Introduction
You’ve finally decided to take semaglutide. With luck, you may already have a prescription from your healthcare provider.
Whether for obesity or type 2 diabetes, semaglutide can help you reach your health goals. It’s been helping thousands of people control their blood sugar levels and lose weight at the same time.
You’ve probably heard of the massively popular Ozempic, known for its weight loss effect. It has two sister brands, Wegovy and Rybelsus, which share the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
You’re probably wondering how to use semaglutide. If it’s your first time to take the drug, you’ve come to the right place. This article explains how to use semaglutide, covering dosages, frequency, duration, and precautions.
Understanding semaglutide
Before we delve into how to use semaglutide, we must know what it is exactly and how it works.
In our tummies is a hormone called GLP-1. Whenever we finish eating and blood sugar levels are high, GLP-1 triggers the release of insulin, which lowers blood glucose.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or GLP-1 Ra for short. It’s basically like a doppelganger of GLP-1. Whenever our blood sugar levels are high, semaglutide also prompts the same reaction from the pancreas. An additional effect of semaglutide is that it also slows down digestion, causing you to feel fuller for longer. The result? A weaker appetite, less food intake, and pounds shaved off.
Safety and efficacy
As effective semaglutide may be in regulating blood sugar levels and weight loss, it has potential risks and side effects. The good news, though, is that its common side effects are generally mild and manageable. Here’s an overview.
Gastrointestinal reactions account for 10% or more of semaglutide’s side effects. These include:
- nausea (up to 44% of cases),
- diarrhea (up to 30%),
- vomiting (up to 24%),
- constipation (up to 24%),
- abdominal pain (up to 20%),
Other common side effects of semaglutide which occur in 1 to 10% of cases include indigestion, belching, gassiness, gastroenteritis, or gastritis. Gastroenteritis is short-term infection and inflammation of the digestive system, while gastritis inflammation of the stomach lining.
Serious side effects of semaglutide include allergic reactions, hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, kidney problems, and thyroid C-cell tumors. Note, however, that these are rare.
Using semaglutide
We’ve mentioned earlier that apart from Ozempic, there are two other semaglutide brands: Wegovy and Rybelsus.
Both Ozempic and Rybelsus have FDA approval to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy has FDA approval to treat obesity. Although drugmaker Novo Nordisk markets them for different purposes, they share the same active ingredient, semaglutide. It’s this very reason why many healthcare providers choose to prescribe Ozempic and Rybelsus off-label for weight loss.
Subcutaneous and oral semaglutide
Apart from their different uses, these three brands also differ in format. Ozempic and Wegovy, for instance, come in injectable dosing pens, while Rybelsus comes in tablet format.
You administer Ozempic and Wegovy subcutaneously (injecting under the skin), while you take Rybelsus orally.
Dosages
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are once-weekly injectable medicines. Ozempic comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses. Meanwhile, Wegovy comes in five various dose strengths, from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. The different doses come in pens of different colors.
According to Rybelsus’ medication guide, patients have a starting dose of 3 mg once daily for the first 30 days. This is to give the body a chance to adjust. Note that during this period, it won’t be effective for glycemic control yet.
After finishing all 3 mg tablets, they can expect their doctor to prescribe Rybelsus’ 7 mg tablets. This dosage—which they also administer once daily—already offers a reduction in glycemic levels. Should they need to lower their blood sugar levels more, their dosage may increase to 14 mg once daily.
Administering Ozempic and Wegovy
If you’re new to using Ozempic or Wegovy, you may be nervous about having to inject yourself with the medication. But as long as you follow the instructions of Novo Nordisk, you should be fine.
Your healthcare provider should be able to demonstrate how to properly administer the medicine. Moreover, they can address any questions or clarifications you may have as well.
Before administering, check that the product (visible in the pen through a window part) is clear, colorless, and not cloudy. Air bubbles are completely normal and are not a cause of concern.
You can inject both Ozempic and Wegovy subcutaneously in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. For the abdomen, inject it two inches from the bellybutton, and for the thigh, choose the front of the thigh. For the upper arm, on the other hand, target the area between the shoulder and the elbow.
Make sure that you are not injecting into a muscle or vein. It is best to use a different injection site with every injection. However, if you want to use the same injection site, pick a different spot in that area.
