Ozempic Alternatives: Exploring Other Medication Options
Dr Ashwin Sharma
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Jul 15, 2024
Our Levity experts share how Ozempic works on a biological level as well as the variety of effective alternatives that are available.
At Levity, we understand that injecting weight loss medication for the first time can be daunting but most patients find that they get used to the process very quickly and it becomes just another part of their routine. Here our experts outline each step in the Ozempic injection process so that you can feel confident starting your weight loss journey.
Ozempic is the brand name for an injectable prescription medication that contains the active ingredient semaglutide and it is part of a wider drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Ozempic was initially developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but has gained popularity in recent years due its effectiveness in promoting weight loss for adults with obesity. Ozempic promotes weight loss by mimicking a hormone in your gut that is naturally produced after you eat. The hormone signals to the brain that you are full, slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite and regulates blood sugar levels. Clinical trials for Ozempic in people with type 2 diabetes show it can help you lose on average up to 7% of your body weight in one year. [1]
We recommend familiarizing yourself with each step in the injection process before you attempt to inject your medication for the first time.
Get ready to inject your Ozempic treatment by removing your medication from the refrigerator and placing all the items you need on a clean surface. This includes your medication pen, alcohol swab, disposable needle and sharps container.
To check that your Ozempic is not damaged and ready to use, you need to check the following:
If the Ozempic pen or needle looks damaged or is expired and if the medication looks cloudy or colored, do not use the medication. [2]
Ozempic is administered as a subcutaneous injection which means it is injected just below the skin. You can choose to inject it in the stomach, upper arm or thigh. It doesn’t matter which site you choose as long as it is easily accessible and you can see the clear dose window on the pen.
Once you’ve chosen your injection site, wipe it clean with an alcohol swab and let it dry before administering your dose. [2]
Now it's time to select a new needle and attach it to your pen. Remember, you’ll need to select a fresh needle each time you administer your medication.
First remove the paper tab from the outer needle shield and push the needle onto the pen and twist until it's secure.
Once the needle is securely attached, you can remove both needle caps and dispose of them in your sharps container.
You’ll only need to check the flow of your pen before your first injection with a new Ozempic pen.
Turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol and make sure the flow check symbol lines up with the dose pointer. Then with the needle pointing upwards press the dose button until a small drop of medication appears at the tip of the needle. This means the needle is ready for use.
If a drop does not appear, check the flow again. This should only be done twice. If there is still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more. Do not use the pen if a drop of Ozempic still does not appear. [2]
Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops, and it shows your prescribed dose. The dashed line in the dose counter will guide you to your dose. When your prescribed dose lines up with the dose pointer, you have selected your dose. [2]
It is important to make sure you are injecting the correct dose of Ozempic and following the dosage guide provided to you.
To inject your medication, you need to position the pen at the injection site, ensuring you can see the pen window.
Insert the needle into your skin and inject the medication by holding down the dose knob while you count to 6. The ‘0’ icon should be visible in the dose window before removing the needle from the skin.
If blood appears at the injection site when you remove the needle from your skin, press on it lightly with a clean cotton ball or tissue, but do not rub the area. [2]
Now that you’ve successfully injected your medication, it is time to dispose of it safely.
You can do this by unscrewing the needle from the pen and disposing of the used needle in your sharps container. Be careful to not touch the needle tip while doing this.
Your Ozempic pen contains enough medication for four doses which means you need to store your pen safely in between weekly doses. You can do this by placing the pen cap back on your pen after each use and storing your medication in the refrigerator between 2-8°C.
Once you have administered all four doses from your Ozempic pen, you can dispose of the pen in your household bin. [2]
When to use your treatment: Ozempic is a weekly injection and should be taken on the same day at roughly the same time. We recommend setting a reminder on your phone so that you don’t forget.
Storing your treatment: Your medication should be stored in the fridge when it is not being used.
Safely storing your sharps container: Remember to keep your sharps container or hard plastic container that you use to dispose of needles out of reach of children and pets and never put your sharps inside your household bin.
Never reuse a needle: Used needles can carry bacteria and increase the potential risk of infection. They also become damaged with every use, which can cause pain and scarring when you inject.
If you miss a dose: If you forget to take your medication it should be administered as soon as possible and within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, the missed dose should be skipped, and the next dose should be administered on the regularly scheduled day.
Clinical help is available: If you have any additional questions or concerns about how to inject Ozempic the Levity clinical team is here to help.
See if you're eligible for weight loss treatments through Levity. Start a free online consultation with our expert team today.
[1] Davies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, Pakseresht A, Pedersen SD, Perreault L, et al. Semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet [Internet]. 2021 Mar;397(10278):971–84. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33667417/
[2] HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from: https://www.novo-pi.com/ozempic.pdf
Our Levity experts share how Ozempic works on a biological level as well as the variety of effective alternatives that are available.
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