Ozempic 1 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Spain
Brand name Ozempic 1 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
Form solution for injection in pre-filled pen
Active substance / Dosage
SEMAGLUTIDE · 1 mg/dosis
Prescription type Prescription Only Medicine
Registration number 1171251005
Manufacturer Novo Nordisk A/S
Ozempic 1 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen solution for injection in pre-filled pen

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Ozempic 1 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen

semaglutide

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine, as it contains important information for you.

  • Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again.
  • If you have any questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only, and you should not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you. It may harm them.
  • If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Leaflet contents

  1. What Ozempic is and what it is used for
  2. What you need to know before using Ozempic
  3. How to use Ozempic
  4. Possible side effects
  5. How to store Ozempic
  6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Ozempic is and what it is used for

Ozempic contains the active substance semaglutide. It helps your body reduce blood sugar levels only when these levels are too high, and can help prevent heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It also helps slow the decline in kidney function in patients with T2DM through a mechanism separate from glucose reduction.

Ozempic is used to treat adults (18 years of age and older) with T2DM when diet and exercise alone are not sufficient:

  • as the only antidiabetic medication when you cannot use metformin (another diabetes medicine), or
  • in combination with other diabetes medicines: when these are not sufficient to control your blood sugar levels. These may be medicines taken orally or by injection, such as insulin.

It is important that you continue following the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

2. What you need to know before using Ozempic

Do not use Ozempic

  • if you are allergic to semaglutide or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before starting to use this medicine.

This medicine is not the same as insulin and you should not use it if:

  • you have type 1 diabetes, a condition in which your body produces no insulin
  • you develop diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes characterized by high blood sugar levels, difficulty breathing, confusion, excessive thirst, sweet-smelling breath, or a sweet or metallic taste in the mouth.

Ozempic is not insulin and therefore should not be used as a substitute for insulin.

If you know you are going to undergo surgery under anesthesia (a state of sleep), inform your doctor that you are taking Ozempic.

Gastrointestinal problems and dehydration

During treatment with this medicine, you may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These side effects may cause dehydration (loss of fluids). It is important that you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. This is especially important if you have kidney problems. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor.

Severe and persistent stomach pain that could be due to acute pancreatitis

If you have severe and persistent pain in the stomach area, contact your doctor immediately, as this could be a symptom of acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). See section 4 for warning signs of pancreatitis.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Combining a sulfonylurea or insulin with this medicine may increase the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). See section 4 for warning signs of low blood sugar. Your doctor may ask you to monitor your blood sugar levels. This will help your doctor decide whether the dose of sulfonylurea or insulin needs to be adjusted to reduce the risk of low blood sugar.

Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy)

If you have diabetic eye disease and are using insulin, this medicine may cause your vision to worsen, possibly requiring treatment. Inform your doctor if you have diabetic eye disease or experience any eye problems during treatment with this medicine. If you have potentially unstable diabetic eye disease, the use of Ozempic 2 mg is not recommended.

Sudden changes in vision

If you experience sudden loss or rapid worsening of vision during treatment with this medicine, consult your doctor immediately for advice. This could be due to a very rare side effect called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) (see section 4: Serious side effects). Your doctor may perform an eye examination and you may need to stop treatment with this medicine.

Patients with delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis)

If you have slow (delayed) gastric emptying, known as gastroparesis, using Ozempic may cause severe or serious gastrointestinal side effects. Consult your doctor before using Ozempic.

Children and adolescents

This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as safety and efficacy have not yet been established in these age groups.

Other medicines and Ozempic

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines, including herbal remedies or other medicines obtained without a prescription.

In particular, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you are taking medicines containing any of the following ingredients:

  • Warfarin or other similar oral anticoagulants (medicines to reduce blood clotting). You may need frequent blood tests to monitor how quickly your blood clots.
  • If you are using insulin, your doctor will advise you on how to reduce your insulin dose and recommend more frequent monitoring of your blood sugar levels to prevent hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body cannot break down glucose due to insufficient insulin).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy because it is unknown whether it affects the fetus. Therefore, use of contraception is recommended while taking this medicine. If you plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor about changing your treatment, as you must stop taking this medicine at least 2 months in advance. If you become pregnant while using this medicine, consult your doctor immediately, as your treatment will need to be changed.

Do not use this medicine during breastfeeding, as it is unknown whether it passes into breast milk.

