There are numerous treatment options for people with type 2 diabetes, including diet and exercise, antidiabetic medications such as metformin pills, insulin therapy and other subcutaneous injections such as Mounjaro , Ozempic , Victoza , Trulicity , Byetta
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription drug. It comes in the form of an injection pen so that patients can easily administer it at home.
But while using an Ozempic pen is fairly simple, the subcutaneous injection can be daunting for some people. So here's a step-by-step guide on how to use an Ozempic pen correctly.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic is the brand name of the active ingredient semaglutide. It is an injectable medication used to treat high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with a balanced diet and physical exercise.
Ozempic is an antidiabetic drug that helps lower blood sugar levels. Like Trulicity, Mounjaro or Victoza, it is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonist that stimulates the body's insulin production after the ingestion of carbohydrates or sugar to lower blood sugar levels after a meal.
Ozempic is usually given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once a week . Ozempic is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and is available in the form of auto-injector pens.
Semaglutide is also sometimes prescribed as an anti-obesity medication for long-term weight control under the brand names Wegovy and Rybelsus.
Ozempic is not insulin and is not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes, whose pancreas can no longer produce insulin. Although insulin and Ozempic are both antidiabetic injections, they have different effects.
Ozempic administration as Ozempic Pen
Ozempic is only dispensed in injection pens (also called medication pens), a device used to inject liquid medicine under the skin through subcutaneous injections. This type of injection device is designed to increase comfort and ease of use for patients compared to traditional injection bottles and syringes.
If your doctor prescribes Ozempic for you, the pharmacy will supply injection pens. These are already filled with the Ozempic solution (with different doses of 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg, depending on the prescription). You will also receive disposable needles that are attached to the pen to inject the medicine under the skin.
Ozempic pens each deliver 4 doses of Ozempic. They are single-use products and must be thrown away once empty.
The correct Ozempic Pen application
Your doctors or nurses probably showed you how to use an Ozempic pen before sending you home with your new treatment.
But it can be intimidating to use an Ozempic injection pen alone at home for the first time . Here is a step-by-step guide to using the pen correctly:
A step-by-step guide to using an Ozempic Pen
Before you start, please read the Ozempic package leaflet and the Ozempic product information brochure .
Then, prepare all your injection equipment (Ozempic pen, disposable needles, sharps container) on a clean table where you can sit comfortably. Then, wash your hands with soap and dry them gently before performing the following steps:
1. Preparation of the Ozempic pen
Check the label to make sure your pen contains Ozempic (especially if you are being treated with combination therapy of insulin and Ozempic ).
Check the expiration date printed on the pen and examine the medicine inside. The liquid should be clear and colorless . If you notice any solids such as white threads or particles, or if the liquid inside looks different than usual, it may be spoiled.
Never use Ozempic if it has gone out of date . If in doubt, throw the pen away immediately and get a new one from the fridge.
2. Needle attachment to the pen
Ozempic pens work with disposable needles that you must attach to the pen before each injection.
To attach a new needle to an Ozempic pen, first tear off the paper tab on the needle. Then screw the needle onto the rubber cap on the pen until it is secure. Now remove the outer cap (the large one) and the inner cap (the small one) from the needle. Be sure to keep the outer cap to one side so that you can safely remove the needle later .
3. Adjusting & venting the Ozempic Pen
Priming the pen is a necessary step that you must do before each Ozempic injection . It helps remove air bubbles and ensures that the needle does not become clogged and that you receive your full dose of Ozempic.
Prime your Ozempic pen by turning the dose selector to the flow control symbol (a sharp line with two dots). Now hold the pen with the needle pointing upwards and tap the pen with your finger to push the air bubbles upwards.
Then press the injection button all the way in until the dose counter goes back to zero. You should see a drop of Ozempic appear at the needle tip . If not, repeat the process.
4. Dosage selection of Ozempic
Pay attention to the dose window and make sure it is set to zero. Then turn the dose selector until the counter shows the dose of Ozempic prescribed by the doctor ( 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg for the red pens, 1 mg for the blue pens ).
When your Ozempic pen is empty, the dose knob cannot be turned any further (it is blocked). Always check that the dose is set correctly before injecting Ozempic.
5. Inject your Ozempic dose
Now inject your dose of Ozempic subcutaneously. Choose a suitable injection site. Usually Ozempic is injected under the skin of the abdomen, waist or upper arm. However, avoid injecting near a muscle or vein. And remember: change your injection site with each injection
Hold the Ozempic pen with the hand you write with so that your thumb is free. Now insert the needle into your skin at a 90-degree angle in one quick motion. Once the needle is fully inserted, press and hold the dispensing button with your thumb.
Now wait another 6 seconds without moving to ensure that the dose has been fully administered. Now check that the dose window is back at zero and then pull the needle straight out of the skin.
We recommend that you read this article, which summarizes some tips for injecting insulin painlessly . Of course, the same tips also apply to Ozempic injections!
6. After injection
Replace the outer needle cap to safely unscrew the needle from your Ozempic pen. Place it in a sharps container.
Be sure to always replace the pen cap. It reliably protects your Ozempic from light and all possible environmental conditions.
7. Proper storage of your Ozempic pen
Make sure you store your Ozempic pen properly until your next injection. Remember that Ozempic is a biological and temperature-sensitive medicine.
After the first use, Ozempic can be stored at room temperature (maximum 30 °C) or returned to the refrigerator. It must be used within 56 days.
Similar article:Ozempic for weight loss: effects, side effects, results, and alternatives
Ozempic - How long does one pen last?
The dosage of Ozempic must be coordinated with your doctor. The starting dose is usually 0.25 mg per week for the first four weeks. Then the dose is increased to 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg - depending on your needs, lifestyle, and A1C goals.
Regardless of your dose and the pen you use, all Ozempic pens contain four weekly doses. But one thing is certain: the amount of medicine in the pen varies. There are three options:
- The Ozempic Pen 2 mg/1.5 ml contains either 4 weekly doses of 0.25 mg plus 2 weekly doses of 0.5 mg per injection or 4 weekly doses of 0.5 mg per injection.
- Ozempic Pen 4 mg/3 mL contains 4 weekly doses of 1 mg per injection.
- Ozempic Pen 8 mg/3 mL contains 4 weekly doses of 2 mg per injection.
How many Ozempic Pens are in a pack?
Each pack contains a prefilled Ozempic pen and 4 to 6 disposable needles.
How long does an Ozempic Pen last?
Each Ozempic pen contains 4 weekly injections of the medication, so one Ozempic pen will typically last for one month (4 weeks) when stored under the correct conditions (temperature and light).
What are the Ozempic prices?
Here you can find orientation information regarding the prices for Ozempic from Novocare :
- Ozempic 0.25 or 0.5 mg: 20.22€ / one dose
- Ozempic 1 mg: 18.34€/ one dose
- Ozempic 1.7 mg: not available
- Ozempic 2.4 mg: not available
However, most people do not pay the list price and are entitled to full or partial reimbursement of costs by their health insurance company with a prescription from a doctor.
Are you taking Ozempic? What are your experiences with this diabetes medication? Please share them with us in the comment box below!
