Ozempic - Great North Pharmacy

Description

Ozempic is a prescription medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which work by helping your pancreas produce insulin and reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases.

Each prefilled pen contains 2 mg or 4 mg of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) for 28 days of use. The 2 mg pen is intended for patients with an initial body weight ≥ 60 kg, and the 4 mg pen is recommended for those with a body weight ≤ 60 kg or for patients who need a higher dose.

Storage Guide

Temperature:
- Store unopened pens in the refrigerator at temperature between 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F). Do not freeze.
- Once opened or in use, store the pen at room temperature not above 30°C (86°F) for a maximum of 31 days. Protect from sunlight.
- Do not shake the pen or store it in temperature above 40°C.
Handling:
- Do not touch the needle before use.
- Once a pen is opened and in use, it should not be refilled or shared with anyone.
- While in use, store it in a pen carrier provided or an equivalent protective case.
- Do not expose to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight or moisture.
Disposing of used pens:
- When the pen is empty, dispose of it in a puncture-proof container, according to local regulations.
- Do not recycle or reuse needles or cartridges.
Miscellaneous:
- Consult your healthcare professional if you have diabetes and plan to have surgery or dental work.
- Advise your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- Follow a healthy diet and regular physical activity as directed by your healthcare professional.
- Consult the patient information leaflet for more details or any concerns

Injecting Ozempic:
- Choose the thigh (outer aspect) as the injection site or the abdomen (except for the area 10 cm around the navel or the area 2 cm from the edges of the penis and testes).
- Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab before use.
- Prime the pen before use, make sure you inject a sufficient dose to ensure that a complete dose has been delivered.
- Inject Ozempic subcutaneously once a week, using a new injection site each time. Do not inject into a tumor, inflamed skin, or damaged areas. Consult your healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Dosing:
- The recommended starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once a week. Based on your individual response, your healthcare professional may increase the dose to 0.5 mg or 1 mg once a week.
- Do not take Ozempic more frequently than prescribed.
- Mixing Ozempic with other diabetes medications to improve glycemic control has not been studied and is not recommended.
- Consult your healthcare professional before making any changes to your dose.