Ozempic

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a pre-filled injection treatment licensed for type 2 diabetes. But studies have shown it’s also effective for weight loss, so doctors prescribe off-label for this purpose too.

Ozempic increases insulin productivity, which helps to keep your blood sugar under control. It also reduces appetite, making it easier to control your portions (which helps to control type 2 diabetes). You'll be able to use Ozempic as a weight loss treatment if your BMI (body mass index) is over 28.

You only need to take Ozempic once a week, alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan. You’ll normally start out on a low dose, and increase this after the fourth week. It’s a ‘subcut’ (subcutaneous) injection that goes through the skin on your thigh or your stomach, so you don’t need to find a vein to inject it.

How does Ozempic work?

Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) is almost identical to the GLP-1 hormone, that’s made naturally in your gut and released after you’ve eaten. It regulates appetite and insulin secretion, and slows down the rate your stomach empties. This gives a longer sensation of feeling full, which means you don’t feel as hungry.

Semaglutide lowers blood sugar by helping your body to make more insulin, and preventing your liver from producing glucose. By slowing down the passage of food out of the stomach, it also slows down the rate your body takes up sugar from the food you eat.

What doses of Ozempic are there?

Ozempic is available in three different doses of 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg. When you take it for diabetes, the dose you’re prescribed will probably depend on what stage of treatment you’re at. If you’re not already using Ozempic, you’ll normally start on the lowest dose (0.25mg) once a week, and increase this to 0.5mg after a month. You might be recommended the 1mg dose if the 0.5mg dose hasn’t worked well enough at controlling your blood sugar. Again, you’ll normally increase to this dose after a month of being on the 0.5mg dose.

If you’re unsure what dose to use, we can help you find the right one.

How to use Ozempic

It’s important to use Ozempic exactly how your doctor has told you to. Always read the leaflet first before you use it for the first time, and if you’re not sure about anything, ask us for help.

• The starting dose is normally 0.25mg once a week for four weeks.
• After four weeks your doctor may increase the dose to 0.5mg once a week.
• If your doctor doesn’t see any improvement in your blood sugar levels with the 0.5mg dose, it might be increased to 1mg.
• Inject Ozempic under the skin.
• Don’t inject it into a vein or muscle.
• The best places to inject Ozempic are the front of your thighs, the front of your waist or your upper arm.
• Inject once a week, and on the same day each week if possible.
• The day of the week that you use it on can be changed - as long as you have at least three days between doses. After you choose a new day, the once-weekly dose should be continued.
• It can be taken any time during the day, regardless of meals.
• Always check that the solution in your pen is clear and colourless. Don’t use it if it looks cloudy or if the pen has been frozen.
• Your pen should only be used by you (and no-one else).
• Before using Ozempic for the first time your doctor or nurse will show you how to use it.

These are the instructions you’ll follow when using Ozempic for diabetes. If you’re using Ozempic for weight loss, they may be different. Your prescriber will tell you how to use it in this case.

How long does it take Ozempic to work?

Ozempic works differently for different people, and it might depend on the dose. In clinical trials, it took four to five weeks for Ozempic to reach a level of ‘steady state exposure’ in the body (which basically means having a continuous supply of the drug in the system).

Clinical trials also showed that 46% of people using the 0.5mg for a year lost up to 5% of body weight, and 13% of people using it lost up to 10%. In people using the 1mg dose for a year, 62% lost up to 5% of body weight and 24% up to 10% of body weight.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Ozempic?

If you forget to take your dose, and it’s been five days or less, take the dose when you remember. Continue with your next dose on your scheduled day. If it’s been more than five days, skip the dose and continue with the next dose on your scheduled day. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

If you accidentally take a higher dose than normal, or than you’ve been prescribed, let your prescriber know as soon as possible. You may get nausea if you take more Ozempic than you should.