The dosing schedule for Ozempic is as follows: You’ll start with a dosage of 0.25 mg once per week. You’ll take this dosage for 4 weeks. Then, your doctor will typically increase your dosage to 0.5 mg once per week.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
The dosing schedule for Ozempic is as follows:
You’ll start with a dosage of 0.25 mg once per week. You’ll take this dosage for 4 weeks.ozempic dosing for weight loss
Then, your doctor will typically increase your dosage to 0.5 mg once per week. They’ll usually have you take this dosage for at least 4 weeks.
It’s possible that the 0.5-mg dosage may not manage your blood sugar well enough after 4 weeks. If this happens, your doctor may increase your dosage to 1 mg once per week. Or your doctor might recommend the maximum dosage of 2 mg once per week. But if the 0.5-mg dose works for you, your doctor will typically have you keep taking it.
Long-term useozempic dosing for weight loss
Ozempic is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ozempic is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about Ozempic dosages.ozempic dosing for weight loss
What is Ozempic’s dosage per pen?
Ozempic prefilled single-patient-use pens have different strengths and dosages. For details, see “Ozempic strengths” in the “Ozempic dosage” section above.ozempic dosing for weight loss
If you’re outside of the United States, you may hear Ozempic referred to as Ozempic DualDose. This refers to the pen that delivers 0.25-milligram (mg) or 0.5-mg doses.ozempic dosing for weight loss
To learn more about Ozempic’s dosages, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Ozempic prescribed for weight loss? If it is, what’s its dosage?
Ozempic is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. But the drug may be prescribed off-label for this use. “Off-label” use is when a drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than one it’s approved for.
The active drug in Ozempic, semaglutide, is also the active drug in the medication Wegovy. And Wegovy is approved for weight management.
It’s important to note that you should not use both Ozempic and Wegovy at the same time. Because both medications contain semaglutide, using Ozempic and Wegovy could increase your risk of side effects.
If you’re interested in learning more about using Ozempic or Wegovy for weight management, talk with your doctor.
How to use Ozempic
Ozempic comes as a liquid solution in prefilled single-patient-use pens. The drug is given as a subcutaneous injection. After a healthcare professional has shown you how to inject Ozempic correctly, you may be able to give yourself the injections at home.
Ozempic may be injected just under the skin of your:
abdomen
upper thigh
back of your upper arm
If you also self-inject insulin for type 2 diabetes, you can inject Ozempic and the insulin in the same body part, such as your upper thigh. But you should not use the same spot for both injections. Using different spots can help you prevent skin irritation. And keep in mind that you should not mix insulin and Ozempic together into the same injection.
Be sure to inject Ozempic on the same day each week. But you can take your dose at any time of day, with or without food.
For instructions about how to self-inject Ozempic, see the drug’s prescribing information. You can also see detailed instructions and a dosage video on the manufacturer’s site.
If you have additional questions about how to use Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Ozempic, try to take it as soon as you remember. You can take a missed dose up to 5 days after you were originally supposed to take it.
If more than 5 days have passed since your missed dose, skip the missed dose. Wait and take your next dose at the regular time. You can then resume your usual dosing schedule with Ozempic.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.
Ozempic and overdose
It’s important that you do not use more Ozempic than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Ozempic
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Ozempic. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.