Ozempic/Semaglutide/Wegovy in Dallas, Little Elm & Frisco, Tx
Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to manage type 2 diabetes and can also be used for weight management. Ozempic and Wegovy are the brand names of Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
While they both have the same active agent, they can’t be used interchangeably. Ozempic is a medication approved by the FDA only for the management of type 2 diabetes while Wegovy is approved by the FDA as a weight management drug along with its use for type 2 diabetes.
However, Ozempic can be used off-label as a weight management drug. Ozempic is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
In this article, we will cover the typical dosage schedule for Semaglutide, Ozempic, and Wegovy. In some cases, your healthcare provider may provide you with a different dosage schedule, depending on how you respond to the drug. It’s important to follow the instructions of your provider when taking any of these medications.
Continue reading to learn about the dosing schedule of Ozempic/Semaglutide/Wegovy.
Wegovy For Weight Loss Dosing Schedule
Wegovy is suitable for adults who find it difficult to lose weight with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.
If it should be used as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity) or ≥27 kg/m2 (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea.
It is recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg/week to minimize adverse reactions.
If you’re unable to tolerate a dose during an increment, consider delaying the dose increase for four weeks. If you’re unable to tolerate a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly, you may temporarily reduce your dose to 1.7 mg once weekly for a maximum of 4 weeks.
After four weeks, you can increase your dose back to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. If, after a second attempt, you still can’t tolerate it, then you should discontinue the increment in dosing. In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose before and during treatment.
Weekly dosing schedule of Ozempic/Semaglutide/Wegovy
-
Weekly dosing schedule of OzempicSemaglutideWegovy Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg
- Weeks 5-8: 0.5 mg
- Weeks 9-12: 1 mg
- Week 13-16: 1.7 mg
- Week 17 and onward: 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg (maintenance dose)
The dosage needs to be modified in the case of a patient suffering from renal or hepatic diseases. However, there’s no need for dosage adjustment in people with upper gastrointestinal tract diseases.
Also, Wegovy contains semaglutide and should not be administered together with other drugs that contain semaglutide or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist. This is because its safety and effectiveness with these other weight loss medications, including prescription drugs, OTC drugs, and herbal preparations, have not been established.
Dosing Schedule For Semaglutide
The dose of semaglutide is different for various patients. It’s highly recommended to follow your doctor’s recommended dosage or the directions on the label. We will be covering only the typical doses of this drug.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke
Adults
At first, 0.25 milligrams (mg) once a week for four weeks. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose shouldn’t be more than 2 mg once a week.
Children
The use and dose of semaglutide in children must be determined by their healthcare providers.
For weight management
Adults and children 12 years of age and older
At first, 0.25 milligrams (mg) once a week for 4 weeks. Your doctor may increase your dose every 4 weeks but generally, the dose is usually not more than 2.4 mg once a week.
Children younger than 12 years of age
The use and dose of semaglutide in children must be determined by their healthcare providers.
Dosing Schedule For Ozempic
Ozempic comes as a pre-filled pen. You’ll need to inject it once weekly under the skin (in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm). Its dosing isn’t affected by meal times, so you can choose a day and time that’s convenient for you. However, you need to stick with the same day each week.
The starting Ozempic dosage is usually 0.25 mg once weekly. This dose isn’t intended to have any significant effect on blood glucose levels; it’s only meant to help your body start adjusting to digestion-related side effects. After that, your dose is increased every 4 weeks until you attain the target dose.
The dosage schedule for Ozempic and Wegovy
- Month 1: 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
- Month 2: 0.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
- Month 3: 1 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
- Month 4 and beyond 1 mg or 2 mg once weekly
Your typical Ozempic or Wegovy dosage will likely be between 0.5 mg and 2 mg once weekly. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on the right dose that you should have each week. Follow the directions of your healthcare provider.
How to administer Wegovy
Your healthcare provider will teach you how to administer Wegovy by yourself. You will also find step-by-step instructions on how to administer Wegovy on the drug packaging.
Below are the basic steps of administering Wegovy:
Prepare injection site
Wegovy can be given subcutaneously in the front of your thigh, upper arm, or lower abdomen. Do not inject Wegovy in skin areas with scars, stretch marks, bruising, or sores.
Don’t inject it into the same spot every time to avoid irritating your skin. Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water, and pat the skin dry.
Inject Wegovy
After removing the cap, push the Wegovy pen against your skin. Do not remove the pen from your skin until the yellow bar on the pen stop moving.
Once the yellow bar on the pen stops moving, it means the full dose has been delivered, and you can remove the pen from your skin. Always make sure to discard it in a needle-safe collection container.
How to Administer Semaglutide
- Clean the injection site
- Pinch the skin where you will insert the needle to create a firm surface.
- Insert the needle into the skin at 90 degrees.
- Push the syringe slowly and with constant pressure until it reaches the bottom.
- Pull the needle out of the skin gently.
- Lastly, discard the needle.
How to Administer Ozempic
- Check your Ozempic pen to make sure it contains the medicine and ensure that the medicine in the pen is clear and colorless.
- Tear off the paper tab and attach a new needle. Push and turn the needle on until it is tight and secure.
- Turn the dose selector till the dose counter displays the flow check symbol. Also, turn the dose selector until the dose counter displays the dose you need to inject
- Insert the needle into your skin, and once the dose counter reaches 0, remove the needle from your skin after a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss a dose of Semaglutide?
If you miss a dose of Semaglutide, you can take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, your next scheduled dose should be more than two days away. If your next scheduled dose is in less than two days, you should skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosing schedule.
How does Wegovy compare to Ozempic?
Wegovy and Ozempic are similar in that both medications have the same active ingredient which is Semaglutide. They’re both given once weekly. Wegovy and Ozempic also have similar common side effects, like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, or constipation. However, they differ in some ways.
The FDA approves Ozempic for controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is not approved for weight loss management. Wegovy is the only FDA-approved drug for weight loss management that contains semaglutide.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions with these medications?
Yes, there are recommended dosage adjustments for all of these Semaglutide-containing drugs, especially if you have kidney or liver problems. If you have kidney or liver problems, discuss them with your healthcare provider before using these drugs.
Your healthcare provider will closely monitor the reactions of your kidney and liver when you’re taking these drugs. These drugs can also cause digestion-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
These side effects can lead to fluid loss, and losing too much fluid can result in dehydration, which can worsen kidney function. It is crucial to inform your healthcare provider if you have any medical condition. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dosage accordingly so that you don’t experience any adverse side effects or complications.
