Ozempic® (semaglutide) Pen Dosing
The Ozempic® once-weekly dosing schedule
Ozempic® in a pen is taken once a week, exactly as prescribed by your health care professional, along with diet and exercise, to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
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® delivers 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.
What is the maximum dose of the Ozempic® (semaglutide) pen?
The maximum dose of Ozempic® is 2 mg once a week. Always follow your health care professional's instructions on how to dose Ozempic®.
How to take the Ozempic® (semaglutide) pen
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.
These are not all of the steps for how to take Ozempic® pen. For more information about the Ozempic® pen, see the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use or talk to your health care professional.
What if I miss a dose of Ozempic® (semaglutide) pen?
- 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 have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day
Your once-weekly routine with Ozempic®
Learn the key steps to using your Ozempic® pen and how you can make taking Ozempic® a part of your weekly routine.
Your health care professional should show you how to take Ozempic® before you use it for the first time.
For more information about the Ozempic® pen, see the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use or talk to your health care professional.
How do I use my Ozempic® pen?
This is a quick guide.
Read the Instructions for Use and Important Safety Information before using the pen.
Prepare your pen
1. Check your Ozempic® pen
Read the label to check that your pen contains Ozempic®. Make sure the Ozempic® medicine in your pen is clear and colorless.
2. Attach a new needle
Take a new needle. Tear off the paper tab. Push and turn the needle until tight. The needle is covered by two caps. Remove both caps.
3. Check the Ozempic® flow with each new pen
Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol. Press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. Make sure a drop appears at the needle tip.
Give your injection
4. Select your dose
Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the dose you need to inject (0.25 mg or 0.5 mg for the red‑label pen, 1 mg for the blue-label pen, and 2 mg for the yellow-label pen).
5. Inject your dose
Insert the needle into your skin. Press and hold down the dose button. After the dose counter reaches 0, slowly count to 6. Remove the needle from your skin. Change (rotate) your injection site with each injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.
6. After your injection
Carefully remove the needle and place it in a sharps container. Put the pen cap back on the pen.
Does the Ozempic® pen come with needles?
The Ozempic® pen comes with NovoFine® Plus 32G 4 mm needles—the shortest and thinnest needle available from Novo Nordisk. It's as thin as 2 human hairs!
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).
How do I dispose of the Ozempic® pen?
The Ozempic® pen you are using should be disposed of (thrown away) after 56 days, even if it still has Ozempic® left in it. Write the disposal date on your calendar.
Put your used Ozempic® pen and needle in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use.
- If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
- made of a heavy-duty plastic
- can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out
- upright and stable during use
- leak resistant
- properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container
How should I store my Ozempic® pen?
Unused Ozempic® pens may be used until the expiration date (“EXP”) printed on the label, if kept in the refrigerator.
Do not freeze Ozempic®. Do not use Ozempic® if it has been frozen.
Keep Ozempic® away from heat and out of the light.
When stored in the refrigerator, do not store Ozempic® pens directly next to the cooling element.
Keep Ozempic® and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Keep the pen cap on when not in use.
NovoCare® Pharmacy ships Ozempic®
Get direct shipping through NovoCare® Pharmacy—your reliable source for authentic Ozempic®.
CoAssist Pharmacy is a dispensing pharmacy for NovoCare® Pharmacy.
Have questions about Ozempic®?
You can call 1-866-696-4090 Monday through Friday between 8:30 ᴀᴍ and 6:00 ᴘᴍ ET to get live support.
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.