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Duke, PharmD, RPh — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA — Updated on May 15, 2022 OverviewOzempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to:Improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.Lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in adults with heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These problems include stroke, heart attack, and, in some cases, death due to heart disease. The active drug in Ozempic is semaglutide. Ozempic is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 agonist). Ozempic isn’t currently available as a generic. Ozempic is given as a subcutaneous injection. For information about the dosage of Ozempic, including its form, strengths, and how to use the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Ozempic, see this article. This article describes typical dosages for Ozempic provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Ozempic, always follow the dosage instructions prescribed by your doctor. Ozempic dosage The Ozempic dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on the type and severity of the condition you’re using Ozempic to treat. They’ll prescribe the smallest effective dosage that works to lower your blood sugar levels. Keep reading for an Ozempic dosage guide for common dosages. Ozempic forms Ozempic comes as a liquid solution in prefilled single-patient-use pens. The drug is given as a subcutaneous injection. After a healthcare professional has shown you how to inject Ozempic correctly, you may be able to give yourself the injections at home. Ozempic strengths Ozempic prefilled single-patient-use pens are available in three strengths:2 milligrams (mg) per 1.5 milliliters (mL) of liquid solution. There are two pens with this strength:One pen delivers 0.25-mg or 0.5-mg doses.Another pen delivers 1-mg doses.4 mg/3 mL of liquid solution. There’s one pen with this strength, and it delivers 1-mg doses.8 mg/3 mL of liquid solution. There’s one pen with this strength, and it delivers 2-mg doses. Typical dosages Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. The dosing schedule for Ozempic is as follows:You’ll start with a dosage of 0.25 mg once per week. You’ll take this dosage for 4 weeks.Then, your doctor will typically increase your dosage to 0.5 mg once per week. They’ll usually have you take this dosage for at least 4 weeks.It’s possible that the 0.5-mg dosage may not manage your blood sugar well enough after 4 weeks. If this happens, your doctor may increase your dosage to 1 mg once per week. Or your doctor might recommend the maximum dosage of 2 mg once per week. But if the 0.5-mg dose works for you, your doctor will typically have you keep taking it. Long-term use Ozempic is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ozempic is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. Frequently asked questions Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about Ozempic dosages. What is Ozempic s dosage per pen Ozempic prefilled single-patient-use pens have different strengths and dosages. For details, see “Ozempic strengths” in the “Ozempic dosage” section above. If you’re outside of the United States, you may hear Ozempic referred to as Ozempic DualDose. This refers to the pen that delivers 0.25-milligram (mg) or 0.5-mg doses. To learn more about Ozempic’s dosages, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Is Ozempic prescribed for weight loss If it is what s its dosage Ozempic isn’t approved for weight loss. But the drug may be prescribed off-label for this use. “Off-label” use is when a drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than one it’s approved for. The active drug in Ozempic, semaglutide, is also the active drug in the medication Wegovy. And Wegovy is approved for weight management. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t use both Ozempic and Wegovy at the same time. Because both medications contain semaglutide, using Ozempic and Wegovy could increase your risk of side effects. If you’re interested in learning more about using Ozempic or Wegovy for weight management, talk with your doctor. How to use Ozempic Ozempic comes as a liquid solution in prefilled single-patient-use pens. The drug is given as a subcutaneous injection. After a healthcare professional has shown you how to inject Ozempic correctly, you may be able to give yourself the injections at home. Ozempic may be injected just under the skin of your:abdomen (belly)upper thighback of your upper arm If you also self-inject insulin for type 2 diabetes, you can inject Ozempic and the insulin in the same body part, such as your upper thigh. But you should not use the same spot for both injections. Using different spots can help you prevent skin irritation. And keep in mind that you should not mix insulin and Ozempic together into the same injection. Be sure to inject Ozempic on the same day each week. But you can take your dose at any time of day, with or without food. For instructions about how to self-inject Ozempic, see the drug’s medication guide. You can also see detailed instructions and a dosage video on the manufacturer’s site. If you have additional questions about how to use Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Missed dose If you miss a dose of Ozempic, try to take it as soon as you remember. You can take a missed dose up to 5 days after you were originally supposed to take it. If more than 5 days have passed since your missed dose, skip the missed dose. Wait and take your next dose at the regular time. You can then resume your usual dosing schedule with Ozempic. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too. Ozempic and overdose It’s important that you don’t use more Ozempic than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose. If you take more than the recommended amount of Ozempic Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Ozempic. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. Takeaway and helpful resources The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ozempic for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. As with any drug, never change your dosage of Ozempic without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Ozempic that’s right for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Ozempic. These additional articles might be helpful to you:More about Ozempic. For information about other aspects of Ozempic, refer to this article.Side effects. To learn about side effects of Ozempic, see this article. You can also look at the Ozempic medication guide.Drug comparison. To see the similarities and differences between Ozempic and other drugs, you can read about its comparisons with Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza.Details about type 2 diabetes. For details about type 2 diabetes, see our diabetes hub as well as our list of diabetes articles. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Last medically reviewed on May 15, 2022DiabetesType 2Heart DiseaseCardiovascular / CardiologyPharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA — Updated on May 15, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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