Ozempic® (semaglutide) Pen Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to answer your questions about Ozempic® pen
Hearing about Ozempic® pen and want to know the facts? Find out below.
Considering Ozempic®
Ozempic® is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
There are a number of reasons that Ozempic® could be right for you if you are an adult who has type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic® is proven to lower blood sugar and A1C along with diet and exercise
Ozempic® lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults who also have heart disease
Ozempic® lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease, in adults who also have chronic kidney disease
Ozempic® may also help you lose weighta
Ozempic® is not a weight-loss drug
aAcross studies looking at A1C, adults lost on average from 7.1 lb to 14.1 lb with Ozempic®. While many people in medical studies lost weight, some did gain weight.
Ask your health care professional if Ozempic® is right for you. Download a discussion guide to help get the conversation started.
Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg is an injectable prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose). It also lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease, and lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease.
It is not known if Ozempic® is safe and effective for use in children.
Ask your health care professional if Ozempic® is right for you. Download a discussion guide to help get the conversation started.
Ozempic® in the media
All doses of Ozempic® are now available to retail pharmacies nationwide for appropriate patients with type 2 diabetes. However, pharmacies may experience normal delays given the time required to order the product from their local distribution center and geographical variabilities.
Social media can play an important role in educating about type 2 diabetes and its management. However, it’s important to recognize that not all information about a medicine or disease on social media is accurate or reliable. If you have any questions about Ozempic® or your treatment plan, it’s important to talk to your health care professional. Never make any changes to your medicine or treatment plan without consulting them first.
Any information shared or sponsored by Novo Nordisk online is clearly identified.
Ozempic® is approved by the FDA for adults with type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease, and lower the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease. People respond to medicines differently. That's why it is important to talk to your health care professional about any questions you may have about your treatment plan.
Ozempic® is not FDA approved for weight loss or chronic weight management.
At this time, Novo Nordisk has not conducted studies to evaluate the effect on weight after discontinuation of Ozempic®.
Learn more about A1C and weight data.
If you are interested in a medicine which is FDA approved for chronic weight management from Novo Nordisk, learn more here.
Novo Nordisk is committed to responsible use of our medicines. Learn more by visiting semaglutide.com.
We cannot control which specific patients receive our prescription-only medicines. What we can do is ensure that we reinforce who our medicines are intended to treat, based on their medical trials and FDA-approved indications, in support of responsible use of these medicines. We take that responsibility seriously—and that is reflected in our communication and promotional efforts. You can learn more about our commitment to responsible use of our medicines by visiting semaglutide.com.
Ozempic® is approved by the FDA for adults with type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease, and lower the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease.
No—other Novo Nordisk products exist that contain semaglutide. If you are not sure which semaglutide product may be right for you, you should contact your health care professional to discuss your treatment options.
Compounded "semaglutide" information
Compounded GLP-1s or compounded “semaglutide” are preparations made in a clinical setting such as a compounding pharmacy.
Compounded drugs have historically been intended to address unique medical needs of some individually-identified patients for whom an FDA-approved drug is not appropriate. However, compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. This means the FDA does not review these drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Illegitimate or fake compounded drugs are a far cry from FDA-approved medications that have gone through rigorous clinical trials and have labels that communicate the known benefits and risks.
Novo Nordisk is the only manufacturer of FDA-approved semaglutide medicines, including Ozempic®.
Get more facts about compounded "semaglutide" at semaglutide.com.
No. We are aware that there are companies claiming to have availability of compounded Ozempic® (semaglutide). We want consumers to know that Novo Nordisk does not directly or indirectly distribute the semaglutide active ingredient in its FDA-approved medicine for use in compounding.
Learn more about compounded "semaglutide" and our commitment to responsible use of our medicines by visiting semaglutide.com.
Yes, there have been reports of counterfeit or fake Ozempic®. At Novo Nordisk, patient safety is paramount. We are the only company in the US with FDA-approved medications containing semaglutide. No generic versions of semaglutide currently exist.
The FDA has also shared safety information on compounded and counterfeit "semaglutide" on their website here, with the most recent counterfeit report here (April 2025).
