Ozempic is a self-injectable medication that is taken once per week. You will start on a low dose of 0.25mg, which increases every 4 weeks until you reach the highest 2mg dose, or your blood sugar levels are under control.

To take Ozempic, you will need to:

1. Check the name and coloured label on the pen to make sure you have the correct dose. Then, inspect the solution to ensure it is clear and colourless.
2. Take a new needle and attach it correctly to the pen by pushing it straight onto the pen.
3. Remove both caps from the needle, keeping the outer needle cap for later. Throw away the inner cap.
4. Check the flow of your pen if it is a new pen.
5. Select your dose by turning the dose counter until it stops and shows the correct dose.
6. Inject your dose by inserting the needle into your skin and making sure you can see the dose counter.
7. Press and hold the dose button and watch as the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must line up with the dose pointer, and you may feel or hear a click.
8. Count slowly to 6, keeping the dose button pressed.
9. Remove the needle from your skin.
10. Dispose of the needle after each injection in a sharps bin.
11. Put the pen cap back on to protect the solution from light.

Your doctor or nurse will show you how to use the Ozempic pen before you use it for the first time.

Where is the best place to inject Ozempic?

The best places to give the injection are:

• the front of your thighs
• the front of your waist
• your upper arm

Ozempic injections are given just under the skin, also known as a subcutaneous injection. It is not injected into a vein or muscle.

What are the doses of Ozempic?

There are 4 doses of Ozempic available. They are:

• 0.25mg
• 0.5mg
• 1mg
• 2mg

You’ll start with the lowest 0.25mg dose, injecting it once per week for 4 weeks. If you respond well and are not getting any severe side effects, your doctor may increase your dose for 4 weeks to the 0.5mg dose and so on.

Not everyone will need the 2mg dose, with most people controlling their blood sugar with the 0.5mg or 1mg maintenance doses. You should only increase your dose if your doctor tells you to.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to inject a dose of Ozempic and it has been:

• 5 days or less since you should have injected it, use it as soon as you remember and then inject your next dose on your usual scheduled day
• more than 5 days since you should have taken your dose, skip the missed one and then inject your next dose as usual on your usual scheduled day

Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Ozempic is not available for weight loss in the UK. It was previously being prescribed ‘off-label’ for weight loss, but due to a high demand, it meant that people who needed it for their diabetes could not access it. Instead, Wegovy is available as an alternative to Ozempic, which also contains semaglutide, but is licensed for weight loss.

Before buying Wegovy or Ozempic online, there are a few things you should do to make sure you are buying genuine medication from a reputable source. They are:

1. Check that the pharmacy or online doctor service you are requesting your medication from is regulated or licensed with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the MHRA. Look for a regulation page, like ours, or registration details.
2. Weight loss medications require a prescription – if the medication is sold without one, it’s likely to be fake or dangerous.
3. You need to have a consultation with a registered healthcare professional before you can buy weight loss medications. If you can buy the medication without one, it is unlikely to be safe.

How much does Ozempic cost?

The cost of Ozempic can vary depending on where you purchase it from, and because it’s prescribed off-label, you could be paying a lot more than the medication is worth.