You can take semaglutide injections with or without meals at any time of the day. For desired results, it is best to take semaglutide along with a healthy diet and exercise.
Administering Rybelsus
Patients must take Rybelsus properly each time. Here are the step-by-step instructions on administering it.
- Take Rybelsus on an empty stomach when you first wake up. This means no food, no drink, no oral medications, no vitamins, and no supplements.
- Next, you should drink Rybelsus with no more than a sip of plain water, no more than four ounces. You should swallow the tablet whole and do not cut, crush, or chew it.
- After taking Rybelsus, you can eat, drink, or take other oral medications, vitamins, or supplements after 30 minutes.
Should you miss a dose, take the next dose the following day. Let your healthcare provider know if even with Rybelsus intake, your blood sugar levels are too high or too low.
To maintain Rybelsus’ efficacy, do not transfer tablets to pill organizers and keep them in their original bottles. Shut the blue cap tight each time.
Not a magic bullet
It’s important to remember that semaglutide, just like any other drug, can only work at its best if the patient also adopts a healthier lifestyle: eating a more nutritious diet and having plenty of physical activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I inject semaglutide in the morning or at night?
As mentioned, semaglutide can be administered at any time of the day. Use it on the same day of each week, at any time.
At what angle should you inject semaglutide?
Hold the Ozempic or Wegovy dosing pen’s syringe at a 90-degree angle to the skin before injecting the drug. Hold the pen for a few seconds before removing the needle.
What should you do if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Ozempic, don’t worry. Just take the missed dose immediately within five days after the day of the missed dose. If it’s been over five days already, skip the missed dose and proceed with the next scheduled dose.
Meanwhile, if you miss a Wegpvy dose and the next dose is over two days away, take the missed dose ASAP.
If the next dose is less than two days away, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose. On the other hand, if you miss a dose for more than two weeks, use it on the next scheduled day of the dose. You may also want to consult your doctor about restarting the treatment.For missed Rybelsus doses, just take the next dose the following day.
It’s important you adhere to the prescribed schedule as this ensures a consistent level of medication is in your bloodstream.
Can you inject semaglutide wrong? What if you inject the semaglutide into a muscle or vein?
There are serious consequences if you inject Ozempic or Wegovy into a muscle or intravenously. You would be putting yourself at risk for allergic reactions, erratic blood sugar levels, infection, or even organ damage. The damaged organs would be the liver or kidneys. Make sure to rotate the injection sites. If you want to inject in the same area, space out the shots so they’re not close to each other.
How should you store semaglutide?
New unused Ozempic and Wegovy pens must be stored in a refrigerator 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit or between 2-8 degrees Celsius.
After first use, store your Ozempic pen between 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit or keep it between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you share semaglutide injection pens?
No, you cannot. Ozempic and Wegovy pens must never be shared between patients, even if you change the needle attachment. Doing so runs the risk of spreading blood-borne diseases.
How long before you see an effect?
On average, it takes around four weeks on semaglutide to see some weight loss. However, the full effect can take some more time.
How long should you take semaglutide?
It may be too early to tell how long you can keep taking semaglutide as data is still limited. Still, some experts think it is best kept as a long-term medication if a patient is responsive to it.
Currently, there are no restrictions as to the duration of treatment with semaglutide such as Ozempic.
What happens if you stop taking semaglutide?
Patients may feel their old appetites coming back to the same level before they took semaglutide. In some cases, their appetites may even be larger than before, leading to weight gain.
Some patients’ blood sugar levels can also spike, leading to blurred vision, fatigue, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.
Conclusion
Semaglutide is a great tool for people suffering from type 2 diabetes and obesity. It lowers blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss at the same time.
To make sure semaglutide is working effectively, it’s important to observe its proper dosage, administration, and storage. Semaglutide brands Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus require different ways of administering because of their unique formats.
While semaglutide is known for its efficacy, it shouldn’t be treated as a magic pill causing people to lose weight. It is designed to work alongside a balanced diet and ample exercise.
As with any medication, semaglutide comes with a host of potential risks and side effects. The common ones are mild and manageable, though, while the more serious ones are rare. Make sure to inform your healthcare provider should you experience any unpleasant symptoms or discomfort while taking semaglutide.
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