
This product is currently not available for retail
Due to potential shortages of Ozempic in Canada, we are following the recommendations from the Canadian Ministry of health, and have decided to temporarily remove Ozempic for retail.
Subscribe below to stay informed when Ozempic is available for purchase.
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
What is Ozempic (Semaglutide)?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medication that is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes by boosting a patient’s natural insulin production and balancing blood glucose levels.
How is Ozempic Used?
Ozempic is a liquid medication that comes in prefilled doses in a disposable autoinjector pen to be injected under a patient’s skin.
Patients will give themselves the injections according to the dosing schedule provided by their prescribing physician. Ozempic injections are done in the skin on the patient’s abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. The injection site should be rotated each time the medication is administered, and patients should be sure to install a new needle for every use to avoid infection or other health concerns.
Storage
New and unused Ozempic autoinjector pens should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature in the range of 36°F to 45°F. Once the pen has been opened and used, it should be stored either in the refrigerator in the temperature range of 36°F to 46°F or in a room temperature setting ranging between 59°F to 86°F.
Keep this medication out of the reach of children at all times.
After opening, prefilled Ozempic pens will expire in 56 days. Patients are requested to mark this date in a place they will remember to ensure that they properly dispose of their expired Ozempic pens at the correct time.
Do not share your Ozempic pen with another person.
Do not use your Ozempic pen if the medication contained within the pen appears cloudy or discolored.
Uses
Ozempic is prescribed for adult individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to help manage their blood glucose levels.
Additionally, Ozempic may also be prescribed for patients with certain health risks, such as those with diabetes or heart disease, as this medication may lower a patient’s chances of having a stroke or experiencing a heart attack.
How Does Ozempic Work?
Ozempic works alongside patients making changes to their lifestyles, diets, and exercise habits by causing an increase in insulin production. This medication also reduces the rate at which the stomach empties, allowing for nutrients to be released more slowly and thereby preventing spikes in blood sugar after consuming a meal. Additionally, this GLP-1 RA medication inhibits the liver from releasing an excessive amount of sugar into the bloodstream, further preventing difficulties with managing one’s blood glucose levels.
Dosage
Although a doctor will determine the correct dosage of Ozempic for your particular health situation, this medication is available in the following strengths:
- 2 mg/1.5 mL (0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose per injection)
- 4 mg/3 mL (1 mg dose per injection)
- 8 mg/3 mL (2 mg dose per injection)
Each autoinjector pen contains multiple doses of Ozempic, and your doctor should advise you on proper use as well as when you should dispose of the pen and begin using a new pen.
This medication is typically injected once per week. Patients should strive to inject this medication at the same time on the same day of each week.
Often, doctors prescribe Ozempic at a lower dose for the first four weeks of use before determining if an increase of the dosage for treatment is advisable. For most patients, the dosage is increased after the first month. This increase is determined by the patient’s usual blood sugar levels as well as any additional health concerns or conditions that may apply.
Overdose
Overdosing on Ozempic typically results in symptoms such as low blood sugar, nausea, and vomiting. If you suspect that you have overdosed on this medication, call your doctor or local Poison Control Center. Seek out emergency medical help if you are experiencing any symptoms that are severe.
Due to Ozempic’s ability to lower a patient’s blood glucose levels as well as remain in a person’s system for about a week, individuals who have managed to overdose or administer too much of the medication too soon after a previous dose may struggle with hypoglycemia while the medicine remains active for nearly seven days.
Side Effects
Taking Ozempic may result in side effects for some individuals.
The most common side effects of taking Ozempic are as follows:
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
Some of the following side effects may occur and require immediate medical attention if a patient experiences one or more of these while taking Ozempic:
- anxiety
- a lump in the neck
- blurred vision
- breathing difficulties
- chills
- clammy skin
- confusion
- coughing
- decreased urination
- empty or dark visual areas
- fatigue
- “floaters” (strings or spots present in one’s visual field)
- hunger
- impatience
- irritability
- itching
- lightheadedness
- nausea
- nervousness
- rapid heart rate
- rash
- shaking
- shock
- sweating
- swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs
- trouble swallowing
- upper abdominal pain
- vision changes that fluctuate
- vision loss
- vomiting
Please contact your doctor for further information if you experience any side effects and have any concerns.
Warnings & Precautions
Ozempic is not a medication that should be used by any individuals who have had pancreatitis nor is it suitable for use in type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis.