For the most up-to-date counterfeit information from Novo Nordisk, please visit semaglutide.com.
For a comprehensive overview, please click here to learn how to identify counterfeit Ozempic®.
For a quick overview, please see the pictures and details below to identify differences between an authentic FDA-approved Ozempic® pen in the US and some of the counterfeit products.
Authentic Ozempic® Pens
With Cap
Without Cap
Counterfeit Product
With Cap
Without Cap
Authentic Ozempic® Needle
Counterfeit Needle Example
Authentic Ozempic® Carton
0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose
1 mg dose
2 mg dose
Counterfeit Carton Example
FDA-approved drugs are different than compounded drugs in many ways.
FDA drugs, like Ozempic®:
- Undergo rigorous review and inspection
- Meet the FDA’s gold standard of safety, effectiveness, and quality for their intended use according to their FDA-approved labeling
- Are subjected to extensive marketing requirements, including drug supply chain security and adverse event (side effect) reporting requirements
Compounded drugs, like compounded "semaglutide":
- Do not undergo FDA approval or review before being distributed
- May not require inspection for manufacturing quality
- May not meet the FDA’s gold standard for safety, effectiveness, and quality
- May lack adequate direction on how to use
- May not meet drug supply chain security requirements
- May not be subjected to rigorous regulation and side effect reporting
Only Novo Nordisk manufactures the active ingredient semaglutide that goes in Ozempic®, which has been reviewed and approved by the FDA.
Once-weekly Ozempic® comes in a pre-filled pen with 4 different dose options: 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg.
Ozempic® pens come in a box, and each authentic box will contain a pre-filled pen and needles. The box will include 4 needles, except the box with Ozempic® 0.25 mg/0.5 mg, which has 6 needles.
Authentic Ozempic® does not come in a syringe or vial.
0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose
1 mg dose
2 mg dose
There are potential significant safety risks associated with taking compounded "semaglutide". Novo Nordisk has tested some compounded "semaglutide" found in the marketplace, and what we found was very concerning.
Some samples of compounded "semaglutide" contained:
- Unknown impurities, sometimes as high as 33%
- Substances on the FDA-banned list
- Different dose strength than what was labeled
- In one case, no semaglutide at all
The FDA has linked compounded "semaglutide" products to accidental overdoses of 5 to 20 times the intended dose.
Lastly, compounded "semaglutide" has been associated with unprecedented numbers of adverse event (side effect) reports, many of which were classified as "serious".
Your health deserves the real thing. Learn more about the risks of compounded "semaglutide" at semaglutide.com.
Compounded "semaglutide" is not real FDA-approved medicine, and it’s not proven safe or effective.
Compounded "semaglutide" products have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. With an FDA-approved medicine like Ozempic®, health care professionals and patients have the clarity and confidence in knowing that what they are using has undergone rigorous review for safety, effectiveness, and quality.
Get the truth about compounded "semaglutide" at semaglutide.com.
Taking Ozempic®
You take Ozempic® once weekly with an Ozempic® pen, as prescribed and instructed by your health care professional. Read the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use that come with Ozempic® for additional information. For questions, you should speak with your health care professional.
Your health care professional should show you how to use Ozempic® before you use it for the first time. Ozempic® is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Ozempic® into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously).
Take Ozempic® once a week, on the same day every week, exactly as prescribed by your health care professional.
You can take Ozempic® with or without food.
You may change the day of the week you use Ozempic® as long as your last dose was taken 2 or more days before.
The most common side effects of Ozempic® may include:
Nausea
Stomach (abdominal) pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Vomiting
With any medicine, it’s very important to talk to your health care professional about side effects—talk to yours about any side effect that bothers you or doesn't go away.
If you experience nausea, here are some general nausea tips that you might find helpful:
Eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice.
This diet isn’t meant to last more than a couple of days.
Eat foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin.
Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods.
Avoid lying down after you eat.
Go outdoors for fresh air.
Eat more slowly.
Drink cold water.
For a complete list of possible side effects of Ozempic® pen, see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and the Important Safety Information below. For medical advice about side effects, talk with your health care professional. You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ozempic® is safe and effective when used as indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease, and lower the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease.
