From the Guidelines
Ozempic should be injected into the upper third anterior lateral aspect of the thigh, about midway between your knee and hip, to ensure proper absorption and minimize the risk of lipohypertrophy or other complications 1. When injecting Ozempic into the thigh, it is essential to choose an area with adequate subcutaneous fat, avoiding muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.
- Before injecting, clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry.
- Pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and fingers, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle, and press the injection button until the dose counter shows "0".
- Rotate injection sites with each dose to prevent lipohypertrophy (fatty lumps under the skin) which can affect medication absorption. The thigh is one of four recommended injection sites for Ozempic, along with the abdomen, buttock, and upper arm, as outlined in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings study 1. These areas are preferred because they have sufficient subcutaneous tissue where the medication can be properly absorbed into your bloodstream. If you experience persistent pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, contact your healthcare provider. It is also important to note that the absorption rate of Ozempic may vary depending on the injection site, with the abdomen having the fastest rate of absorption, followed by the arms, thighs, and buttocks 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 1, provides the most up-to-date guidance on injection techniques and sites, and should be prioritized in clinical practice.
From the FDA Drug Label
OZEMPIC is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Administer OZEMPIC subcutaneously to the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Instruct patients to use a different injection site each week when injecting in the same body region.
Injection Site: You can inject Ozempic in your thigh, but it is recommended to rotate injection sites each week when injecting in the same body region.
- Do not inject into a muscle or vein.
- Use a different site each time to minimize the risk of adverse reactions. 2
From the Research
Injection Site for Ozempic
There is no direct information in the provided studies regarding the specific injection site for Ozempic (semaglutide) in the thigh.
General Information on Semaglutide Administration
- Semaglutide is administered via subcutaneous injection 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies provided do not specify the exact location for subcutaneous injection in the thigh.
- It is essential to follow the recommended administration guidelines for semaglutide, which typically involve injecting into the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh 3, 4, 5, 6.
Important Considerations
- When administering semaglutide, it is crucial to rotate injection sites to minimize the risk of lipodystrophy and other local reactions 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The provided studies focus on the effects of semaglutide on various health conditions, such as HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, rather than the specific injection technique or site 3, 7, 4, 5, 6.