blood sugar.

Ozempic should be taken once a week, on the exact same day every week. If you need to change the day you take the prescribed dose of Ozempic, you can, you just need to ensure that your last dose was taken 3 or more days before. If you miss a dose of Ozempic, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days pass, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your normal scheduled day.

Ozempic can be taken with or without food.  Please note that the maximum dose of Ozempic is 1 mg once a week and to always follow your doctors instructions on how to dose Ozempic.

Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to use the Ozempic injectable pen before you use it for the first time.

Warning & Precautions

• Hypoglycemia
• Pancreatitis
• Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
• Allergic Reactions
• Kidney Function
• Gallbladder Disorders
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• Liver Function
• Alcohol Use
• Driving and Operating Machinery
• Other Medications

This medicine may cause the following problems Increased risk of thyroid tumor Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)Low blood sugar (when used with other diabetes medicine)Kidney problems

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, pancreas problems, digestion problems, or a history of diabetic retinopathy.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Safety Advice

Before you take Ozempic it is important to familiarize yourself with the patient information leaflet enclosed with your treatment. If you have any concerns or queries you can contact one of our experienced pharmacists.

• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Ozempic and call your doctor right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
• Changes in vision. Tell your doctor if you have changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Ozempic with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
• Sweating
• Slurred speech
• Hunger
• Confusion or drowsiness
• Shakiness
• Weakness
• Headache
• Fast heartbeat
• Feeling jittery
• Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration) which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.
• Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Ozempic and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including:
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
• Problems breathing or swallowing
• Severe rash or itching
• Fainting or feeling dizzy
• Very rapid heartbeat

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Ozempic used for?

Ans. Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-

2. How is Ozempic administered?

Ans. Ozempic is administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once a week. The injection can be given in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.

3. Is Ozempic safe?

Ans. Ozempic is generally considered safe when used as directed by a healthcare provider. However, like any medication, it can have side effects. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.

4. Can I drink alcohol while taking Ozempic?

Ans. You should use caution when consuming alcohol while taking Ozempic, as it can affect blood sugar levels. Discuss alcohol use with your healthcare provider.