Driving and using machines

It is unlikely that Ozempic will affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, if you use this medicine in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin, you may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can impair your concentration. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar. See section 2, “Warnings and precautions,” for information about increased risk of low blood sugar, and section 4 for warning signs of low blood sugar. Consult your doctor for further information.

Sodium content

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per dose; hence, essentially “sodium-free.”

3. How to use Ozempic

Always follow exactly the instructions provided by your doctor for administering this medicine. If you are unsure, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse again.

How much to use

  • The starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks.
  • After four weeks, your doctor will increase the dose to 0.5 mg once weekly.
  • Your doctor may increase the dose to 1 mg once weekly if your blood sugar level is not adequately controlled with the 0.5 mg once-weekly dose.
  • Your doctor may increase the dose to 2 mg once weekly if your blood sugar level is not adequately controlled with the 1 mg once-weekly dose.

Do not change your dose unless instructed by your doctor.

How to administer Ozempic

Ozempic is administered as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Do not inject into a vein or muscle.

  • The best injection sites are the front of the thigh, the front of your waist (abdomen), or the upper arm.
  • Before using the pen for the first time, your doctor or nurse will show you how to use it.

Detailed instructions for use can be found on the other side of this leaflet.

When to use Ozempic

  • You should use this medicine once a week, preferably on the same day each week.
  • The injection can be given at any time of day, regardless of meals.

To help you remember to inject this medicine only once a week, it is advisable to write down on the carton the chosen day of the week (e.g., Wednesday) and the date each time you inject it.

If necessary, you may change the day of the weekly injection, provided at least 3 days have passed since the last injection. Once the new administration day is selected, continue with the weekly dosing schedule.

If you use more Ozempic than you should

If you use more Ozempic than you should, contact your doctor immediately. You may experience adverse effects such as nausea.

If you forget to use Ozempic

If you forget to inject a dose and:

  • 5 days or fewer have passed since you should have used Ozempic, take it as soon as you remember. Then take the next dose as usual on the scheduled day.
  • more than 5 days have passed since you should have used Ozempic, skip the missed dose. Then take the next dose as usual on the scheduled day.

Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you stop using Ozempic

Do not stop treatment with this medicine without consulting your doctor. If you stop, your blood sugar levels may increase.

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone gets them.

Serious adverse effects

Frequent (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

  • Complications of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy); if you have eye problems such as changes in vision during treatment with this medicine, you should inform your doctor.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis), which may cause severe, persistent pain in the stomach and back. If you experience such symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions, angioedema). You must seek medical help and inform your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as breathing difficulties, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing, and palpitations.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

  • A condition of the eye called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which may cause painless vision loss in one eye. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden loss of vision or a progressive worsening of vision (see section 2: “Sudden changes in vision”).

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data)

  • Intestinal obstruction. A severe form of constipation with other symptoms such as stomach pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc.

Other adverse effects

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

  • Nausea; this effect usually resolves with time
  • Diarrhoea; this effect usually resolves with time
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when this medicine is used with medicines containing sulphonylurea or insulin

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

  • Vomiting
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when this medicine is used with oral diabetes medicines other than sulphonylureas or insulin

Symptoms of low blood sugar may appear suddenly. Some of these symptoms include: cold sweat, cold and pale skin, headache, palpitations, nausea or excessive hunger, changes in vision, drowsiness or feeling weak, nervousness, anxiety or confusion, difficulty concentrating, or tremors.

Your doctor will advise you on how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning symptoms.

Low blood sugar is more likely to occur if you are also using a sulphonylurea or insulin. Your doctor may reduce the dose of these medicines before you start using this medicine.

  • Indigestion
  • Inflamed stomach (gastritis); symptoms include stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
  • Reflux or heartburn; also known as “gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD)
  • Stomach pain
  • Stomach bloating
  • Constipation
  • Belching
  • Gallstones
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Weight loss
  • Decreased appetite
  • Gas (flatulence)
  • Increased pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase)
  • Headache

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • Changes in the taste of food and drinks
  • Rapid pulse
  • Reactions at the injection site, such as bruising, pain, irritation, itching, and rash
  • Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, or hives
  • Delayed stomach emptying

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data)

  • Change in skin sensitivity

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any adverse effect, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V.

By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Ozempic

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the label of the pen and on the outer packaging after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month indicated.

Before opening:

Store in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the cooling element of the refrigerator. Keep the pen in its cap to protect it from light.