See the Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. For medical advice about side effects, talk with your health care professional. You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
When taken as instructed, Ozempic®, along with diet and exercise, may help lower your blood sugar and A1C.
Ozempic® can lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease.
Ozempic® lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease.
Ozempic® may also help you lose weight. Ozempic® is not a weight-loss drug. Across studies looking at A1C, adults lost on average from 7.1 lb to 14.1 lb with Ozempic®. While many people in medical studies lost weight, some did gain weight.
While taking Ozempic®, you may experience some side effects.
Ozempic® has been studied across 13 different multinational clinical trials and has been on the market for 8 years. Please click here for the safety profile and talk to your health care professional.
See the Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. For medical advice about side effects, talk with your health care professional. You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How to store your Ozempic® pen
Store your new, unused Ozempic® pens in the refrigerator between 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C).
Store your pen in use for 56 days at room temperature between 59 ºF to 86 ºF (15 ºC to 30 ºC) or in a refrigerator between 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C).
Ozempic® pen package comes with NovoFine® Plus 32G 4 mm needles. If you have any more questions, please call our Customer Care Center at 1-800-727-6500. Our operators can help you and are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 ᴀᴍ to 6:00 ᴘᴍ ET.
If you have a problem with this product, please keep the product and all packaging until you speak with our Customer Care team. Keeping the product helps us review the issue and determine next steps. If the product is thrown away or unavailable, we may not be able to provide a replacement.
You can call 1-866-696-4090 Monday through Friday between 8:30 ᴀᴍ and 6:00 ᴘᴍ ET to get live support.
Samples of Ozempic® (semaglutide) may be available through your health care professional. Be sure to ask them about Ozempic® at your next visit.
If you are a health care professional looking for samples of Ozempic®, you may be able to order samples by visiting the NovoMedLink™ site or talking to your Novo Nordisk rep.
Some telehealth companies are offering Ozempic® through their telehealth services. It is best to check with your preferred telehealth company to determine if they are offering Ozempic® pen.
No, do not share your Ozempic® pen with others, even if the needle is changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
You should always follow your health care professional's instructions and use your Ozempic® pen as prescribed.
Ozempic® is taken once a week, exactly as prescribed by your health care professional.
Getting started
The beginning dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. This will help give your body a chance to get used to the medicine.
At Week 5, your health care professional will increase the dose to 0.5 mg once a week.
For people who also have chronic kidney disease, after at least 4 weeks at 0.5 mg, your health care professional may recommend increasing the dose to 1 mg.
Additional blood sugar control
Your A1C needs may shift as your type 2 diabetes changes. That’s why Ozempic® offers pens that deliver doses of 1 mg or doses of 2 mg to give you additional A1C control. And while your dose may change, nothing will change about how you take Ozempic® - the 1 mg and 2 mg dose pens are the same as the pen you already use.
The maximum dose of Ozempic® is 2 mg once a week. Always follow your health care professional's instructions on how to dose Ozempic®.
You should take Ozempic® exactly as prescribed by your health care professional. If you have any questions about your A1C and blood sugar goals, or changes to your treatment plan, talk with your health care professional. Never make changes to your treatment plan without consulting your health care professional first.
How Ozempic® works
Ozempic® provides powerful A1C reduction.a
A majority of adults taking Ozempic®, along with diet and exercise, reached an A1C under 7% and maintained it.b
aIn 2 different studies, adults with type 2 diabetes lowered A1C, on average, by:
- Ozempic®: 1.4% (0.5 mg) and 1.6% (1 mg) vs placebo: 0.1%
- Ozempic®: 1.9% (1 mg) and 2.1% (2 mg), taking 1 or 2 diabetes pills
from a starting average A1C of 8.0% and 8.9%, respectively.
bIn the same 2 studies, the majority of people reached an A1C under 7%:
- Ozempic®: 73% (0.5 mg) and 70% (1 mg) vs placebo: 28%
- Ozempic®: 56% (1 mg) and 64% (2 mg)
The American Diabetes Association recommends that a reasonable goal for most adults with type 2 diabetes is an A1C less than 7%. Your health care professional will tell you what goal is right for you.
Yes. A study showed that in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease, Ozempic® lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart attack, or death.
