Talking to your patients about Ozempic®

Pharmacists, patients may have questions when they pick up their prescription of Ozempic®. Here are some topics you may want to discuss with them.

See how to dispense Ozempic®

Adult patient with type 2 diabetes asking her pharmacist about her Ozempic® prescription

What is Ozempic®?

  • Ozempic® is a once-weekly human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
  • Ozempic® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established CV disease

 

See Section 17: Patient Counseling Information in the Prescribing Information

Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection pens
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Limitations of Use
  • Ozempic® has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Consider other antidiabetic therapies in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
  • Ozempic® is not a substitute for insulin. Ozempic® is not indicated for use in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Once-weekly dosing designed with patients in mind1

Gradual dose escalation designed to help patients adjust to therapya

Ozempic® starting dose
Ozempic® starting dose escalation

aThe starting dose of 0.25 mg is a nontherapeutic dose intended to help patients adjust to treatment.

  • Administer Ozempic® once weekly on the same day each week, at any time of the day, with or without meals
  • The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary as long as the time between 2 doses is at least 2 days (>48 hours)
  • If a dose is missed, administer Ozempic® as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day. In each case, patients can then resume their regular once-weekly dosing schedule
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Ozempic® savings card icon

Savings are available for eligible patients

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Ozempic® is available in multiuse pens with needles included1

The injection is supplied as a clear, colorless solution that contains 2 mg of semaglutide in a 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL) prefilled, disposable, single-patient-use pen injector in the following packaging configurations:

Red-label pen only delivers the starting dose of 0.25 mg and a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg

Ozempic® 0.25mg & 0.5mg

Blue-label pen only delivers the maximum maintenance dose of 1 mg

Ozempic® 1mg
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Each multiuse pen contains 2 mg of Ozempic®

Order today

  • Ozempic® demo pen

    Demonstration Pen (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg): For demonstration and training only. Not for patients or injection into humans. Does not contain medicine. Only to be used by a health care professional. Needles are not included.

    Add to Order

How to store the Ozempic® Pen1

Prior to first use

Until expiration date

Refrigerated
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)

Refrigerated storage

Refrigerated
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)

Refrigerated
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)

After first use

56 days

Room Temperature
59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)

Room temperature storage

Room Temperature
59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)

Refrigerated
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)

Refrigerated storage

Refrigerated
36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)

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How to dispense Ozempic®

Ozempic® 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)

Carton of 1 pen

NDC: 0169-4132-12

Days supply:
• Sample/initial (42 days)
• 1-month supply (28 days)

Intent of prescription:
• Sample or initial prescription for new starts
• 1-month prescription for maintenance on 0.5 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig:
• Sample or initial Rx: 0.25 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg SC once weekly for 2 weeks
• Maintenance Rx: 0.5 mg SC once weekly

Dispense quantity: 1.5 mL

Needles: 6 included

Number of boxes: 1 box

Ozempic® 1 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)

Carton of 2 pens

NDC: 0169-4136-02

Days supply:
1-month supply (28 days)
 

Intent of prescription:
1-month prescription for maintenance on 1 mg
 

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig:
Maintenance Rx: 1 mg SC once weekly

 

Dispense quantity: 3 mL

Needles: 4 included

Number of boxes: 1 box

Ozempic® 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)

Carton of 1 pen

NDC: 0169-4132-12

Days supply:
3-month supply (84 days)

Intent of prescription:
3-month prescription for maintenance on 0.5 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig: Maintenance Rx: Inject 0.5 mg SC once weekly for 12 weeks

Dispense quantity: 4.5 mL

Needles: 18 included

Number of boxes: 3 boxes

Ozempic® 1 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)

Carton of 2 pens

NDC: 0169-4136-02

Days supply:
3-month supply (84 days)

Intent of prescription:
3-month prescription for maintenance on 1 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig: Maintenance Rx: Inject 1 mg SC once weekly for 12 weeks

Dispense quantity: 9 mL

Needles: 12 included

Number of boxes: 3 boxes

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1-month supply (28 days)

Ozempic® 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)
Carton of 1 pen

NDC: 0169-4132-12

Days supply:
• Sample/initial (42 days)
• 1-month supply (28 days)

Intent of prescription:
• Sample or initial prescription for new starts
• 1-month prescription for maintenance on 0.5 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig:
• Sample or initial Rx: 0.25 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg SC once weekly for 2 weeks
• Maintenance Rx: 0.5 mg SC once weekly

