Skip to main content

How to use an Ozempic Pen

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes in addition to diet and exercise.

Video transcript

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes in addition to diet and exercise.

It can also be used to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

It’s available as a pre-filled, multi-dose pen, also called an autoinjector. The pens can deliver 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses depending on the strength.

Each dose is injected once a week under the skin.

If you have been prescribed Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, you should have received training from your healthcare professional on how to give yourself the injection safely.

In this video, we will review step-by–step how to give yourself an Ozempic injection using the pre-filled pen.

Before using Ozempic, review the Instructions for Use provided with your prescription.

When you are ready to inject your dose, gather your materials.

You will need: Your Ozempic pen, a new NovoFine Plus or NovoFine needle, a piece of gauze or a cotton ball, an alcohol swab, and a sharps container.

Now that you are ready to inject your dose, wash your hands and let’s review the steps on how to inject your Ozempic pen.

Step 1: Check your pen to make sure the medication isn’t expired, frozen, or cloudy. It should look clear and colorless, and shouldn’t have particles in it.

Step 2: Attach a new needle by removing the paper tab, pushing it onto the pen, and turning it until it is tight. Remove the outer cap and set it aside. Then, remove the inner cap and throw it away.

Step 3: Before the first injection with each new pen, check the flow. Refer to the full instructions to do this.

Step 4: Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the dose you have been prescribed.

Step 5: Choose your injection site. You can inject it into your stomach, 2 inches away from your belly button, or into your thigh or upper arm. Make sure to change your injection site each week. Clean your chosen injection site with an alcohol swab and let it dry.

Step 6: Insert the needle into your skin, making sure you can see the dose counter. Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows 0. You might hear or feel a click. Continue pressing the button and count for 6 seconds.

Step 7: Remove the pen from your skin and release the dose button. Carefully remove the needle and place it directly into a sharps container. Place the cap on your pen.

Step 8: If you have any bleeding at the injection site, you can press a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site until the bleeding has stopped.

If you have any questions about how to inject Ozempic, contact your healthcare provider or the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk.

Recommended videos

Ozempic: Uses, How It Works, and Common Side Effects

Ozempic is used in adults for type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar levels and also to lower the risk of stroke or heart attacks in adults with type 2 diabetes and who have heart disease. It should be used together with diet and exercise.

Ubrelvy: Uses, How it Works & Common Side Effects

Ubrelvy tablets are used to treat migraine headaches in adults, that are with or without aura.

Avoiding Drug Interactions

This FDA Consumer Update video provides helpful tips to avoid the three main types of interactions: drugs with food and beverages, drugs with dietary supplements, and drugs with other drugs.

Prednisone: Dosing and Side Effects

Brief review of prednisone dosing and common or serious side effects.

Amoxicillin: Antibiotic Action and Appropriate Uses

A look at how amoxicillin works and which bacterial infections it can treat

Browse by category

By medication