What are the dosages of Ozempic (Semaglutide)?

From the Guidelines

Ozempic (Semaglutide) should be initiated at a dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, then increased to 0.5 mg once weekly, and further increased to 1 mg once weekly if additional glycemic control is required, as recommended in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings study from 2022 1. The dosing strategy for Ozempic is designed to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, which are common with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

• The initial dose of 0.25 mg once weekly serves as an introductory period to allow the body to adjust to the medication.
• After 4 weeks, the dose can be increased to 0.5 mg once weekly, and if further glycemic control is needed, the dose can be increased to 1 mg once weekly.
• It's also important to note that Ozempic is available in an oral formulation, with an initial dose of 3 mg once daily, which can be taken at least 30 minutes before the first food, fluid, or other oral medications of the day 1. Key considerations for Ozempic dosing include:
• Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing as needed to minimize side effects
• Monitoring for common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Adjusting the dose based on individual patient response and glycemic control goals
• Considering the oral formulation as an alternative for patients who may have difficulty with injectable medications.

From the FDA Drug Label

Your pen is a prefilled, single-patient-use, dial-a-dose pen. It contains 2 mg of semaglutide, and you can select doses of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg. Your pen is a prefilled, single-patient-use, dial-a-dose pen. It contains 4 mg of semaglutide, and you can only select doses of 1 mg

The available dosages of Ozempic (Semaglutide) are:

• 0.25 mg
• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg 2 2

From the Research

Ozempic (Semaglutide) Dosages

• The dosages of Ozempic (Semaglutide) vary based on the formulation and intended use 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Semaglutide is available as a subcutaneous injection, with dosages of 0.5 or 1.0 mg once weekly, and as an oral dosage form 4, 5, 7.
• The oral formulation of semaglutide has been shown to be effective in reducing HbA1c and body weight, with similar efficacy to the subcutaneous formulation 7.
• In clinical trials, semaglutide has been administered at dosages of 1.0 mg once weekly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and 2.4 mg once weekly for weight loss in patients with obesity 4, 6.
• The dosage of semaglutide may need to be adjusted based on individual patient factors, such as renal or hepatic function, but no dose modification is required for adults and elderly patients with renal or hepatic disorders 5.

Administration and Formulation

• Semaglutide is available as a prefilled pen for subcutaneous injection, and as an oral tablet 4, 7.
• The subcutaneous formulation is administered once weekly, while the oral formulation is administered daily 4, 7.
• The oral formulation has been shown to be well-tolerated, with a similar safety profile to the subcutaneous formulation 7.

Clinical Efficacy

• Semaglutide has been shown to be effective in reducing HbA1c and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes, and in reducing cardiovascular risk factors 3, 4, 5.
• The clinical efficacy of semaglutide has been demonstrated in several clinical trials, including the SUSTAIN, PIONEER, and STEP trials 4, 6, 7.
• Semaglutide has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and for weight loss in patients with obesity 4, 6.