If you use the 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg maintenance dose per week, your pen will hold 4 doses and last for one month.
Once you stop Ozempic, the benefits from the medication typically decrease within a week after the last injection—which is why Novo Nordisk recommends taking the drug every 7 days, on the same day. With supply issues and drug shortages, that might not always be possible.
The pen that administers both the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses contains a total of 8 doses of 0.25 mg or 4 doses of 0.5 mg. Most patients use this pen to take 4 doses of the starting dose (0.25 mg) then 2 doses of the next highest dose (0.5 mg) before switching to a new pen.
Once used, it can be stored for 56 days at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F or in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F. Ozempic will expire 56 days after the pen's first use and should be properly disposed of, even if there is medicine remaining in the pen.
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.
Dose of Ozempic. A higher dose like 0.5 mg or 1 mg once weekly can lead to slightly greater weight loss in the first month compared to the starting dose of 0.25 mg.
A dose of 0.5 to 1 mg per week (double the maximum approved diabetes dose) seems to provide the maximum weight loss benefits for many people using Ozempic off-label.
Prior to first use (until expiration date): Ozempic® should be refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). After first use (up to 56 days): Ozempic® should be stored at room temperature 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
If you miss a dose of Ozempic®, use it as soon as possible within 5 days after your missed dose. If you miss a dose for more than 5 days, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose of Wegovy™, and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, use it as soon as possible.
This carton containing 2 pens can last you a whole month. You would only need this pen if your doctor has prescribed you the higher dose of 1 mg per week of Ozempic injection. Your Ozempic pen should be stored in the refrigerator (between 36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C) until the first time you use it.
If you count the clicks (notches on the pen) as you turn the dosing dial you will notice that there are approximately 78 clicks for 1.0 mg. To give yourself 0.5 mg turn the dosing dial to 38 clicks and administer! You will notice at around 38 clicks the notch on the dosing dial is subtly different.
A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
Your typical Ozempic dosage will likely be between 0.5 mg and 2 mg once weekly (the maximum dose). Your healthcare provider will give you instructions for how much to inject each week. Follow the directions given to you, which may be different from those provided above.
For Ozempic, the peak time is about 2-4 days after the first dose and around 4 weeks after regular dosing. The peak time refers to the time at which the medication reaches its highest concentration in the body.
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
For example, greasy foods can slow down the absorption of Ozempic, making it less effective at controlling your appetite and blood sugar levels. Similarly, sugary foods can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, counteracting the effect of Ozempic and potentially leading to weight gain.
You may need a higher dosage of Ozempic
The same holds true for Ozempic's weight loss results. People taking higher doses of Ozempic tend to lose more weight. In the landmark study we cited above, people lost 7% of their body weight, on average, within a year and a half of taking 1mg of semaglutide.
Can I drink alcohol while using Ozempic? The short answer is yes: you can drink alcohol while taking Ozempic. In the U.S., where Ozempic is created and distributed from, the Food and Drug Administration has not provided any specific disclaimers on mixing Ozempic and alcohol [1].
“GLP-1 medications [like Ozempic] are designed to be taken long-term,” explains Dr. McGowan. “They are chronic medications for the treatment of chronic conditions (both diabetes and obesity).”
You can assist Ozempic by lowering your overall calorie intake, moving your body where possible and limiting your alcohol consumption.
Most patients will start Ozempic treatment at the lower 0.25 mg dose injected once a week for 4 weeks. The 0.25 mg dose is not used as your final maintenance dose to lower your blood sugar.
A study found that at the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg), patients lost on average 15% of their total body weight after 1 year. In patients with diabetes, one study showed that taking Ozempic at the highest dose of 2 mg led to on average ~15 lbs (6.9 kg) weight loss after 40 weeks.