Ozempic (Semaglutide) belongs to a group of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is used alone or with other medications to improve blood glucose (sugar) levels for people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes medications such as Ozempic (Semaglutide) are used when diet, exercise, weight reduction and medications such as Metformin, Glyburide, or insulin have not been found to lower blood sugar well enough on their own. It works by helping your body make more insulin and control blood glucose levels.

Ozempic (Semaglutide) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Ozempic (Semaglutide) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Ozempic (Semaglutide) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Ozempic (Semaglutide) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Ozempic (Semaglutide), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Ozempic (Semaglutide) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Ozempic (Semaglutide) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Ozempic (Semaglutide) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

Each 1 mL of clear, colourless solution contains 1.34 mg of Ozempic (Semaglutide). Nonmedicianl ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injections.

There are 2 forms of the pre-filled, multi-dose, disposable pen. One pen delivers doses of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg Ozempic (Semaglutide), while the other pen delivers 1 mg doses only.

Each pen contains 2 mg of Ozempic (Semaglutide).

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Ozempic (Semaglutide). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Ozempic (Semaglutide) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Ozempic (Semaglutide). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• change in the taste of food or drink
• Constipation
• decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• gas or burping
• heartburn
• mild abdominal pain or bloating
• nausea
• redness, itching, or swelling at the injection site
• tiredness
• vomiting
• weight loss

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• signs of low blood glucose (e.g., anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery, headache, hunger, irritability, nausea, nervousness, numbness or tingling of the lips or tongue, sweating, tiredness, trembling, weakness)
• symptoms of gallstones (e.g., intermittent, severe, dull pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, intolerance of fatty or greasy foods)
• symptoms of irregular heartbeat (e.g., chest pain, dizziness, rapid, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath)
• vision changes caused by diabetic retinopathy (e.g., blurred or changing vision, floaters, changes in colour vision)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe Hypoglycemia (e.g., disorientation, loss of consciousness, seizures)
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or itchy skin rash)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Ozempic (Semaglutide).

Each 1 mL of clear, colourless solution contains 1.34 mg of Ozempic (Semaglutide). Nonmedicianl ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injections.

There are 2 forms of the pre-filled, multi-dose, disposable pen. One pen delivers doses of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg Ozempic (Semaglutide), while the other pen delivers 1 mg doses only.

Each pen contains 2 mg of Ozempic (Semaglutide).

Do not take Ozempic (Semaglutide) if you:

• are allergic to Ozempic (Semaglutide) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant
• are breast-feeding
• have a personal or family history of Thyroid cancer
• have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body)

There may be an interaction between Ozempic (Semaglutide) and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• androgens (e.g., testosterone)
• atypical antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone)
• oral corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Dabrafenib
• Danazol
• Disopyramide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• Glucagon
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Lanreotide
• Leuprolide
• mifepristone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• Niacin
• Octreotide
• other diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, glipizide, glyburide, insulin, metformin, Rosiglitazone)
• Pasireotide
• Pegvisomant
• pentamidine
• progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfas"; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)
• Sunitinib
• Tacrolimus
• Vorinostat

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ozempic (Semaglutide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996-2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Ozempic

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ozempic (Semaglutide).

Diabetes identification: It is important to either wear a bracelet (or necklace) or carry a card indicating you have diabetes and are taking medication to manage your blood glucose levels.

Heart problems: Ozempic (Semaglutide) may increase heart rate and may affect how electrical impulses travel through the heart muscle. If you have heart disease or an abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., heart block or fast heart rate), discuss with your doctor how Ozempic (Semaglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ozempic (Semaglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Ozempic (Semaglutide) may cause decreased kidney function, kidney failure or worsening chronic kidney failure. If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Ozempic (Semaglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ozempic (Semaglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia): People who use Ozempic (Semaglutide) and are also taking a sulfonylurea (e.g., glyburide, Gliclazide) or insulin to control high blood sugar are more at risk of experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as a cold sweat, nervousness or shakiness, fast heartbeat, headache, hunger, confusion, lightheadedness, weakness, and numbness or tingling of the tongue or lips, contact your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medication(s).

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Ozempic (Semaglutide) can cause pancreatitis. If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis such as severe and persistent abdominal pain that may move to the back with or without vomiting, contact your doctor immediately. If you have previously had pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how Ozempic (Semaglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ozempic (Semaglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Risk of thyroid cancer: In rare cases, people have developed thyroid cancer while using medications similar to Ozempic (Semaglutide). People with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or people who have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body) should not use Ozempic (Semaglutide). If you develop difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness or notice a mass developing in your neck, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy: Ozempic (Semaglutide) should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using Ozempic (Semaglutide), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Ozempic (Semaglutide) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Ozempic (Semaglutide), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Ozempic (Semaglutide) have not been established for children.