Once approved for Ozempic treatment, you’ll receive a 12-week (approximately 3 months) prescription. You’ll likely have questions about the dosing process or what the first few months will look like after starting Ozempic. Those taking Ozempic may have different goals — to manage diabetes, weight loss, or both. One or more of these goals may be applicable to you so it’s important to discuss what your health goals are, and what schedule to follow with your healthcare practitioner before starting your treatment. Here are detailed breakdowns of your first 12 weeks, depending on your goals, to refer back to as needed, along with some other helpful information about Ozempic.
Note: The information shared below is the standard dosing schedule for Ozempic. Your dose may or may not increase at the same rate depending on the presence of side effects, the efficacy of the medication, or your healthcare practitioner has recommended that you remain at the same dose.
Goal: Managing diabetes only
If your goal is to manage diabetes, here is what your first 12 weeks will look like. The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg per week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, you will increase your dose to 0.5mg for 8 weeks. It’s important that you do not increase your dose at a faster rate than what is outlined here. This is because the medication was designed to be increased at a specific rate for your safety and in order to minimize side effects. This allows your body time to adjust to the medication.
Weeks 1-6
Your first Ozempic pen will last you 6 weeks. You’ll begin at a dose of 0.25mg and increase to 0.5mg in week 5. Even though your dose is increasing, you’ll keep using your current pen until the end of week 6. Your second pen will arrive before week 7.
Weeks 7-10
Your second Ozempic pen will last you 4 weeks. You’ll continue at a dose of 0.5mg for weeks 7 and 10. Your third pen will arrive before week 11.
Weeks 10-12
Your third Ozempic pen will last you 4 weeks, but you will need to complete a renewal after 2 weeks (beyond week 12) in order to continue treatment and assess your dosage. You’ll maintain a dose of 0.5mg for 2 weeks and will be prompted to complete a renewal between weeks 10 to 12 to allow enough time to receive your next pen.
Goal: Managing diabetes and weight loss, or weight loss only
If your goal is to manage diabetes and weight loss, or weight loss only, here is what your first 12 weeks will look like. The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg per week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, you will increase your dose to 0.5mg for another 4 weeks. You will subsequently increase to 1mg, if needed, after 4 weeks. It’s important that you do not increase your dose at a faster rate than what is outlined here. This is because the medication was designed to be increased at a specific rate for your safety and in order to minimize side effects. This allows your body time to adjust to the medication.
Weeks 1-6
Your first Ozempic pen will last you 6 weeks. You’ll begin at a dose of 0.25mg and increase to 0.5mg in week 5. Even though your dose is increasing, you’ll keep using your current pen until the end of week 6. Your second pen will arrive before week 7.
Weeks 7-9
Your second Ozempic pen will last you 3 weeks. You’ll continue at a dose of 0.5mg for weeks 7 and 8, before increasing your dose to 1mg during week 9. Your third pen will arrive before week 10.
Weeks 10-12
Your third Ozempic pen will last you 4 weeks, but you will need to complete a renewal after 3 weeks (beyond week 12) to continue treatment and assess your dosage. You’ll maintain a dose of 1mg for 3 weeks and will be prompted to complete a renewal between weeks 10 to 12 to allow enough time to receive your next pen.
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