Ozempic (semaglutide) is prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug is given as an injection under the skin once per week. Doctors usually prescribe a starting dose and a maintenance dose.
Ozempic’s typical starting dosage is 0.25 milligrams (mg) once per week for 4 weeks. Then your doctor will increase your dose to 0.5 mg per week. If needed, they’ll increase your dose over time. This increase could be up to a maximum of 1 to 2 mg per week, depending on the condition you’re using Ozempic to treat, as well as other conditions you may have.
Ozempic is used to:
- regulate blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes as part of a treatment plan that includes a healthy diet and exercise
- reduce the risk of heart-related problems (heart attack and stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (which involves the heart or blood vessels)
- reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and death from cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic (long-term) kidney disease
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide. Ozempic belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
This article describes the dosages of Ozempic, as well as its strengths and how to use the drug.
Ozempic images
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.
What is the form of Ozempic?
Ozempic comes as a liquid solution in prefilled disposable pens you use to inject the drug.
Ozempic is given as a weekly dose. Each pen has several doses. The number of doses per pen will depend on the dosage that your doctor recommends for your condition.
What strengths does Ozempic come in?
There are three Ozempic pens, which each differ in the amount of drug they contain and the doses they deliver. The pens’ strengths and sizes are described in the following table. Pen strengths are given in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) of solution, and doses are given in milligrams (mg).
| Pen strength | Dose given per injection | Number of doses per pen |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mg/3 mL (0.68 mg/mL) | 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg | starting doses plus maintenance doses: four 0.25-mg doses to start, followed by two 0.5-mg doses OR maintenance doses: four 0.5-mg doses |
| 4 mg/3 mL (1.34 mg/mL) | 1 mg | maintenance doses: four 1-mg doses |
| 8 mg/3 mL (2.68 mg/mL) | 2 mg | maintenance doses: four 2-mg doses |
What are the typical dosages of Ozempic?
The typical dosages of Ozempic depend on the condition you’re using the drug to treat.
When using Ozempic, try to give yourself your dose on the same day each week. This helps make sure you’ve got a consistent amount of the drug in your body.
Dosage for regulating blood sugar or reducing risk of heart-related problems
Your doctor will start by prescribing a low dosage, also called a starting dosage. The low dosage allows the doctor to see how you respond to the drug. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
When you begin using Ozempic, your doctor will adjust the weekly dose every 4 weeks. This is done until you reach a dosage that is effective at managing your blood sugar levels. The maximum dose for Ozempic is 2 mg once per week.
The following dosing chart shows how your doctor may adjust your dosage of Ozempic.
| Dosage strength | Starting dose | Maintenance dose | Dosing schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg/3 mL, used for starting and maintenance dosages | 0.25 mg, given for 4 weeks | 0.5 mg, given after 4 weeks of the starting dose | once per week, any time of day |
| 4 mg/3 mL, used for maintenance dosages | 1 mg, given after 4 weeks of the 0.5-mg dose if blood sugar levels are still unmanaged | once per week, any time of day | |
| 8 mg/3 mL, used for maintenance dosages | 2 mg, given after 4 weeks of the 0.5-mg dose if blood sugar levels are still unmanaged | once per week, any time of day |
The 2-mg dose is the highest dose your doctor will prescribe.
Dosage for reducing the risk of worsening kidney disease and death from cardiovascular disease
Your doctor will start by prescribing a low dosage, also called a starting dosage. The low dosage allows the doctor to see how you respond to the drug.
When you begin using Ozempic, your doctor will adjust the weekly dose every 4 weeks until you reach the recommended maintenance dosage, which is 1 mg once per week.
The following dosing chart shows how your doctor will adjust your dosage of Ozempic.
| Dosage strength | Starting dose | Intermediate or maintenance dose | Dosing schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg/3 mL, used for starting and intermediate dosages | 0.25 mg, given for 4 weeks | 0.5 mg, given after 4 weeks of the starting dose | once per week, any time of day |
| 4 mg/3 mL, used for maintenance dosages | 1 mg, given after 4 weeks of the 0.5-mg dose | once per week, any time of day |
Is Ozempic used long term?