Dispense quantity: 1.5 mL

Needles: 6 included

Number of boxes: 1 box

3-month supply (84 days)

Ozempic® 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)
Carton of 1 pen

NDC: 0169-4132-12

Days supply:
3-month supply (84 days)

Intent of prescription:
3-month prescription for maintenance on 0.5 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig: Maintenance Rx: Inject 0.5 mg SC once weekly for 12 weeks

Dispense quantity: 4.5 mL

Needles: 18 included

Number of boxes: 3 boxes

1-month supply (28 days)

Ozempic® 1 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)
Carton of 2 pens

NDC: 0169-4136-02

Days supply:
1-month supply (28 days)

Intent of prescription:
1-month prescription for maintenance on 1 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig:
Maintenance Rx: 1 mg SC once weekly

Dispense quantity: 3 mL

Needles: 4 included

Number of boxes: 1 box

3-month supply (84 days)

Ozempic® 1 mg dose
(2 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneous pen injector)
Carton of 2 pens

NDC: 0169-4136-02

Days supply:
3-month supply (84 days)

Intent of prescription:
3-month prescription for maintenance on 1 mg

Strength: 2 mg per 1.5 mL (1.34 mg/mL)

Dosage form: Solution

Sig: Maintenance Rx: Inject 1 mg SC once weekly for 12 weeks

Dispense quantity: 9 mL

Needles: 12 included

Number of boxes: 3 boxes

Help patients realize the potential with Ozempic®

Help patients realize the potential with Ozempic®

Check your patients' coverage and co-pay for Ozempic®

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Free and personalized patient support is available

Free, personalized patient support is available

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Selected Important Safety Information

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

  • In rodents, semaglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether Ozempic® causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.
  • Ozempic® is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC and in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of Ozempic® and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (eg, a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with Ozempic®.

Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg Indication and Limitations of Use

Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established CV disease.

  • Ozempic® has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Consider other antidiabetic therapies in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
  • Ozempic® is not a substitute for insulin. Ozempic® is not indicated for use in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

  • In rodents, semaglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether Ozempic® causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.
  • Ozempic® is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC and in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of Ozempic® and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (eg, a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with Ozempic®.

Contraindications

  • Ozempic® is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2, and in patients with known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or to any of the product components.

Warnings and Precautions

  • Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors: Patients should be referred to an endocrinologist for further evaluation if serum calcitonin is measured and found to be elevated or thyroid nodules are noted on physical examination or neck imaging.
  • Pancreatitis: Acute and chronic pancreatitis have been reported in clinical studies. Observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis (persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back with or without vomiting). If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue Ozempic® promptly, and if pancreatitis is confirmed, do not restart.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Complications: In a 2-year trial involving patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, more events of diabetic retinopathy complications occurred in patients treated with Ozempic® (3.0%) compared with placebo (1.8%). The absolute risk increase for diabetic retinopathy complications was larger among patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy at baseline than among patients without a known history of diabetic retinopathy.
    Rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy. The effect of long-term glycemic control with semaglutide on diabetic retinopathy complications has not been studied. Patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be monitored for progression of diabetic retinopathy.
  • Never Share an Ozempic® Pen Between Patients: Ozempic® pens must never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Pen-sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
  • Hypoglycemia: The risk of hypoglycemia is increased when Ozempic® is used in combination with insulin secretagogues (eg, sulfonylureas) or insulin.
  • Acute Kidney Injury: There have been postmarketing reports of acute kidney injury and worsening of chronic renal failure, which may sometimes require hemodialysis, in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Some of these events have been reported in patients without known underlying renal disease. A majority of the reported events occurred in patients who had experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration. Monitor renal function when initiating or escalating doses of Ozempic® in patients reporting severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions.
  • Hypersensitivity: Serious hypersensitivity reactions (eg, anaphylaxis, angioedema) have been reported with GLP-1 receptor agonists. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue use of Ozempic®; treat promptly per standard of care, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. Use caution in a patient with a history of angioedema or anaphylaxis with another GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Adverse Reactions

  • The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Ozempic® are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.

Drug Interactions

  • The risk of hypoglycemia may be lowered by a reduction in the dose of the secretagogue or insulin.
  • Ozempic® causes a delay of gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications, so caution should be exercised.

Use in Specific Populations

  • There are limited data with semaglutide use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for adverse developmental outcomes. Discontinue Ozempic® in women at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the long washout period for semaglutide.

Please click here for Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

 

Reference:

  1. Ozempic [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; January 2020.

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