Ozempic® is injected once weekly. It is recommended to inject it on the same day each week to maintain a regular routine and help ensure stable treatment effects.
Ozempic® is a subcutaneous injection. The recommended injection areas are the front of the abdomen, the outer thigh, or the upper arm.
- Prepare the injection pen: Take out the injection pen, check that the solution is clear and free from particles, then attach a new needle.
- Set the dose: Turn the dose selector to the dose instructed by your doctor.
- Clean the injection site: Use an alcohol swab to clean the injection area.
- Inject the medication: Insert the needle vertically into the skin and press the button until the indicator window shows that the injection is complete.
- Hold for a few seconds: Keep the needle under the skin for around 6 seconds after injection to ensure the full dose has been delivered.
- Dispose of the needle: Remove the used needle immediately after use and dispose of it properly in a sharps container.
The dosage of Ozempic® does not usually start at the full treatment dose. Instead, it is gradually adjusted according to the patient’s tolerance and treatment response. This step-by-step approach may help reduce gastrointestinal side effects and improve treatment adaptation and safety.
Doctors generally recommend starting with 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Although this starting dose may have limited effect on blood glucose control, it may help reduce initial side effects such as nausea and bloating. After the first 4-week adjustment period, the dose is usually increased to 0.5 mg once weekly.
If, after medical assessment, the treatment effect has not reached the desired level and the patient responds well without significant side effects, the doctor may recommend increasing the dose further to 1 mg once weekly, or, where appropriate, up to a maximum dose of 2 mg once weekly.
The doctor will adjust the dosage individually based on blood glucose levels, weight changes, overall health condition, and medication response, with the aim of achieving the best possible result safely.