How to Write a 90-Day Prescription for Ozempic 4mg/3mL Pen Once Weekly
Write the prescription as: "Ozempic 4mg/3mL pen, inject 1mg subcutaneously once weekly, dispense 3 pens (12-week supply), 2 refills." This provides a full 90-day supply with appropriate refills for ongoing therapy.
Prescription Components
Product Specification
- Medication name: Ozempic (semaglutide) injection
- Concentration: 4mg/3mL prefilled pen
- Dose per injection: 1mg (this is the maintenance dose)
- Each pen delivers: 4 doses of 1mg 1
Quantity Calculation
- For once-weekly dosing at 1mg maintenance dose
- 1 pen = 4 weeks of therapy (4 doses × 1mg each)
- 3 pens = 12 weeks (approximately 90 days)
- Dispense: 3 pens
- Refills: 2 (to allow continuation of therapy)
Administration Instructions 1
Write on the prescription:
- "Inject 1mg subcutaneously once weekly"
- "Administer on the same day each week"
- "May inject in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm"
- "Rotate injection sites"
Critical Prescribing Considerations
Dose Titration Requirements
Important: If this is a new patient, you cannot start at 1mg. The FDA-approved titration schedule requires 1:
- Weeks 1-4: 0.25mg once weekly (use 0.25mg/0.5mg pen)
- Weeks 5+: 0.5mg once weekly minimum
- After ≥4 weeks at 0.5mg: May increase to 1mg once weekly if needed
For new patients, you must prescribe the 0.25mg/0.5mg pen (2mg/1.5mL) first, not the 4mg/3mL pen 1.
Pen Selection by Dose 1
- 0.25mg or 0.5mg doses: Use 2mg/1.5mL pen (delivers 0.25mg or 0.5mg doses)
- 1mg dose: Use 4mg/3mL pen (delivers only 1mg doses)
Storage and Handling
- Store unused pens refrigerated (36°F to 46°F)
- Once in use, may store at room temperature up to 86°F for 56 days
- Protect from light
- Do not freeze
Common Prescribing Pitfalls
Never prescribe the 4mg/3mL pen for dose titration - it only delivers 1mg doses and cannot be used for the required 0.25mg or 0.5mg initiation phases 1.
Ensure patient understands weekly dosing - missed doses can be taken within 5 days; if >5 days late, skip and resume regular schedule 1.
Verify insurance coverage - Ozempic for diabetes has different coverage than Wegovy (same drug) for weight management. The 4mg/3mL pen formulation is specifically for the 1mg maintenance dose 2, 3.
Counsel on needle disposal - each injection requires a new needle; provide sharps container prescription if needed 1.
Sample Prescription Format
Ozempic (semaglutide) 4mg/3mL prefilled pen
Sig: Inject 1mg subcutaneously once weekly on the same day each week
Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm)
Dispense: 3 pens
Refills: 2This assumes the patient has already completed dose titration and is established on 1mg weekly maintenance therapy 4, 1.