Introduction
For the longest time, losing weight was an uphill battle for people who are overweight or obese. These days, semaglutide brands Ozempic and Wegovy are all the rage right now for anyone aiming to shed pounds. Although only Wegovy has FDA approval for treating obesity, doctors often prescribe Ozempic off-label for its weight loss effect.
Because Ozempic and Wegovy come in injectable pens, it helps to know how to inject semaglutide properly to achieve results.
Feeling squeamish or uncomfortable with the thought of injecting yourself? Don’t worry. This article will serve as your primer on the proper administration of semaglutide. With a step-by-step guide, you’ll be more at ease and confident to administer semaglutide in no time.
What is semaglutide?
Before we dive into administering semaglutide, let’s talk about what it is and how it works. What is semaglutide anyway?
GLP-1 receptor agonists
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 Ras. Whenever we finish eating and blood sugar levels are high, a gut-based hormone, GLP-1, triggers the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps reduce glucose in the blood. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide act as GLP-1 doppelgangers, mimicking how GLP-1 prompts the release of insulin.
Another effect of taking semaglutide is that it delays digestion or gastric emptying, making a person feel fuller for longer. As a result, that person doesn’t feel like eating as much and ends up losing weight.
Type 2 diabetes: a serious threat
Around the world, diabetes is a growing health concern. According to the World Health Organization, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, with many in low to middle-income countries. Diabetes has also directly caused 1.5 million deaths every year. Moreover, the numbers are only going up over the past few decades.
The IDF (International Diabetes Federation) Diabetes Atlas estimates that type 2 diabetes affects 10.5% of the world’s adult population. Sadly, almost half of these people have no clue that they’re actually diabetic. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of diabetics.
By 2045, the IDF predicts approximately 783 million, or one in eight adults will be living with diabetes, up by 46%.
Benefits of injectable medicines
People often prefer injecting drugs because it ensures fast and effective drug delivery.
There are many drug injection methods, such as intramuscular, intravenous, intrathecal (around the spinal cord), and subcutaneous (under the skin). When you administer these subcutaneously, you inject the drug into the fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin.
For semaglutide, in particular, the subcutaneous injection method works best. Because subcutaneous tissue has just a few blood vessels, the body absorbs the drug very slowly. This makes the method perfect for vaccines, growth hormones, and insulin, as these require delivery at low doses.
Introduction to subcutaneous semaglutide
As we’ve mentioned, popular brands Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient: semaglutide. Apart from the two, a third brand is also made with semaglutide: Rybelsus. Both Ozempic and Rybelsus have FDA approval to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy has FDA approval to treat obesity.
In terms of formats, Ozempic and Wegovy come in injectable pens and you administer these subcutaneously. Meanwhile, Rybelsus comes in tablet form and you take it orally. As we’ve noted earlier, doctors often prescribe Ozempic and Wegovy off-label for weight management.
Safety and efficacy of subcutaneous semaglutide
It’s important to note that subcutaneous semaglutide’s overall safety makes it accessible to patients from all walks of life. Because of its efficacy, those seeking to achieve a healthier weight also benefit from it.
A 2023 study examined subcutaneous semaglutide’s safety and efficacy if with varying dosages or with and without lifestyle interventions. Participants in the group without lifestyle interventions had a higher incidence of hypoglycemia than the group with lifestyle interventions. Semaglutide injections also had notable benefits on weight loss as well as on heart health.
Dosages
For the sake of this article, we will only discuss the dosages of subcutaneous semaglutide brands Ozempic and Wegovy.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable medication that comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses. Wegovy, on the other hand, also comes in an injectable pen format, but in five various dose strengths. The different doses come in different colored pens.
All semaglutide brands are available for purchase only with a prescription. Your doctor will start you off on small doses, gradually increasing this until you reach a maintenance dose. To achieve best results, incorporate a healthy diet and ample physical activity in your treatment plan.
How to inject semaglutide
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 provided by Novo Nordisk, the drug manufacturer, 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.
Prepping the semaglutide pen
Before administering, check that the product (visible in the pen through a window) is clear and colorless and not cloudy. Air bubbles are completely normal and are not a cause of concern.
Administering the product
Both Ozempic and Wegovy can be injected subcutaneously in three different areas: the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. For the abdomen, target two inches from the belly button. For the thigh, choose the front and avoid the inner thigh. Meanwhile, for the upper arm, go for the area between the shoulder and the elbow. To make the injection mark less visible, they can administer semaglutide in the back of the upper arm.
Here are the reasons why these are optimal injection sites:
- The stomach provides a large surface area and is easy to access for the patient. Its layer of subcutaneous fat also makes the drug easier to absorb.
- The thigh is also preferred because it has an ample layer of subcutaneous fat.
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, semaglutide manufacturer Novo Nordisk notes that semaglutide is best taken along with a balanced diet and exercise.
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 of semaglutide?
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 has been over five days, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on as originally scheduled.
For missed doses of Wegovy, if the next dose is over two days away, take the missed dose ASAP.
If the next dose is scheduled less than two days away, skip the missed dose. Next, take the next dose of Wegovy as scheduled.
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.
Can you inject semaglutide wrong? What if you inject the semaglutide in 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 body part, space out the shots.
How should you store semaglutide?
New unused Ozempic and Wegovy pens must be stored between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit (or between 2-8 degrees Celsius.
After the first use, store your Ozempic pen at room temperature between 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit or between 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you share semaglutide injection pens?
Absolutely not. 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.
Conclusion
Semaglutide, which reduces blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss, is helping thousands suffering from type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Among its brands, Ozempic and Wegovy are the most popular, and these are administered subcutaneously (under the skin) weekly. With subcutaneous injections, semaglutide is delivered quickly and effectively, able to gradually spread and be absorbed by the body.
Because of their pre-filled disposable dosing pens, patients can conveniently administer semaglutide at their chosen day of the week.
When administering, it’s important to double-check the pen to see if it’s the correct dosage. Hence, take your time when injecting the drug, and store the pens properly to preserve its efficacy.
As with any medication, Ozempic and Wegovy come with a list of potential risks and side effects. Make sure to report any adverse effects or symptoms you may experience to your healthcare provider.
Taking semaglutide alone is not enough for you to achieve your desired results. Discuss with your doctor how you can incorporate a healthy diet and ample physical activity into your treatment plan.
