Ozempic (generic name: semaglutide) is a medication designed to help control blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and also reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the gut. It is released in response to food, prompting the release of insulin as well as a reduction in appetite. 

In the case of people with type 2 diabetes, it acts to slow digestion and, in this way, stimulates increased production of natural insulin. In this sense, Ozempic does not work like other treatments of diabetes, which provide the required insulin from external sources (injection or oral insulin). Some doctors do treat type 1 diabetes with Ozempic, but this is an off-label use and does not have FDA approval. Read more about off-label prescribing here.

For people who have been classified as overweight or obese, Ozempic may be prescribed as an off-label weight-loss treatment along with appropriate diet controls and exercise. The primary effect of Ozempic in this treatment is as an appetite suppressant. Wegovy, the sister drug to Ozempic, uses the same GLP-1 generic compound (semaglutide) and does have FDA approval for weight loss.

Special benefits provided by Ozempic

As well as its effectiveness in controlling blood-sugar levels without insulin, Ozempic acts to lower the levels of A1C. The hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test measures average blood sugar levels over a period of 3 months. It is an effective test for diagnosis of prediabetes and tracking development of diabetes.

In a study of over 1200 adults treated with once-weekly Ozempic, patients that started with an average A1C of 8.1 reached an A1C less than 7 (the target for healthy blood sugar level) after twelve months.

Ozempic also lowers the risk of major events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in people with preconditions of cardiovascular disease.

Ozempic works to reduce appetite and feelings of hunger, which can, along with good diet and exercise programs, induce weight loss and to sustain weight reduction. GLP-1, the key hormone in Ozempic, reduces gastric emptying (the speed at which the stomach empties of food) and blocks production of glucagon, the hormone that instructs the liver to release stored glucose. Both of these will cause a reduction in the need for food intake.

Dosage and Administration

Usually, the dosage starts at 0.25 mg once weekly. After four doses, it will be increased to 0.5 mg each week. Possible further increases may be prescribed by your doctor at the end of each four weeks if the results indicate that higher doses are needed.

Ozempic is self-administered from the supplied kit containing a pre-filled pen with one month’s supply (four doses plus needles). The kit should be kept refrigerated.

It is advisable when you take the first dose to be under supervision, since there have been reports of a very small number of people suffering anaphylactic shock with the first administration of Ozempic. Your doctor or nurse should show you how to self-administer.

Ozempic should be administered once weekly on the same day and at the same time of day, with or without meals. If a dose is missed, administer one within five days of the skipped one, but do not double-dose! Ozempic should be injected just under the skin into the upper thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Swap injection sites on a four-week cycle so that you are not injecting into the same area each week. At the very least, do not inject closer than 15 centimeters (6 inches) from the previous week’s site.

The FDA has only approved Ozempic for prescription to adult type 2 diabetic patients. It is not used to control type 1 diabetes. For weight loss, doctors can prescribe Ozempic off-label, or its sister drug Wegovy, which is approved by the FDA for overweight and obese patients.

Before injecting, check that the Ozempic pen is clear and free of particles or discoloration. If it does, immediately replace it.

Do not share your Ozempic pen with others, even if the needle has been replaced. The dosage in the pen has been calibrated for your requirements. You could also cause or receive a serious infection.

Frequently asked qestions about Ozempic

How does Ozempic work for diabetes?

Ozempic is designed to control blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes who are not producing sufficient insulin or who are not processing insulin correctly (hyperglycemia). Ozempic has the effect of increasing insulin sensitivity while inhibiting glucose production in the liver. Ozempic is different from other treatments of diabetes, which provide insulin from external sources (injection or oral insulin).

How many doses of Ozempic are in one pen?

Each Ozempic pen has exactly four doses calibrated to match your doctor’s prescription strength.

How long do you take Ozempic for diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is not curable. Anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes should be under regular supervision by a healthcare professional and should continue the prescribed medications as long as they are needed. Treatments aim to either reduce sugar levels in the blood with diet or boost insulin levels directly with oral or injected insulin or, like Ozempic, to stimulate the natural secretion of insulin.

Can anyone get Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic has only been approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes, and can only be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Most doctors are now prescribing its FDA-approved sister drug Wegovy for patients who are seriously overweight or obese. The criteria are for the patient to have a bods mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or BMI of 27-30 if there are associated conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea.)