Medication guide
Ozempic
semaglutide
Ozempic is a once-weekly semaglutide injection labeled for adults with type 2 diabetes, including specific cardiovascular and kidney risk-reduction uses. It is not the semaglutide brand labeled for chronic weight management.
FDA label revision: May 2026 · Page updated 2026-09-14
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a once-weekly semaglutide injection labeled for adults with type 2 diabetes, including specific cardiovascular and kidney risk-reduction uses. It is not the semaglutide brand labeled for chronic weight management.[1]
How it works
Semaglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor. Its effects on incretin signaling influence glucose regulation, appetite, and gastric emptying. The approved purpose, formulation, dose, and monitoring plan depend on this exact brand rather than the ingredient name alone.[1]
Indications
- Adults with type 2 diabetes: Glycemic control alongside diet and exercise, with additional label-specific cardiovascular and kidney risk-reduction indications.[1]
Formulations and dosing
Injection
Subcutaneous · Once weekly
Strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg per dose
Adult dosing
Starting: 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks
- Increase to 0.5 mg once weekly after 4 weeks
- If additional glycemic control is needed after at least 4 weeks at 0.5 mg, increase to 1 mg once weekly
- If additional control is needed after at least 4 weeks at 1 mg, increase to 2 mg once weekly
Maintenance: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg once weekly
Maximum: 2 mg once weekly
[1]What Ozempic is not approved for
Ozempic is not FDA-approved as a chronic weight-management product. Wegovy is the semaglutide brand with weight-management labeling.[1,2]
Warnings
- The label carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. Ozempic is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.[1]
- Diabetic retinopathy complications occurred more often in a cardiovascular-outcomes trial; people with a history of diabetic retinopathy should be monitored.[1]
- Acute pancreatitis has been observed. Persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back, requires prompt evaluation.[1]
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal reactions can cause dehydration and acute kidney injury; kidney function may need monitoring during substantial fluid loss.[1]
- Ozempic delays gastric emptying. The label reports rare pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation, so the procedural team should know it is being used.[1]
Contraindications
If a dose is missed
The label says to take a missed weekly dose as soon as possible within 5 days. After more than 5 days, skip it and resume on the regular day; never double a dose.[1]
Common adverse reactions
The most common adverse reactions in placebo-controlled trials were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.[1]
Important label distinctions
Ozempic has label-specific cardiovascular and chronic-kidney-disease risk-reduction indications for defined adults with type 2 diabetes. Those are different from a general claim that it treats every cardiovascular or kidney condition.[1]
Product-specific evidence
Effectiveness results for Ozempic should be taken from trials and outcome studies conducted for its type 2 diabetes populations and labeled risk-reduction uses—not borrowed from Wegovy obesity trials simply because both products contain semaglutide.[1]
Cost and coverage
Insurance coverage may depend on the diagnosis, plan formulary, prior-authorization rules, and the exact brand. Before committing to care, confirm the medication cost, clinical or subscription fees, laboratory costs, refill process, and what happens if coverage changes. Prices and coverage should be checked directly rather than assumed from an advertised starting price.
Lifestyle considerations
Medication does not automatically preserve muscle, improve fitness, or meet nutrition needs. A practical plan can include manageable meals, adequate fluid, progressive strength work, aerobic activity, sleep, and follow-up adapted to symptoms and health history. Reduced appetite is not a reason to ignore persistent difficulty eating or drinking.
Questions to ask your clinician
- Which Ozempic indication applies to my health history?
- How will glucose, kidney measures, and eye health be monitored?
- Could insulin or a sulfonylurea raise my hypoglycemia risk?
- What should I do before anesthesia or deep sedation?
- What result and tolerability checkpoints will guide dose changes?
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