Ozempic dosage guide: How much to use and how often?

It can be intimidating to self-administer medication via injections, but once you get the hang of the practice, it is incredibly straightforward.

While the concept of injecting prescription medication might feel strange, it's a typical way to deliver certain treatments to ensure the best results. And, if you're familiar with Ozempic as a treatment for weight loss, you might know that this is also an injectable medication.

But, how does the Ozempic dosage work? And what happens if you make a mistake and have a missed dose? Luckily, we've put together this helpful guide to answer all your Ozempic dosage questions.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a simple and easy-to-use injection pen with the active ingredient semaglutide.

While Ozempic was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, clinical trials have shown Ozempic to be an effective treatment for weight loss [1].

That's why Ozempic injections are included with Juniper, because we know it's a medically effective way to lose weight.

How does Ozempic help with weight loss?

Ozempic can help with weight loss by resetting the body's metabolic patterns. It does this in 3 ways:

• It slows the rate your stomach empties: Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which is produced in your gut after eating and helps you feel satiated. This helps you feel fuller for longer, which can help cut down on your total caloric intake.
• It suppresses your appetite and lowers cravings: Semaglutide reduces blood glucose and targets the 'reward centre' of your brain, which in turn, helps to limit cravings between meals. It also helps better control blood sugar levels.
• It lowers your 'set point': Your body is thought to have a specific baseline based on your DNA. Semaglutide targets your brain's receptors that control your appetite, which in turn works to lower your body's set point and lose weight.

What is the starting dose to use for weight loss?

In Canada, Ozempic dosage varies from 0.5 mg to 1 mg and a maximum dose of 2 mg. To determine if Ozempic is right for you, you will need to meet some eligibility criteria.

Ozempic as a weight loss injection is generally suitable for those with a body mass index of more than 30, or a body mass index of 27 plus a weight-related health complication like high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

If one of Juniper's licensed healthcare practitioners determines you're eligible for Ozempic, you will be prescribed a 0.5 mg starting dose. Starting with a low-level dose gives your body a chance to adjust to the medication and reduces the risks of side effects. You will stay on that dose until you are stable for 8 weeks, before having a dose adjustment up to 1 mg.

After 4 weeks on the 1 mg dose, you can be prescribed the 2 mg dose. Many people only require a 0.5 mg maintenance dose. You can chat with your clinician to see what will be best for you.

It's important to know that the price does not change regardless of your dose adjustment.

What does the Ozempic dosage schedule look like?

Ozempic works on a weekly dosing schedule, to be taken on the same day. Most practitioners generally recommend being on a weekly dosing schedule for at least 12 months, but this is something your practitioner will advise you on based on your personal circumstances.

Many people see results within the first 8 weeks of being on Ozempic, but it isn't expected when starting on the 0.5 mg once weekly dose. After 12 weeks of the full therapeutic dose (be it 1 mg or 2 mg), you can often lose at least 5% of your starting weight.

When you decide to stop taking Ozempic, it will take around 5 weeks from your last dose to clear from your system. To maintain and sustain your weight loss in the long term, you will need to use the nutrition and lifestyle habits developed through Juniper.

How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?

There are 4 doses in each Ozempic pen. You will use a new needle for each injection.

Once a pen has been opened, it should only be kept and used for 56 days (even if you are keeping it safely refrigerated).

How to use an Ozempic pen

Starting a new medication can feel a little intimidating, especially knowing you have to self-administer your own needle. Don't panic! Your clinician will run you through how to administer your Ozempic dose, and the actual needle in the injection pen is tiny.

Each Ozempic pen is pre-filled with the correct dose for a once-weekly subcutaneous administration. This is just the fatty layer under the skin found in your upper arm, upper thigh or abdomen.

You should rotate your next dose to be in a different spot. Do not use the same injection site, as this could lead to skin inflammation or even an infection.

How should an Ozempic pen be stored?

The Ozempic pen requires refrigeration. Store your Ozempic doses in the refrigerator between 2°C-8°C until their expiration date.

What if I have a missed dose on my regularly scheduled day?

It's best to put in place a weekly dosing schedule for Ozempic, but life happens, and sometimes you'll need to switch the date of your next dose. Try to take each dose on the same day when possible.

If you have a missed dose of Ozempic, try to take it as soon as you remember, provided it has been less than 5 days since your missed dose. If it has been more than 5 days since you were supposed to take your Ozempic dosage, simply skip the missed dose.

The catch-up day of your next dose will then become the new day of your weekly dosing schedule. Let's say you miss your usual Friday weekly administration, and your next dose is injected on Tuesday. This makes your new injection day Tuesday, and your next dose will be 7 days later on the next Tuesday.

How does Ozempic fit into a healthy lifestyle?

Ozempic is just one piece of the well-being puzzle to form healthy lifelong habits you can sustain. We include medications for weight loss with Juniper, but it's only part of our service.

We know that weight loss is easier when you have the right support, that's why Juniper includes: full clinical support for dose adjustments and side-effect management, 24/7 access to an AI health companion, weight tracking & injection reminders and recipes, workouts, and lifestyle tips. Everything you need to lose the weight and keep it off for good.

Image credit: Team Juniper