Yes. A study showed that in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, Ozempic® lowers the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease.
Non-insulin Ozempic® works with your body’s own ability to lower blood sugar and A1C. Ozempic® helps your body release its own insulin. And it's designed to respond when your blood sugar rises.
Ozempic® works in 3 ways to lower blood sugar:
Helps your pancreas produce more insulin when your blood sugar is high
Helps prevent your liver from making and releasing too much sugar
Slows down food leaving your stomach
Yes. Ozempic® pen is an FDA-approved peptide-based medicine used, along with diet and exercise, to lower blood sugar and A1C in adults with type 2 diabetes.
The active ingredient in Ozempic® pen is semaglutide, a peptide-based medicine that works like a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1. Semaglutide is 94% similar to the body's naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone.
Ozempic® in a pen is a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic® pill, and they have the same active ingredient called semaglutide. However, they are taken in different ways, and have different FDA-approved uses.
Ozempic® in a pen is injected once a week, while Ozempic® pill is taken by mouth once a day. Both medicines work in similar ways to help lower blood sugar.
Talk to your doctor about which medication may be right for you.
Everyone’s type 2 diabetes is different, just like every person is different; so what works for you may not work for someone else.
Ozempic® in a pen is injected once a week, while Ozempic® pill is taken by mouth once a day; and they each have distinct FDA-approved indications.
The medication that’s best for you to help improve your blood sugar is based on many factors, including your specific goals, your lifestyle, and your body’s response to the medication. Because of this, you and your doctor should discuss your treatment options to decide which medication and which FDA-approved uses may be right for you.
Savings & support
Look up your co-pay and see how much Ozempic® will cost you: Find out now.
Eligible patients with private or commercial coverage for Ozempic® may pay as little as $25 for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply for up to 48 months.a
Health care systems vary from country to country, which can result in different list prices. However, it's important to note that a drug's list price does not always reflect the actual out-of-pocket cost for a patient, which is determined based on specific insurance coverage and region.
In the US, uninsured or self-paying patients can save on Ozempic®.b Click the button to explore offers.
aPay as little as $25, subject to a maximum savings of $100/month. Eligibility and restrictions apply. Government beneficiaries excluded. One month is defined as 1 box of 1 Ozempic® pen. Novo Nordisk reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time. See full terms at www.savingscardeligibility.com and NovoCarePharmacyTerms.com.
bEligibility and restrictions apply. See full terms at www.savingscardeligibility.com and NovoCarePharmacyTerms.com.
With the Ozempic® Savings Card, eligible patients with private or commercial coverage for Ozempic® may pay as little as $25 for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month supply for up to 48 months.a Uninsured or self-paying patients can also save on Ozempic®.b Click the button below to explore savings offers.
aPay as little as $25, subject to a maximum savings of $100/month. Government beneficiaries excluded. Eligibility and restrictions apply. One month defined as 1 box of 1 Ozempic® pen and 1 bottle of 30 tablets of Ozempic® pill. Novo Nordisk reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time. See full terms at www.savingscardeligibility.com and NovoCarePharmacyTerms.com.
bEligibility and restrictions apply. See full terms at www.savingscardeligibility.com and NovoCarePharmacyTerms.com.
With Ozempic®, you get access to TexT2Connect—a free savings and support program. After signing up, you’ll get text support with reminders, inspiration, and resources to help you start and stay on Ozempic®.
Text SIGNUP to 21848 to get started.a
aMessage and data rates may apply. Check with your mobile service provider. See Terms and Conditions of Use.
Living with type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or doesn’t respond to insulin properly. To understand type 2 diabetes, you need to know what insulin is and why your body needs it.
The main ingredient in Ozempic® is called semaglutide, a man-made version of the human GLP-1 molecule, with some changes.
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a natural hormone that helps your body keep blood sugar in balance. GLP-1 treatments work like this naturally occurring hormone.
Ozempic® and My Type 2 Transformation offer videos, recipes, and more to help you learn about healthy eating. Ozempic®, along with diet and exercise, can help lower A1C for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic® and My Type 2 Transformation offer videos and more to help you stay active. Ozempic®, along with diet and exercise, can help lower A1C for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic® and My Type 2 Transformation offer videos and more to help you learn techniques for dealing with stress and staying motivated as you manage your type 2 diabetes.
