From the Guidelines
Ozempic should be injected into the front or outer part of your thigh, about midway between your knee and hip, into the subcutaneous tissue at a 90° angle, while pinching a fold of skin to avoid intramuscular injection, as recommended by the principles of insulin administration 1. When injecting Ozempic into the thigh, it is essential to choose an area with adequate subcutaneous fat tissue, 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 the recommended injection sites for Ozempic, along with the abdomen and upper arm, due to the presence of sufficient subcutaneous tissue where the medication can be properly absorbed into your bloodstream, as inferred from the principles of subcutaneous injections 1. If you experience persistent pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, contact your healthcare provider. It is crucial to follow proper injection techniques to ensure the effectiveness of the medication and minimize potential side effects, as outlined in the study on insulin administration 1.
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 into your thigh, but it is recommended to rotate the injection site each week when injecting in the same body region.
- No specific location in the thigh is recommended, but it should be subcutaneously (under the skin).
- Do not inject into a muscle or vein. 2 2
From the Research
Injection Site for Ozempic
The studies provided do not specifically mention the injection site for Ozempic (semaglutide) in the thigh. However, general guidelines for subcutaneous injections can be applied:
- Subcutaneous injections are typically given in the abdominal area, but they can also be administered in the thigh or upper arm.
- When injecting in the thigh, it is recommended to use the middle third of the thigh, about 2-3 inches below the top of the thigh and at least 2 inches away from the knee.
Important Considerations
- It is essential to follow the specific instructions provided by a healthcare professional or the medication's manufacturer for injecting Ozempic.
- The injection site should be rotated to avoid lipodystrophy (abnormal fat distribution) and other skin reactions.
- Patients should consult their healthcare provider if they have any questions or concerns about injecting Ozempic.
Relevant Studies
The provided studies discuss the efficacy and safety of semaglutide for weight loss and obesity management 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, but they do not provide specific information on the injection site for Ozempic in the thigh.