Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to:
1. Treat type 2 diabetes: Improves glycemic control, reducing HbA1c levels.
2. Reduce cardiovascular risk: Lowers risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
3. Aid in weight loss: Helps with weight management, particularly for individuals with obesity.
## How it works
Ozempic:
1. Mimics GLP-1 hormone: Stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion.
2. Delays gastric emptying: Slows down stomach emptying, reducing postprandial glucose spikes.
3. Decreases appetite: Helps reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.
## Administration
Ozempic is administered via:
1. Injection: Once-weekly subcutaneous injection.
Ozempic comes in various dosages, including 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg ¹. Here's a breakdown of the dosing schedule:
- Initial dose: 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks
- Maintenance dose: 0.5 mg once a week, which may be increased to 1 mg after at least 4 weeks, especially for patients with chronic kidney disease
- Maximum dose: 2 mg once a week
When using Ozempic, it's essential to follow the user guide:
- Preparation: Prepare the pen and needle, ensuring the pen label matches the prescribed medication and the liquid is clear
- Flow check: Check the flow by turning the dose selector to the flow check symbol and pressing the dose button until "0" is displayed
- Dose selection: Select the prescribed dose by turning the dose selector
- Injection: Inject the medication into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm, changing the injection site each time
