What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is an injection containing the active ingredient semaglutide and is used to manage blood sugar levels and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic, or semaglutide, is a GLP-1 analogue medicine. This means it increases the level of a specific hormone, called incretin, to help your body produce more insulin when it is needed. People with type 2 diabetes who use Ozempic to manage their blood sugar levels have reported weight loss.
Good to know: You must have a prescription from a doctor to be able to get Ozempic from a pharmacy for type 2 diabetes.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic belongs to a group of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. When used to manage blood glucose levels, Ozempic works by binding to a receptor called the GLP-1 receptor which stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas when you need it. The release of insulin lowers blood sugar levels and slows the release of glucagon (sugar) from your liver.
How effective is Ozempic?
Research shows that semaglutide is effective at lowering blood glucose levels. Injected semaglutide lowered HbA1c levels by 1.01% and 1.38% in clinical trials and was shown to be a more efficient treatment compared to other anti-diabetic medicines.
How long does Ozempic take to work?
Many people notice that their blood sugar levels are lower within the first week of using Ozempic but it can take 8 weeks or more to see the full effects.
Is Ozempic safe?
Ozempic is considered safe for use to treat type 2 diabetes but only under the instruction of your doctor.
Who can use Ozempic?
Ozempic is recommended for adults whose type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled by other medications. For example:
- when metformin is not considered appropriate for use because of intolerance or contraindications
- in addition to other diabetes medicines
Ozempic should be used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should not use Ozempic if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including semaglutide. It is also not suitable if you have type 1 diabetes.
How to take Ozempic
You take Ozempic by injecting it once a week. You should only use Ozempic exactly how your doctor has prescribed. The dose must only be changed if your doctor tells you to.
How do I inject Ozempic?
Ozempic is injected under the skin (subcutaneously). It comes as a pre-filled pen which you use by placing on the injection site.
Where can I inject Ozempic?
Ozempic can be injected under the skin on your upper arm, stomach, or thigh. You should avoid using the same injection site each time.
How long does an Ozempic pen last?
An Ozempic pen should be thrown away after 56 days even if it has medicine still in it. Discard it in your sharps bin and make a note of the disposal date on your calendar.Â
Is Ozempic available as a tablet?Â
Although the brand name Ozempic isn’t available as a tablet, the active ingredient, semaglutide, is. It is available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes under the brand name Rybelsus. Rybelsus tablets are usually taken once per day at least 2 hours after food. It works in the same way as an Ozempic injection and has the same effects.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
Like all medicines, Ozempic can cause side effects, but you may not experience any. Here is a list of potential Ozempic side effects.
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Common
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)
- indigestion
- inflamed stomach (gastritis)
- heartburn
- bloating
- stomach pain
- gas
- gallstones
- tiredness
- dizziness
- low appetite
- weight loss
- low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
- diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) complications
- eye problems, such as vision changes
Uncommon
- change in taste
- fast pulse
- allergic reactions
- injection site reactions like bruising, pain, irritation and rash
- inflamed pancreas
Ozempic slows the time it takes for food and drink to pass through your stomach. Sometimes, this can lead to side effects such as feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. If this happens, you should drink plenty of fluids (water) to prevent dehydration.Â
How to manage the side effects of Ozempic
If you experience any side effects while taking Ozempic, you should speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice. Most common side effects can be managed at home by making sure you stay hydrated and taking over the counter pain relief.
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Usually, side effects will go away naturally as your body gets used to the treatment.
Are there any long-term side effects?Â
Most side effects will get better quickly once you stop treatment.Â
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A condition called diabetic retinopathy requires special attention. It is a serious eye disease that can cause blindness in people with type 2 diabetes. Some people who take Ozempic may notice a temporary worsening of this condition. If this happens, you should speak to your doctor for advice and maintain regular vision checkups.Â
Are there any serious side effects of Ozempic?
There are some serious side effects associated with Ozempic, but these are rare.
One of the most serious potential side effects of Ozempic is it might increase the risk of thyroid tumours or thyroid cancer. This was shown to be true in rodent studies with this drug, but not in humans (though it cannot be fully excluded).Â
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If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should speak to your doctor immediately:
- a lump or swelling in your neck
- neck pain
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- voice changes
- a cough that won’t go away
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