Children
It has not been determined if this medication is effective or safe for use in children under the age of 18 years old.
Medication Absorption
Due to the nature of Ozempic’s function in slowing digestion in patients taking the medication, Ozempic may possibly affect the absorption of other medications a patient may be taking since many medications are digested and absorbed through the stomach. Before beginning Ozempic, be sure to tell your doctor about any current supplements or medications you may be taking that may be impacted by this.
Alcohol Use
Alcohol may affect a patient’s blood glucose levels, meaning alcohol consumption runs the risk of negatively interacting with Ozempic when the two are consumed together. It is recommended that patients taking Ozempic only consume alcohol in moderation and avoid doing so after exercising as well as on an empty stomach as both of these factors can contribute to the individual experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).
Pregnancy
Patients who are pregnant or may become pregnant should discuss the use of this medication with their doctor. Ozempic is not safe to use during pregnancy due to the harm that may be caused to a patient’s unborn child. Additionally, it is recommended that its use be discontinued at least two months before a patient plans on becoming pregnant. For individuals who take Ozempic and may become pregnant, it is strongly recommended to use appropriate protection to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. In animal studies, Ozempic was shown to cause structural abnormalities as well as early pregnancy losses regardless of dosage.
Breastfeeding
Although there is very little likelihood that taking Ozempic while breastfeeding could impact the health of an infant or be absorbed whatsoever, it is still recommended to proceed with caution, especially if a mother is taking Ozempic and feeding a preterm infant or newborn.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Patients with diabetic retinopathy should be cautious when using Ozempic as rapidly improved control of one’s blood glucose levels has been linked to a transient worsening of retinopathy associated with diabetes. Individuals with this condition should notify their doctor before taking Ozempic that they have diabetic retinopathy, and these individuals should be monitored closely for any worsening of the condition.
Additional Medical Conditions
If you have any of the following medical conditions, exercise caution when taking Ozempic, and discuss your medical history with your doctor before beginning this medication:
- pancreatitis
- hypoglycemia
- thyroid cancer
- renal impairment
- suicidal ideation or behavior
Drug Interactions
Speak to your doctor about any medications or herbal supplements you are currently taking before beginning treatment with Ozempic. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor or a trusted pharmacist.
Drugs That Should Not Be Used with Ozempic
The following medications should never be used alongside Ozempic:
- bexarotene
- gatifloxacin
Using bexarotene when taking Ozempic may result in an increased risk of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). The use of gatifloxacin may impact a patient’s blood glucose levels which will be further affected by the use of Ozempic. If you take either of these medications, consult with your doctor before beginning treatment with Ozempic.
Other Drugs That May Interact with Ozempic
The following medications and herbal supplements are also indicated to cause interactions when used alongside Ozempic:
- acetazolamide
- acetohexamide
- albuterol
- alclometasone topical
- aloe vera
- alpelisib
- amcinonide topical
- amprenavir
- aripiprazole
- asenapine
- asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi
- asparaginase Escherichia coli
- atazanavir
- bendroflumethiazide
- benzphetamine
- betamethasone
- betamethasone (topical)
- bortezomib
- brentuximab
- brexpiprazole
- brigatinib
- bumetadine
- calaspargase pegol
- cariprazine
- ceritinib
- chlorothiazide
- chlorotrianisene
- chlorpromazine
- chlorpropamide
- chlorthalidone
- chromic chloride hexahydrate
- chromium picolinate
- clobetasol topical
- clocortolone topical
- conixacin
- ciprofloxacin
- clarithromycin
- clozapine
- conjugated estrogens
- conjugated estrogens (topical)
- copanlisib
- corticorelin
- corticotropin
- cortisone
- cosyntropin
- daclatasvir