Yes, Ozempic is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ozempic is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.
Your doctor can provide more information about Ozempic as part of your complete diabetes treatment plan.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your Ozempic dosage if:
- You take certain medications, supplements, or herbs that may affect how well Ozempic works. Before starting Ozempic treatment, tell your doctor about any medications you take. Your doctor will check whether they interact with Ozempic.
- You notice changes in your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels while using Ozempic and adjust the dosage if needed. Be sure to check your blood sugar levels regularly, and let your doctor know of any changes.
- You have upcoming procedures or surgeries. Make sure your doctor knows you’re using Ozempic. They can help prepare for your procedure and determine whether you need to adjust your dosage.
The following are answers to a few commonly asked questions about Ozempic.
What is Ozempic DualDose?
Ozempic may be marketed under other names, such as Ozempic DualDose, outside of the United States. In the United States, Ozempic isn’t officially available as Ozempic DualDose.
However, one option for Ozempic pens available in the United States does contain two different dosages. This pen delivers 0.25 or 0.5 mg per dose.
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information on Ozempic products available in the United States.
Can Ozempic be used for weight loss? If so, what’s the dosing for this use?
Ozempic is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. But it may be used off-label for this purpose. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you’re using Ozempic with a balanced diet and exercise as part of your diabetes management plan, you might lose weight.
Losing weight too quickly may cause a drop in your blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous. It’s important to keep checking your blood sugar levels regularly. If your levels become too low with your current dose of Ozempic, contact your doctor right away.
If you have questions about weight loss during Ozempic treatment, talk with your doctor.
I have kidney disease. Will I need to have my dosage of Ozempic adjusted?
If you have kidney problems, your doctor will check your kidney function before recommending an Ozempic dose for you.
Studies suggest Ozempic doesn’t require changes in dose based on kidney function for people with kidney disease. But there have been reports of acute (sudden) kidney injury during starting or intermediate doses of Ozempic after the drug became available. You may have a higher risk of acute kidney injury if you already have kidney disease, which may then require a dose adjustment.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and death from cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The recommended maintenance dose for this use is 1 mg. For more information, see the “What are the typical dosages of Ozempic?” section.
Kidney problems may make certain side effects of Ozempic worse. These include:
- dehydration
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
If you have kidney problems and you experience serious side effects from Ozempic, contact your doctor right away.
Do not use more Ozempic than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects from hypoglycemia (a severe drop in blood sugar levels).
Ozempic is a long-acting drug. It stays in your body longer and requires monitoring and treatment for low blood sugar for longer times.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- dizziness
- headache
- shaking
- mood changes
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
What to do in case you use too much Ozempic
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Ozempic. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you miss an Ozempic dose and fewer than 5 days have passed since your last dose, take the missed dose. But if more than 5 days have gone by from your last dose, skip the missed dose.
Do not take two doses at once. You could have hypoglycemia (a severe drop in blood sugar levels) that lasts a long time. This is because Ozempic is a long-acting drug that stays in your body for a week.
It’s important to check your blood sugar levels regularly to maintain safe levels.
To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
The dosage of Ozempic you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the condition you’re receiving the drug for
- how severe your condition is
- other health conditions you may have
- other medications you take, as well as herbs, supplements, and foods (for example, bitter melon or cinnamon)
- blood sugar changes (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Ozempic’s dosage?”)
Ozempic comes as prefilled disposable injection pens. Your doctor will show you how to inject Ozempic under the skin of your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. After this, you’ll give yourself doses of the medication at home. Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to use Ozempic pens.
Here are a few tips for helping make sure your Ozempic injection is safe and goes smoothly:
- Read the instructions on how to give yourself the dose.
- Collect your supplies (pen, needle, alcohol swab, gauze, needle disposal container).
- Wash your hands before your injection.
- Check that you’ve clicked the correct dose on the pen, which may be 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg.
- Use a new needle each time.
- Rotate your injection site (change where you inject the drug each time) to avoid pain and risk of infection.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.