Everything You Need to Know About Using the Ozempic Pen

If you’ve scrolled through news headlines and social media at any point in the last few years, you’ve almost certainly come across Ozempic – the buzzy weight loss injection that’s gained immense popularity among celebrities, influencers and everyday users alike. This injectable prescription medicine comes in pen form and is administered just under the skin once weekly.

Thinking of trying it, already using it and keen to understand it better, or simply curious about how the pen works? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Ozempic and why is it prescribed?

Despite its popularity as a weight loss aid, Ozempic is actually a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It contains an active ingredient known as semaglutide, which helps manage many of the symptoms of diabetes. 

Semaglutide works by helping your pancreas produce more insulin, increasing certain hormone levels when you eat to promote fullness, slowing digestion so blood sugar levels don’t spike as quickly, and regulating glucose (sugar) production.

Because of its ability to suppress appetite, Ozempic is also used off-label to support weight loss. While it’s not officially approved as a weight loss medication, many doctors are now prescribing it to patients. It's also being used to

Ozempic comes in pen form and is administered once weekly as an injection that goes just below the skin. We’ll dive into how Ozempic pens work a little further down.

How Ozempic works in the body

When you eat food, your body produces a hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which signals to your brain that you’re full.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is what’s known as a GLP-1 agonist, meaning it can mimic this hormone – increasing feelings of fullness, slowing down your digestion and reducing your appetite. This leads to lower calorie intake and eventual weight loss.

Ozempic is also able to act on the part of the brain that craves certain foods. Many people find that they have reduced cravings (or no cravings at all) for foods high in salt, sugar and/or fat – allowing them to make healthier choices.

It’s worth mentioning that Ozempic isn’t an isolated treatment that results in instant weight loss. It has to be used alongside a balanced diet and exercise to be effective.

Is Ozempic available in Canada?

It sure is! Health Canada approved Ozempic in 2018 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. More recently, it's been approved as a treatment for chronic kidney disease. Ozempic has been found to prevent kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease, and can also reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attack, and death from cardiovascular disease [1].

Ozempic is a prescription-only medicine, which you’ll need to obtain from your doctor. To qualify for a prescription, you must have type 2 diabetes. However, it can be prescribed off-label for weight management. 

If you don’t have type 2 diabetes but you’re looking for a weight loss injection, Wegovy is also a suitable alternative. It relies on the same active ingredient but is specifically prescribed for weight loss. 

Because of its ability to treat diabetes, Ozempic is also covered by most provincial health plans in Canada, meaning patients can access it at a lower price. Some private insurance plans cover it, too.

Find out more about where to buy Ozempic in Canada.

Meet the Ozempic pen

As you now know, Ozempic comes in pen form. The pen has a small needle attached and is injected once a week just under your skin, either in your stomach, thigh or upper arm. It’s important to inject the pen on the same day each week to support consistent absorption. Health experts generally recommend rotating the injection site each week to minimize the risk of irritation and discomfort. 

When you start using Ozempic, you’ll begin on the lowest dose of 0.25 mg weekly. You’ll continue this for four weeks before increasing your dose to 0.5 mg weekly. This gradual increase helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the risk of side effects. 

After four weeks on 0.5 mg, your doctor may then decide to bump up your dosage to 1 mg and then 2 mg. This depends on how your body tolerates Ozempic and whether the dose you’re on is helping you achieve your goals.

Eventually, you’ll settle on a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg, which some people stick to long term. Everyone responds to the medication differently, so there’s no one-size-fits-all dosage schedule.

How many doses are in one Ozempic pen?

Ozempic comes as a single pen containing four doses. 

Pen 1 – 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg

The first pen holds 2 mg of semaglutide, which provides four weekly doses of 0.25 mg and two weekly doses of 0.5 mg, or four weekly doses of 0.5 mg. You’ll also receive six separate needles so you can attach a new one each time you use the pen.

Pen 2 – 1 mg

The next pen includes 4 mg of semaglutide. This is divided into four weekly doses of 1 mg and comes with four needles.

Pen 3 – 2 mg

The pen after that has 8 mg of semaglutide, which delivers four weekly doses of 2 mg. It also comes with four needles.

Understanding your pen's capacity

Ozempic pens are clearly labelled with their dosage, and are even colour-coded to make things super easy. The first pen (which holds 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses) has a red label, the second (which dispenses 1 mg doses) has a green label, and the third (which delivers 2 mg doses) has a yellow label. 

How to tell when your pen is empty

Each Ozempic pen has a handy dose counter, which lets you see how much medication is remaining inside the pen. You’ll find the counter on the front of the pen next to the label. 