Stay connected:
Important Safety Information
Do not share your Ozempic® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
What is the most important information I should know about Ozempic®?
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Ozempic® and medicines that work like Ozempic® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Ozempic® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Do not use Ozempic® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Ozempic® injection or Ozempic® tablets
Before using Ozempic®, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have a history of vision problems related to your diabetes
- have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Ozempic® will harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Ozempic® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Ozempic® tablets. It is not known if Ozempic® when received through an injection passes into your breast milk
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
What are the possible side effects of Ozempic®?
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Ozempic® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- changes in vision. Tell your health care provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic®
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 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 lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your health care provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away
- severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Ozempic®. Tell your health care provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
- 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; or very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Ozempic®. Tell your health care provider right away if you get symptoms which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Ozempic® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your health care providers that you are taking Ozempic® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Ozempic® may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation. When taking Ozempic® tablets, they may also include decreased appetite.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Ozempic® injection.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Ozempic® tablets.
Ozempic® injection and Ozempic® tablets are prescription medications.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify. Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Ozempic®?
Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg and Ozempic® (semaglutide) tablets 4 mg or 9 mg are prescription medicines used:
- along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes
Ozempic® injection is used:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease
- to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Ozempic® tablets are used:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events
It is not known if Ozempic® injection and Ozempic® tablets are safe and effective for use in children.
What is Ozempic®?
Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg and Ozempic® (semaglutide) tablets 4 mg or 9 mg are prescription medicines used:
- along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes
Ozempic® injection is used:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease
- to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Ozempic® tablets are used:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events
It is not known if Ozempic® injection and Ozempic® tablets are safe and effective for use in children.
Important Safety Information
Do not share your Ozempic® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
What is the most important information I should know about Ozempic®?
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Ozempic® and medicines that work like Ozempic® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Ozempic® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Do not use Ozempic® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Ozempic® injection or Ozempic® tablets
Before using Ozempic®, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have a history of vision problems related to your diabetes
- have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Ozempic® will harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Ozempic® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Ozempic® tablets. It is not known if Ozempic® when received through an injection passes into your breast milk
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
What are the possible side effects of Ozempic®?
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Ozempic® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- changes in vision. Tell your health care provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic®
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 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 lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your health care provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away
- severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Ozempic®. Tell your health care provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
- 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; or very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Ozempic®. Tell your health care provider right away if you get symptoms which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Ozempic® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your health care providers that you are taking Ozempic® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Ozempic® may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation. When taking Ozempic® tablets, they may also include decreased appetite.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Ozempic® injection.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Ozempic® tablets.
Ozempic® injection and Ozempic® tablets are prescription medications.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify. Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Important Safety Information
Do not share your Ozempic® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
What is the most important information I should know about Ozempic®?
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Ozempic® and medicines that work like Ozempic® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Ozempic® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Do not use Ozempic® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Ozempic® injection or Ozempic® tablets
Before using Ozempic®, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have a history of vision problems related to your diabetes
- have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Ozempic® will harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Ozempic® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Ozempic® tablets. It is not known if Ozempic® when received through an injection passes into your breast milk
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
What are the possible side effects of Ozempic®?
Ozempic® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Ozempic® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- changes in vision. Tell your health care provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic®
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 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 lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your health care provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away
- severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Ozempic®. Tell your health care provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
- 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; or very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Ozempic®. Tell your health care provider right away if you get symptoms which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Ozempic® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your health care providers that you are taking Ozempic® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Ozempic® may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation. When taking Ozempic® tablets, they may also include decreased appetite.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Ozempic® injection.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Ozempic® tablets.
Ozempic® injection and Ozempic® tablets are prescription medications.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify. Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Ozempic®?
Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg and Ozempic® (semaglutide) tablets 4 mg or 9 mg are prescription medicines used:
- along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes
Ozempic® injection is used:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease
- to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Ozempic® tablets are used:
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events
It is not known if Ozempic® injection and Ozempic® tablets are safe and effective for use in children.