- danazol
- darunavir
- deflazacort
- delafloxacin
- desonide (topical)
- desoximetasone (topical)
- dexamethasone (topical)
- dexamethasone
- dexamethasone (ophthalmic)
- dexfenfluramine
- diazoxide
- dichlorphenamide
- dienestrol topical
- diethylproprion
- diethylstilbestrol
- diflorasone (topical)
- dobutamine
- dopamine
- drospirenone
- enfortumab vedotin
- enoxacin
- ephedrine
- epinephrine
- esterifiedid estrogens
- estradiol
- estradiol (topical)
- estramustine
- estrone
- estropipate
- estropipate (topical)
- ethacrynic acid
- ethanol
- ethinyl estradiol
- etonogestrel
- everolimus
- fenfluramine
- fludrocortisone
- fluocinolone (topical)
- fluocinonide (topical)
- flurandrenolide (topical)
- fluticasone (topical)
- fluphenazine
- formoterol
- fosamprenavir
- fosphenytoin
- furosemide
- gemifloxacin
- ginseng
- glimepiride
- glipizide
- glyburide
- goserelin
- grepafloxacin
- halcinonide (topical)
- halobetasol (topical)
- histrelin
- hydrochlorothiazide
- hydrocortisone
- hydrocortisone (topical)
- hydroflumethiazide
- hydroxyprogesterone
- iloperidone
- indacaterol
- indapamide
- indinavir
- insulin
- insulin aspart
- insulin aspart protamine
- insulin degludec
- insulin detemir
- insulin glargine
- insulin glulisine
- insulin inhalation, rapid acting
- insulin isophane
- insulin lispro
- insulin lispro protamine
- insulin regular
- insulin zinc
- insulin zinc (extended)
- isoniazid
- isoproterenol
- lanreotide
- leuprolide
- levofloxacin
- levonorgestrel
- levothyroxine
- liothyronine
- liotrix
- lithium
- lomefloxacin
- lonapegsomatropin
- lorcaserin
- lumateperone
- lurasidone
- ma huang
- mazindol
- medroxyprogesterone
- megestrol
- mephentermine
- mesoridazine
- metaproterenol
- metaraminol
- methamphetamine
- methazolamide
- methdilazine
- methotrimeprazine
- methoxamine
- methyclothiazaide
- methylprednisolone
- methylprednisolone (topical)
- metolazone
- midostaurin
- mometasone (topical)
- moxifloxacin
- nalidixic acid
- nateglinide
- nelfinavir
- niacin
- niacinamide
- norepinephrine
- norethindrone
- norfloxacin
- norgestrel
- octeotide
- ofloxacin
- olanzapine
- olodaterol
- omacetaxine
- orlistat
- paliperidone
- pasireotide
- pegaspargase
- pegvisomant
- pentamidine
- perphenazine
- phendimetrazine
- phentermine
- phenylephrine
- phenylpropanolamine
- phenytoin
- polythiazide
- prednicarbate (topical)
- prednisolone
- prednisone
- prochlorperazine
- progesterone
- progesterone (topical)
- promazine
- promethazine
- propiomazine
- pseudoephedrine
- quetiapine
- quinestrol
- repaglinide
- risperidone
- ritodrine
- ritonavir
- salmeterol
- saquinavir
- sermorelin
- sibutramine
- simeprevir
- sirolimus
- sirolimus protein-bound
- sofosbuvir
- somapacitan-beco
- somatrem
- somatropin
- sparfloxacin
- sucralfate
- tacrolimus
- tagraxofusp
- temsirolimus
- teprotumumab
- terbutaline
- tesamorelin
- thiethylperazine
- thioridazine
- thyroid desiccated
- thyrotropin alpha
- tipranavir
- tolazamide
- tolbutamide
- torsemide
- triamcinolone
- triamcinolone (topical)
- triamcinolone (ophthalmic)
- trichlormethiazide
- trifluoperazine
- triflupromazine
- trimeprazine
- triptorelin
- trovafloxacin
- turmeric
- vorinostat
- ziprasidone
Alternative Medications
For patients who are unable to take Ozempic or experience significant adverse side effects, alternative medications may be used to treat some of the associated conditions for which this medication is commonly prescribed.
GLP-1 Agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists):
- Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
- Bydureon, Byetta (exenatide)
- Trulicity (dulaglutide)
- Victoza (liraglutide)
SGLT2 Inhibitors (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors):
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
- Invokana (canagliflozin)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Steglatro (ertugliflozin)
DPP-4 Inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors):
- Januvia (sitagliptin)
- Nesina (alogliptin)
- Onglyza (saxagliptin)
- Tradjenta (linagliptin)
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors:
- Glyset (miglitol)
- Precose (acarbose)
Biguanide medication:
- Metformin (otherwise listed as Glucophage, Riomet, and Glumetza)
Sulfonylureas:
- Amaryl (glimepiride)
- chlorpropamide
- Diabeta, Glynase Prestabs (glyburide)
- Glucotrol (glipizide)
Thiazolidinedione medications:
- Actos (pioglitazone)
- Avandia (rosiglitazone)