Ozempic Dosage
Ozempic is a prescription medication available as an injection in three different dosages. It helps Type 2 diabetes patients manage their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and death. Ozempic is considered safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor.
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What Ozempic Dosages Are Available?
Ozempic injection is available by prescription in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg dosages. The dose is slowly increased over time to reduce the chance of side effects. The maximum dose is 2 mg, which is injected into the skin once per week. It’s important that you administer the Ozempic dosage recommended by your doctor.
- 0.25 mg
- 0.5 mg
- 1 mg
- 2 mg
The Ozempic injection comes in three different pens that deliver a specific dose. One pen delivers either 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, while the others deliver 1 mg and 2 mg each. The 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg pen is the preferred dosage to get you started on Ozempic. Your doctor may increase your dosage to 1 mg or 2 mg after several weeks if you require additional blood sugar control.
Ozempic Dosing Schedule
Adults with Type 2 diabetes take Ozempic once per week to lower blood sugar levels. Follow your health care provider’s instructions to begin at a lower dose and progressively increase to the maintenance dose that you will take long-term.
The beginning dose for anyone who takes Ozempic is 0.25 mg once a week for a period of four weeks. This lower dose allows your body to become accustomed to the medication. At week five, your doctor increases the dose to 0.5 mg once a week.
Your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of 1 mg per week or 2 mg per week to address changes in your A1C. Never change your dosage without instructions from your physician. No matter what your prescribed dosage, all pens work in the same way, which helps with ease of use. Your health care provider will show you how to use the pen and answer any questions you have.
| Dosage | Pen | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mg | Delivers 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg | Administer 0.25 mg once per week for the first four weeks |
| 0.5 mg | Delivers 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg | Administer 0.5 mg once per week for at least four weeks, as instructed by your doctor |
| 1 mg | Delivers 1 mg | Your doctor may prescribe a dose of 1 mg once a week for at least four weeks if |
| 2 mg | Delivers 2 mg | Your doctor may prescribe a dose of 2 mg once per week if you need additional blood sugar control. Follow instructions on the length of treatment. |
Always take Ozempic exactly as your health care provider prescribed. It’s best to take the injection on the same day every week to keep track of your once-weekly schedule. It is possible to change the day of the week when you administer Ozempic if your last dose was two days or more before you take it again. You can take Ozempic with or without food.
Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. All other uses are off-label. If you choose to begin Ozempic dosing for weight loss, you still must follow the schedule provided by your health care provider and understand that Ozempic for weight loss is a secondary effect of the prescription medication and not its intended primary use.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Ozempic?
You can take a missed dose of Ozempic within five days of the originally scheduled dose. Always take your missed dose as soon as possible. If more than five days have passed, skip your missed dose and take your next dose as intended on the next scheduled day.
Don’t stop using Ozempic suddenly as this can increase your blood sugar levels. If you have questions about how to handle a missed dose, contact your doctor for advice.
Is it Possible to Overdose on Ozempic?
Yes, it’s possible to take too much Ozempic. Doing so can cause nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain or low blood glucose. Take overdoses seriously as they can negatively impact your health. If you know or suspect that you took too much Ozempic, take action immediately.
- Contact your doctor
- Call Poison Control
- Go to the nearest emergency room
It’s important to get assistance even if you aren’t currently experiencing any side effects. Talk to your doctor in advance to get advice on how to handle symptoms of hypoglycemia and inform your doctor of any occurrences.
Is Ozempic Safe for Long-Term Use?
Ozempic is typically safe for long-term use when used as prescribed and under the care of your doctor. When used in combination with diet and exercise, Ozempic can improve blood glucose levels for adult patients with Type 2 diabetes. It’s also used to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes or death for these patients.
As with all medications, Ozempic has some risks associated with long-term use. The most common Ozempic side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation. More serious side effects can include pancreatitis, low blood sugar, allergic reactions, changes in vision, kidney problems, gallbladder problems, thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer.
Ozempic is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age as it isn’t yet known whether it is safe for younger patients. If you have had multiple endocrine neoplasia or a medullary thyroid carcinoma, you should not take Ozempic.
Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience and ask how to proceed if you have experienced negative effects from taking Ozempic. Keep informed of lawsuits filed against Ozempic to learn about any new emerging safety concerns, such as claims of severe gastroparesis.
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