Ozempic

Generic name: Semaglutide injection

Drug class: Incretin mimetics

Dosage forms: Subcutaneous injection

Root of administration: Subcutaneous

Dose: 0.25mg dose pen; 0.5mg dose pen; 1.0mg dose pen; 2.0 mg dose pen

Mechanism of action: Ozempic (semaglutide) is used for type 2 diabetes in adults to improve blood sugar levels and also used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack or death, for adults with type 2 diabetes with heart disease.

Drug usage cases: Ozempic works to lower blood sugar, helping the pancreas make more insulin, decreasing the amount of sugar your liver makes, and slowing the rate food passes through your body, making you feel full longer. Ozempic is from a class of medicines called a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (incretin mimetics) that works by binding to GLP-1 receptors which results in lower blood sugar levels and A1C levels and may also reduce your appetite to help weight loss. Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that should be used along with diet and exercise. Ozempic should not be used for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Drug contra indications: You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to semaglutide or any other ingredients in this medicine, or if you have:

multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands); or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer). To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a stomach or intestinal disorder; pancreatitis; kidney disease; or eye problems caused by diabetes (retinopathy). This medicine caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer in animal studies. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Side effects: Common Ozempic side effects:

low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes); upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating; nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite; diarrhea, constipation; runny nose or sore throat; stomach flu symptoms; or headache, dizziness, tiredness. Serious Ozempic side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; dizziness, fast heartbeats; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have:

vision changes; unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself; pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; signs of a thyroid tumor–swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath; symptoms of pancreatitis–severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate; gallbladder problems–upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); low blood sugar–headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; kidney problems–swelling, urinating less, blood in urine, feeling tired or short of breath, stomach flu symptoms–stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody),symptoms of ileus (stomach paralysis)–bloating, stomach cramps or pain, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite.

Warnings: Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. You should not use this medicine if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. Postmarketing data has shown an association between Ozempic use and ileus (stomach paralysis). Because these reports are voluntary it is not possible to estimate the frequency of these effects. Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps or pain, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Ozempic will harm your unborn baby. Stop using this medicine at least 2 months before you plan to get pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to control your blood sugar if you plan to become pregnant or while you are pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Tell you health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Ozempic passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while usingthis medicine.