Even if you can see some of the liquid inside the pen, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got enough left for a full dose. If you’re unable to dial up to your next dose, it means the pen doesn’t have enough medication for a full dose. In this instance, you shouldn’t use it and instead get a new pen. This reduces the chance of underdosing.

How to use an Ozempic pen step-by-step

Your Ozempic pens will come with a set of instructions clearly detailing how to use them. Don’t stress too much about remembering everything – if it’s your first time using the pen, your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to administer it.

In the meantime, though, here’s a basic rundown of how to use an Ozempic pen:

1. Get prepped: Choose your injection site, wash and dry your hands, and remove the pen from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you want to inject. While you can use the pen straight from the refrigerator, many users find it more comfortable when it’s at room temperature.
2. Look over the pen: First, make sure you’ve got the right dose. Next, remove the cap from the pen to check the liquid inside it. It should be clear and colourless; if it’s cloudy or contains particles, it may not be safe to use, and you should get a new pen.
3. Attach the needle: Select a new needle tip from the box and remove the paper tab. Push the needle into the pen and turn it until it’s tightly in place. Next, remove both caps from the needle. Always make sure you use a new needle with each dose to prevent contamination.
4. Pick your dose: The dose selector is a dial at the base of the pen. Turn it until the right dose (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg) appears in the dose counter window.
5. Administer the injection: Insert the needle into your skin, then press and hold the dose button found at the base of the pen. When the dose counter shows ‘0’, count to six slowly before removing the needle.
6. Finish up: Remove the needle from the pen and dispose of it in a dedicated sharps bin. If there are more doses in the pen, put the cap back on and place it back in the fridge for next week’s dose. If it’s empty, you’ll need to throw it in the sharps bin with the needle.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you can, within five days of missing it. If it’s been more than five days, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled.

Possible reactions after semaglutide injection

Some irritation can occur around the injection site, such as redness or minor discomfort. But if you have severe pain, a severe rash, a serious allergic reaction or a serious infection, stop using the medication and make an appointment with your doctor.

How to store an Ozempic pen properly

Depending on the condition of your pens, you have different options for storage:

• Before first use: New, unused pens are best stored in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2 °C and 8 °C). You can keep them here until they reach their expiry date, after which they’ll have to be thrown out
• After first use: Once you’ve opened the pen, you can either store it at room temperature between 59ºF and 86ºF (15ºC and 30ºC) or in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C) for up to 56 days. After 56 days, the pen may no longer be effective or safe to use and should be thrown away

You should also:

• Avoid placing the pens near your refrigerator’s cooling element
• Avoid freezing the pens – this can damage the medication, even if it thaws
• Keep the pens away from direct light and heat
• Keep the caps on when you’re not using them
• Ensure they’re out of reach of children

Can you travel with an Ozempic pen?

You sure can – you’ll just need to take a few precautions to make sure the pen stays at an optimal temperature.

• Unopened pens: If you’re travelling with unopened pens, they’ll need to stay as cool as possible. Use an insulated carrier bag or travel case and, if you’re flying, pack it in your hand luggage to keep the temperature stable. Checked baggage runs the risk of exposure to temperature fluctuations. When you reach your destination, put the pens in the fridge as soon as you can.
• Opened pens: Remember, these can be safely stored at room temperature for up to 56 days, so travelling with them is a little easier. That said, you should still try and keep it at a stable temperature to avoid the medication spoiling. A cooler bag can come in handy here.

In either case, avoid exposing the medication to extreme temperatures. If you’re travelling by road, never leave your pen in a hot car – severe heat can degrade it.

How to dispose of an Ozempic pen safely

Needles and empty pens can’t go in your usual garbage bin. This is because they are potential hazards that could injure or infect someone.

Instead, they have to go in a dedicated sharps container. You can buy these at pharmacies around the country or online. If you don’t have one, you can also use a household container that’s made of heavy-duty plastic, has a tight-fitting lid and is properly labelled to indicate that the container holds hazardous waste.

The sharps container or household container then needs to be disposed of properly. Many pharmacies accept sharps disposal containers, but you might also have a household hazardous waste depot or another location that accepts containers near you. Your local municipality may also offer a collection service – reach out to them to check.

More than just medication – Juniper provides comprehensive health care

Ready to start your Ozempic journey? 

At Juniper, we combine weight loss medications with dietitian-led health coaching and tracking, so you can lose weight and reach your goals for good. 

Kickstart your weight loss journey with Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound. These groundbreaking weight loss medications mimic the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, respectively, to help control cravings, delay stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer. 

Plus, we have a team of expert dietitians and health coaches you can consult with to help you work through any challenges you're experiencing during your weight management journey. This approach sets you up for sustained weight loss, rather than a quick-fix solution.

This means you can continue to enjoy the things you love in moderation without ever feeling deprived.

Ready to see if Juniper is right for you? You can check your eligibility here. 

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