What is Ozempic?

Ozempic Injections for Diabetes

Ozempic is a medication that is used to treat the blood sugar levels in a person that has type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is a revolutionary medication, for diabetes management, that can help people to get their blood sugar levels under control.

Semaglutide

The active ingredient in Ozempic is Semaglutide. Semaglutide is an effective treatment in glycemic control for type two diabetics (Okamoto et al, 2021). Ozempic is referred to generically as a 'semaglutide injection'.

GLP-1 RA

According to Trujillo et al (2021), Semaglutide is a Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP 1 RA). GLP 1 receptor agonist medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D), lowering weight and A1C. They also have a low risk of hypoglycemia. Even though Semaglutide has not been associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy, Wang et al (2022) urge caution when using semaglutide for diabetic patients with long diabetes duration and older diabetics. It is important to always consult a doctor or healthcare professional before starting Ozempic semaglutide treatment (or any other GLP 1 drug) as they will be able to advise if it is a suitable prescription medication for your needs.

Ozempic Injections for Weight Loss

Although it is not primarily a weight loss drug, Ozempic can also potentially help people to lose weight when they use it in conjunction with changes to diet and an exercise routine as a means of body weight management and hitting their weight loss goals. Ozempic induces satiety, the feeling of being full, as it suppresses a person's appetite (Blundell et al, 2017). Even though it supresses appetite, it's primary function is as a treatment for diabetes rather than as a weight loss treatment. Research into the weight loss aspects of Ozempic are under scrutiny in medical studies (Mahapatra et al, 2022). A study by Zhang et al (2023) note that a clinical trial of semaglutide usage resulted in significant weight loss of participants who were overweight or suffering from obesity, aiding them towards achieving a healthy weight. It is important to stress that Ozempic is prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is available as a prescription medication for weight loss in the branded form of Wegovy.

Wegovy

The active ingredient of Ozempic injections, semaglutide, is also the active ingredient for the weight loss medication, Wegovy. Whilst both medications are marketed by Novo Nordisk, there are differences in the dosages and strengths and their primary uses (where Ozempic semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes and Wegovy is used as a treatment for weight loss. See how Wegovy weight loss injections compare to other weight loss treatments.

VIDEO: An overview of Ozempic

Patient Information Leaflet

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Ozempic patient information leaflet.

Ozempic FAQs

What does Ozempic do?

Ozempic helps people suffering from type 2 diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels with a once-a-day injection. Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, also known as GLP-1 RA, meaning that it is NOT insulin. GLP-1 is a natural hormone released by the body after you have eaten, and by using Ozempic you will be providing your body with a simulation of this hormone that can reduce blood sugar and help to prevent cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack (Tadarro et al, 2023), strokes (Husain et al, 2020), and heart disease. Ozempic stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, lowering fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels.

How do you use Ozempic?

Ozempic Pen

Ozempic is easy to use, and you can refer to the full instructions for use in the Patient Information Leaflet provided with your medication. Here are our step-by-step instructions.

Step 1 -

Attach a new needle and check your pen. You should make sure your pen contains clear and colourless Ozempic. You should then screw on a new needle and pull off both needle caps.

Step 2 - 

Check the flow of your pen. Each new pen will need the flow of medication to be checked. Turn the dose selector to select the flow check symbol which you can check in the patient information leaflet. Press and hold the dose button and repeat until a drop of medication appears.

Step 3 - 

You will then need to select your dosage. To do this you will need to turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows your dose, depending on what dosage will be best for you. Dosages include 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg. 

Step 4 - 

Now you can inject your dose. Insert the needle into the arm, stomach, hips or thighs, then press and hold down the dose button. After the dose counter reaches 0, hold for at least six seconds to make sure you receive the full dose.

Step 5 - 

Then remove the needle. You should also replace the outer needle. Carefully remove and dispose of the needle into a sharps bin. Put the pen cap back on.

VIDEO: How to use Ozempic pen

How do you store Ozempic?

In the same way as other injectable medications, Ozempic will need to be stored at a certain temperature. Store your Ozempic in the fridge between 2℃ and 8℃. Once opened, Ozempic can be stored for up to six weeks at these temperatures. You should also never store Ozempic with the needle still on. 

What are the possible side effects of Ozempic?

As with other prescription-only medications, there are some side effects that some people may experience when they take Ozempic. There are more common side effects, as well as some rarer side effects.

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Low blood sugar

Less Common Side Effects:

• Increased heart rate
• Anaphylactic reactions

What dosage of Ozempic do you need?

Here is our guide on what dosage of Ozempic would work best for you.

What should you do if you miss a dose of Ozempic?

If you have missed a dose of Ozempic ensure that you take the missed dose as soon as possible in the following 5 day period after the missed dose.

If more than 5 days have passed, you should skip the missed dose and take the next dose on your regularly scheduled day. If you are unsure what to do after a missed dose of Ozempic, contact your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible and they will be able to advise you further.

Can I take Ozempic if I have diabetic ketoacidosis?

No. Ozempic is not safe if you suffer from diabetic ketoacidosis (ketones in your blood). You must speak to a doctor, pharmacy or healthcare professional prior to starting treatment with Ozempic to ensure it is suitable for you.

What experiences have Ozempic users had?

Every diabetic taking Ozempic injections has a unique individual experience when using the treatment.

User Reviews for Ozempic

To see what people have to say about their experiences with the medication, take a look at the Ozempic user reviews. There a wide range of customer reviews and experiences with Ozempic usage available at Drugs.com and Web MD.

Buy Ozempic

Where can you buy Ozempic online?

Buy Semaglutide

You can safely make your purchase of Ozempic online from EU Meds provided you have a valid prescription. To get an Ozempic / semaglutide prescription you will need to complete an online consultation with EU Meds. If this is approved by independent pharmacist prescribers you will then be able to purchase your medication with us online.

Further information:

• Medicines.org.uk - Ozempic Summary of Product Characteristics
• Diabetes UK - Ozempic and Weight Loss: The Facts Behind the Headlines
• Drugs.com - Ozempic Information
• NICE - Semaglutide for Managing Overweight and Obesity (PDF)
• GOV.UK - Ozempic Patient Information Leaflet (PDF)
• BNF - Semaglutide
• General Pharmaceutical Council - Improving Provision of Weight Loss Services Through Shared Learning