After first opening:

Ozempic 1 mg (4-dose pen)

  • The pen may be stored for up to 6 weeks if kept below 30 °C or in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C), away from the cooling element of the refrigerator. Do not freeze Ozempic and do not use it if it has been frozen.

Ozempic 1 mg (8-dose pen)

  • The pen may be stored for up to 8 weeks if kept below 30 °C or in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C), away from the cooling element of the refrigerator. Do not freeze Ozempic and do not use it if it has been frozen.

  • When not in use, keep the pen with the cap on to protect it from light.

Do not use this medicine if you notice that the solution is not clear and colourless or almost colourless.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines and packaging that you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of Ozempic

  • The active substance is semaglutide.

    • Ozempic 4-dose pen
  • One ml of injectable solution contains 1.34 mg of semaglutide. A pre-filled pen contains 4 mg of semaglutide in 3 ml of solution. Each dose contains 1 mg of semaglutide in 0.74 ml.

    • Ozempic 8-dose pen
  • One ml of injectable solution contains 2.68 mg of semaglutide. A pre-filled pen contains 8 mg of semaglutide in 3 ml of solution. Each dose contains 1 mg of semaglutide in 0.37 ml.

  • The other components are: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, water for injections, sodium hydroxide/hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment). See also section 2, "Sodium content".

Nature of the product and pack contents

Ozempic is a clear, colourless or almost colourless injectable solution in a pre-filled pen.

Each pre-filled pen contains 3 ml of solution, allowing administration of 4 doses of 1 mg.

Each pre-filled pen contains 3 ml of solution, allowing administration of 8 doses of 1 mg.

Ozempic 1 mg injectable solution is available in the following pack sizes:

1 pen and 4 NovoFine Plus disposable needles.

1 pen and 8 NovoFine Plus disposable needles.

3 pens and 12 NovoFine Plus disposable needles.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Novo Nordisk A/S
Novo Allé
DK-2880 Bagsværd
Denmark

Manufacturer

Ozempic 1 mg (4-dose and 8-dose)
Novo Nordisk A/S
Novo Allé
DK-2880 Bagsværd
Denmark

Ozempic 1 mg (4-dose)
Novo Nordisk Production SAS
45, Avenue d’Orléans
28000 Chartres
France

Date of the most recent revision of this leaflet:

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu.

Instructions for use

Ozempic 1 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen allowing administration of 4 doses

semaglutide

Instructions for Use of Ozempic 1 mg Solution for Injection in a Pre-filled Pen

Read these instructions carefully before using your pre-filled Ozempic pen.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist how to correctly inject yourself with Ozempic.

Start by checking the pen to ensure it contains Ozempic 1 mg, then review the following images to become familiar with the different parts of the pen and the needle.

If you are blind or have low vision and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this pen without assistance. Seek help from someone with good eyesight who knows how to use the Ozempic pre-filled pen.

Your pen is a pre-filled, dose-dispensing pen. It contains 4 mg of semaglutide and allows you to select only 1 mg doses. An unused pen contains four 1 mg doses.

Use the table inside the box lid to keep a record of how many injections you have administered and when you administered them.

The pen is designed to be used with disposable needles of 30G, 31G, and 32G, up to 8 mm in length.

The package includes NovoFine Plus needles.

Diagram of the parts of an Ozempic pen with cap, needle, viewing window, label, dosing indicator, dose selector, and injection button

Important Information

Pay close attention to these notes, as they are important for the safe use of the pen.

  1. Preparing the Pen with a New Needle
  • Check the name and color of the label on your pen to ensure it contains Ozempic 1 mg. This is especially important if you use more than one type of injectable medication. Using the wrong medication could be harmful to your health.
  • Remove the pen cap.

Two hands forcefully separate two parts of a cylindrical medical device in light blue, indicated by a black arrow pointing to the right

  • Check that the solution in the pen is clear and colorless. Look through the pen window. If the solution appears cloudy or discolored, do not use the pen.

A hand holding a blue and gray cylindrical medical device with a transparent window showing the internal contents against a light blue background

  • Take a new needle.

Check that the paper tab and the outer needle cap are undamaged, as damage could compromise sterility. If you notice any damage, use a new needle.

  • Remove the paper tab.

Two hands holding and rotating a medical device to the left, with a blue arrow indicating the direction of rotational movement

Ensure the needle is properly attached.

  • Place the needle straight onto the pen.
  • Screw it on tightly.

A hand rotates the top part of an injection pen to the right, following the direction indicated by a blue curved arrow

The needle is covered by two caps. You must remove both caps. If you forget to remove both caps, no solution will be injected.

