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Home > Drug Category > Diabetic Medications and Products > Ozempic and Equivalent

Ozempic Information

Ozempic (Semaglutide Injection) is used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to help adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus control their blood sugar levels. It may be used alone or with other medications used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is used to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications of uncontrolled diabetes, such as sudden cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke.

Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are also living with chronic kidney disease will benefit from using this medication, as it can help reduce the risk of sustained decline in kidney function and resultant end-stage kidney disease. Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone in your body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This mimicry results in effects such as increased insulin secretion from the pancreas and reduced glucagon levels, ultimately lowering blood glucose levels.

Semaglutide has a unique side effect, weight loss, which typically occurs at high doses of this medication, hence why Semaglutide is now widely used at high doses to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity or who are overweight but also have a weight-related disease. It is typically used along with dietary and lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity. It may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in obese or overweight adults who have an established cardiovascular disease. Semaglutide slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach. This leads to a feeling of fullness that lasts longer, which, in turn, tends to reduce your overall food intake and appetite. It also affects the brain's hunger centers, helping to reduce food cravings and appetite.

Semaglutide may also be used in treating aggressive fatty liver disease linked to metabolic issues like obesity or diabetes, which has caused significant scarring but has not yet progressed to cirrhosis.

Ozempic Side Effects

Like all medications, Semaglutide appears to have a range of possible side effects. Common side effects are often related to the digestive system, owing to the mechanism of slowing gastric emptying. These include constipation, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, flatulence, heartburn, and mild abdominal pain or bloating. Other side effects include redness, itching, or swelling at the injection site; fatigue; weight loss; and changes in the taste of food or drink. Contact your doctor if these mild side effects persist or worsen.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, body itching, body rash, skin blistering, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat;
• Chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat;
• Gallbladder problems with symptoms such as intermittent, severe, dull pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, intolerance of fatty or greasy foods;
• Low blood glucose with symptoms such as tremors, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, dizziness, loss of consciousness;
• Pancreatitis with symptoms like abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, vomiting;
• Vision changes such as vision loss, floaters;

Ozempic Precautions

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to semaglutide, other ingredients in Ozempic, or any other medicine. Before you start taking this medication, ensure that you inform your doctor about any prior or current medical conditions, including the following:
• Depression, especially with a history of suicidal ideation;
• Diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease);
• Heart problems such as heart block or arrhythmia;
• Kidney disease;
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
• Slow gastric emptying;
• Thyroid tumor/cancer

Some medications similar to semaglutide have been linked to the development of thyroid cancer. Therefore, do not use this medication if you or any of your family have ever had thyroid cancer, or if you have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Ozempic is specifically for people with type 2 diabetes. It is not a substitute for insulin and is not approved for treating type-1 diabetes or a life-threatening emergency known as diabetic ketoacidosis. Semaglutide is not recommended for use in individuals younger than 18 years, as the safety and efficacy in this age group have not yet been established. Tell all your health care providers that you are taking Ozempic before you are scheduled to have surgery or any other procedures.

It is advised that you stop using Ozempic at least two months before you plan to become pregnant. Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known if semaglutide passes into breast milk, so it's generally advised to avoid using it while breastfeeding. Taking this medication along with other antidiabetic medications can put you at risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is essential to consult your physician if you experience symptoms such as cold sweat, nervousness or shakiness, a rapid heartbeat, headache, and confusion. Your doctor will almost certainly need to reduce the dose of those other medications. Also, before using this medication, inform your doctor about any other medications you are currently taking, including herbal medicines and supplements, to determine if it is safe to use along with semaglutide.

Ozempic/Semaglutide is available as a prefilled injection pen. It is typically administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once per week on the same day, with or without meals. Be sure to rotate the injection site among your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm to avoid irritation. Treatment usually starts at a low dose (0.25 mg) to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, and the dose is gradually increased over several weeks, according to your physician's instructions. Never share your pen with anyone else, and use a new sterile needle for every injection. Check out the leaflet in the medication pack for more usage instructions. Store this medication in the refrigerator, but do not allow it to freeze, and keep it out of the reach of children. After the first use, the pen may be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 56 days.

Do I need a prescription to order Ozempic?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Ozempic.