Erica Prouty, PharmD, is a professional pharmacist assisting patients with medication and pharmacy services in North Adams, Massachusetts.
In non-human animal studies, semaglutide has been shown to cause C-cell thyroid tumors in rodents. However, it is unclear whether this risk extends to humans. However, semaglutide should not be used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or in people with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription drug used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Ozone is not insulin. It works by helping the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar levels are high and by preventing the liver from making and releasing too much sugar. Ozone also slows down the movement of food through the stomach, reducing appetite and causing weight loss. Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
Ozempic does not cure type 1 diabetes. Use in patients with pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) has not been studied.
Before you start taking Ozempic, read the patient information leaflet with your prescription and ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
Be sure to take this medicine as directed. People usually start with the lowest dose and increase it gradually as directed by their health care provider. However, you should not change your dose of Ozempic without talking to your healthcare professional.
Ozempic is a subcutaneous injection. This means that it is injected under the skin of the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. People usually get their weekly dose on the same day of the week. Your healthcare provider will tell you where to inject your dose.
Ozempic’s ingredient, semaglutide, is also available in tablet form under the brand name Rybelsus and in another injectable form under the brand name Wegovy. Do not use different types of semaglutide at the same time.
Ask your health care provider how often you should check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is too low, you may feel chills, hunger, or dizziness. Your health care provider will tell you how to treat low blood sugar, usually with a small amount of apple juice or fast-acting glucose tablets. Some people also use prescription glucagon by injection or nasal spray to treat severe emergency cases of hypoglycemia.
Store Ozempic in the original packaging in the refrigerator, protected from light. Do not use expired or frozen pens.
You can reuse the pen several times with a new needle for each dose. Never reuse injection needles. After using the pen, remove the needle and place the used needle in a sharps container for proper disposal. Sharps disposal containers are commonly available from pharmacies, medical supply companies, and health care providers. According to the FDA, if a sharps disposal container is not available, you can use a household container that meets the following requirements:
When you’re done using the pen, put the cap back on and place it back in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Keep it away from heat or light. Throw away the pen 56 days after first use or if there are less than 0.25 milligrams (mg) left (as indicated on the dose counter).
Keep Ozempic away from children and pets. Never share an Ozempic pen with other people, even if you are changing the needle.
Health care providers may use Ozempic off-label, meaning in situations not specifically identified by the FDA. Semaglutide is also sometimes used to help people manage their weight through a combination of diet and exercise.
After the first dose, Ozempic takes one to three days to reach maximum levels in the body. However, Ozempic does not lower blood sugar at the initial dose. You may need to have your blood sugar checked after eight weeks of treatment. If your dose is not working at this stage, your healthcare provider may increase your weekly dose again.
This is not a complete list of side effects, other side effects may occur. A healthcare professional can tell you about side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your health care provider. You can report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any serious side effects. If your symptoms are life-threatening or you think you need emergency medical attention, call 911. Serious side effects and their symptoms may include the following:
Report symptoms to your healthcare provider or seek emergency care if needed. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, including:
Ozone may cause other side effects. Call your health care provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.
If you experience serious side effects, you or your healthcare provider can file a report with the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or call (800-332-1088).
The dose of this medicine will vary for different patients. Follow your doctor’s directions or directions on the label. The information below includes only the average dose of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to.
The amount of medicine you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you take the medicine depends on the medical problem you are using the medicine for.
In some cases, it may be necessary to change or adjust the treatment with Ozempic. Some people may need to be careful when taking this medication.
Non-human animal studies indicate that exposure to semaglutide may cause potential harm to the fetus. However, these studies do not replace human studies and are not necessarily applicable to humans.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please contact your healthcare provider for advice. You may need to stop taking Ozempic at least two months before you become pregnant. People of childbearing age should use effective birth control while taking Ozempic and for at least two months after the last dose.
If you are breastfeeding, please consult your healthcare professional before using Ozempic. It is not known if Ozempic passes into breast milk.
Some adults aged 65 and over are more sensitive to Ozempic. In some cases, starting at a lower dose and gradually increasing it may benefit older people.
If you miss a dose of Ozempic, take it as soon as possible within five days of the missed dose. Then resume your regular weekly schedule. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and resume your dose on the normal scheduled day for your dose.
An overdose of Ozempic may cause nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Depending on your symptoms, you may be given supportive care.
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Ozempic, call your healthcare provider or poison control center (800-222-1222).
It is very important that your doctor checks your progress regularly to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant.
Urgent care. Sometimes you may need emergency care for problems caused by diabetes. You must be prepared for these emergencies. It is recommended that you always wear a Medical Identification (ID) bracelet or necklace. Also, carry in your wallet or purse an ID that says you have diabetes and a list of all your medications.
This medicine may increase your risk of developing thyroid tumors. Tell your doctor right away if you have a lump or swelling in your neck or throat, if you have trouble swallowing or breathing, or if your voice becomes hoarse.
Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur when using this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you experience sudden severe abdominal pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or dizziness.
Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, recurring fever, bloating, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. These may be symptoms of gallbladder problems such as gallstones.
This medicine can cause diabetic retinopathy. Consult your doctor if you have blurred vision or any other vision changes.
This medicine does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, low blood sugar may occur when semaglutide is used with other blood sugar-lowering medicines, including insulin or sulfonylureas. Low blood sugar can also occur if you delay or skip meals or snacks, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or are unable to eat due to nausea or vomiting.
This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you develop a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while using this medication.
This medicine can cause acute kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have blood in your urine, decreased urine output, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, coma, swelling of your face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
This medicine may increase your heart rate when you are at rest. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or strong heartbeat.
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can occur if you don’t take enough or miss a dose of an antidiabetic drug, overeat or don’t follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or don’t exercise as much as you normally would.
This medicine may cause irritability, irritability, or other unusual behavior in some people. It can also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies, or become more depressive. Tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, including feelings of nervousness, anger, upset, violence, or fear. Tell your doctor right away if you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects.
Do not take other medicines unless instructed by your doctor. This includes prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.
Some people may be cautious about prescribing ozone if your healthcare provider decides it’s safe. The following conditions may require you to take Ozempic with extreme caution:
Ozone can cause hypoglycemia. Taking Ozempic with other blood sugar-lowering medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (low blood sugar). You may need to adjust the dose of other medicines, such as insulin or other medicines used to treat diabetes.
Because ozone delays gastric emptying, it can interfere with the absorption of oral medications. Ask your health care provider how to schedule other medicines while you are taking Ozempic.
Some medicines may increase the risk of kidney problems when taken with Ozempic. These drugs include:
This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Other drug interactions are possible. Tell your health care provider about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines and vitamins or supplements. This ensures that your healthcare provider has the information they need to prescribe Ozempic safely.