Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to manage type 2 diabetes. This injectable medicine works as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics a natural hormone, GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and can also influence appetite.
Standard Ozempic Dosing
Ozempic is administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly. This convenient dosing schedule is possible because semaglutide has an approximate seven-day elimination half-life. This extended presence allows for consistent therapeutic effects with infrequent dosing. To maintain a steady level, it is typically injected on the same day each week, though the time of day can be flexible, and it can be taken with or without food.
The usual starting dose for Ozempic is 0.25 milligrams (mg) once weekly for the first four weeks. This initial low dose helps the body gradually adjust to the medication and minimize potential gastrointestinal side effects. After this initial period, the dose is commonly increased to 0.5 mg once weekly.
Adjusting Your Ozempic Dose
While the injection frequency remains once weekly, the dose is typically increased gradually over time. This process, known as dose titration, helps the body adapt to the medication and reduces the likelihood of experiencing side effects such as nausea or vomiting. A healthcare provider determines the appropriate dose adjustments based on an individual’s response to the treatment and their tolerability.
If further blood sugar control is needed after at least four weeks on the 0.5 mg dose, it may be increased to 1 mg once weekly. The maximum recommended dosage for Ozempic is 2 mg once weekly, with dose increases typically occurring every four weeks to allow the body to adjust.
Managing Missed Ozempic Doses
If a weekly Ozempic injection is missed, guidelines apply. If five days (120 hours) or less have passed since the missed dose was due, the injection should be taken as soon as it is remembered. The regular once-weekly dosing schedule can then be resumed on the originally scheduled day.
However, if more than five days (120 hours) have elapsed since the missed dose, that dose should be skipped entirely. The next scheduled dose should be taken on the regular day. It is important to avoid taking two doses to compensate for a missed one. For any questions or concerns regarding missed doses, consulting a healthcare provider is always recommended.