Where To Inject Ozempic: Tips For Proper Administration

A Brief Introduction To Ozempic

Ozempic is a popular brand of weight loss medication. A once weekly injection, it uses semaglutide as its active ingredient. This is the same ingredient in other weight loss injections including compounded semaglutide and Wegovy. Ozempic is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients with type 2 diabetes, but is available here at Levity off label – which means it is still prescribed by our licensed healthcare professionals but for weight management. 

Understanding Ozempic And Its Purpose

Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These work similarly to the GLP-1 hormone that the body naturally produces when we eat by regulating blood sugar levels. It also reduces hunger signals from the brain which makes you want to eat less, and delays stomach emptying – making you feel fuller for longer. [1] The effect of this is a drug that not only improves blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes but in clinical trials has shown to reduce body weight by up to 7% over a year when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. [2]

Correct Administration Of Ozempic

When To Inject Ozempic 

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that's taken once a week. You can choose to administer your injection at any time of the day, and it can be taken with or without food. Once you have chosen which day to take your Ozempic on, you’ll stick to this same day every week going forward. [3] Remember to read and follow all instructions you have been given – here at Levity we’ll send you all the information you’ll need along with your medication and a sharps disposal container with your first month’s delivery. 

Where To Inject Ozempic 

Ozempic like all GLP-1s should be injected subcutaneously. This means it should be administered into the subcutaneous (SC) tissue – the fat you can pinch between your fingers – rather than the muscle. You can choose from four different areas to inject your Ozempic into each time including the sides of the thighs, the backs of the upper arms, the abdomen and the upper outer buttocks. [4]

How To Inject Ozempic 

Ozempic is administered using a prefilled injection. The pen will contain enough doses for the entire month – so you use the same pen each time. Each dose is pre-measured and will vary each month depending on your current dosage schedule. You will receive detailed instructions with your order – and can read our full guide to Ozempic dosage here.

The Importance Of Rotating Injection Sites

In some cases, patients experience injection site reactions in the form of redness or swelling around the injection site.  We recommend rotating where you inject Ozempic each week to prevent injection site reactions as well as lipohypertrophy (inflammation or increase of the fat tissue) or scarring. [5] 

Starting Your Ozempic Treatment With Levity

Here at Levity we have a number of weight loss medications available including compounded semaglutide, Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro. If you’d like to take the first step in starting your weight loss journey, simply start an online consultation here – and our clinical team will determine your eligibility for Ozempic treatment. The entire process is online and there’s no hidden costs – your monthly medication bill includes your consultation, prescription, medication, shipping, unlimited clinical check-ins and health coaching to support your diet, lifestyle and wellbeing.

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References

1. Müller TD, Finan B, Bloom SR, D’Alessio D, Drucker DJ, Flatt PR, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Molecular Metabolism [Internet]. 2019 Dec;30:72–130. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6812410/
2. ​​Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183‌
3. Semaglutide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Brands [Internet]. Drugs.com. [cited 2024 Jun 12]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/semaglutide.html#before-taking 
4. Bahendeka S, Kaushik R, Swai AB, Otieno F, Bajaj S, Kalra S, et al. EADSG Guidelines: Insulin Storage and Optimisation of Injection Technique in Diabetes Management. Diabetes Therapy. 2019 Feb 27;10(2):341–66. 
5. Hirsch LJ, Strauss KW. The Injection Technique Factor: What You Don’t Know or Teach Can Make a Difference. Clinical Diabetes : A Publication of the American Diabetes Association [Internet]. 2019 Jul 1;37(3):227–33. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6640874/