  • Remove the outer needle cap and keep it for later. You will need it after the injection to safely remove the needle from the pen.

A hand grasps the upper part of an injection pen and pushes it downward to attach the device to the main body base

  • Remove the inner needle cap and discard it. Attempting to replace it may result in accidental needlestick injury.

A drop of solution may appear at the tip of the needle. This is normal, but even so, you must check the flow if this is a new pen and your first use. See step 2, “Checking Flow with Each New Pen”.

Do not attach a new needle to the pen until you are ready to administer the injection.

A hand pulls off a protective cap from a pre-filled syringe laterally, following the direction of a blue arrow

Always use a new needle for each injection.

This helps prevent needle clogging, contamination, infection, and inaccurate dosing.

Never use a bent or damaged needle.

  1. Checking Flow with Each New Pen
  • If the pen is already in use, go to step 3, “Selecting the Dose”. Check flow only before the first injection with each new pen.
  • Turn the dose selector to the flow check symbol () just after the ‘0’. Ensure the flow check symbol aligns with the dose marker.

Two hands holding a blue injection pen with an arrow indicating rotational movement to select the medication flow rate

  • Hold the pen with the needle pointing upward.

Press and hold the injection button until the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must align with the dose marker.

A drop of solution should appear at the needle tip.

A hand holding a blue and gray injection pen with an arrow pointing downward

A small drop may remain at the needle tip, but it will not be injected.

If no drop appears, repeat step 2, “Checking Flow with Each New Pen”, up to 6 times. If still no drop appears, change the needle and repeat step 2 once more.

Discard the pen and use a new one if no solution drop appears despite these attempts.

Always ensure a drop appears at the needle tip before first use of a new pen. This confirms the solution is flowing.

If no drop appears, no medication will be injected, even if the dose counter moves. This may indicate the needle is blocked or damaged.

If you do not check flow before the first injection with each new pen, you may not receive the prescribed dose and may not achieve the intended effect of Ozempic.

  1. Selecting the Dose
  • Turn the dose selector to select 1 mg.

Continue turning until the dose counter stops and displays 1 mg.

Two hands holding a blue injection pen with an arrow indicating rotation to select a dosage of 1 mg displayed in a box

Only the dose counter and dose marker will indicate that 1 mg has been selected.

You can only select 1 mg per dose. When your pen contains less than 1 mg, the dose counter will stop before showing a 1.

The dose selector makes different clicks when turned forward, backward, or beyond 1 mg. Do not count the clicks of the pen.

Before injecting this medicine, always use the dose counter and dose marker to confirm that 1 mg has been selected.

Do not count the clicks of the pen.

Only 1 mg doses should be selected using the dose selector. The 1 mg mark must be exactly aligned with the dose marker to ensure you receive the correct dose.

How Much Solution Remains

  • To determine how much solution remains, use the dose counter: turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops.

If it shows 1, there is at least 1 mg remaining in the pen.

If the dose counter stops before reaching 1 mg, there is not enough solution left for a complete 1 mg dose.

Illustration of a light blue injection pen held between two hands with a curved arrow indicating rotation of the device and a box displaying the number 1

If there is not enough solution in the pen for a complete dose, do not use it. Instead, use a new Ozempic pen.

  1. Injecting the Dose
  • Insert the needle under the skin as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
  • Ensure you can see the dose counter. Do not cover it with your fingers. This could interrupt the injection.

A hand holds an injection pen ready to be pressed downward onto the skin, following the direction of a blue arrow

  • Press and hold the injection button. Watch as the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must align with the dose marker. At this point, you may hear or feel a click.
  • Continue holding the button while keeping the needle under the skin.

A hand holds an injection pen pointing downward with a blue arrow indicating movement and a dosage detail shown against a light blue background

  • Count slowly to 6 while holding the button down.
  • If you remove the needle too early, you may see solution leaking from the needle tip. In this case, the full dose will not have been administered.

A hand holds an injection pen placed on the skin with a speech bubble indicating to count slowly from one to six

  • Remove the needle from the skin. Then release the button.

If bleeding occurs at the injection site, apply light pressure.

Blue arrow pointing downward

A drop of solution may appear at the needle tip after injection. This is normal and does not affect your dose.

  • Always observe the dose counter to confirm how many mg are injected. Keep the button pressed until the dose counter returns to ‘0’.

How to Detect if the Needle is Blocked or Damaged

  • If the ‘0’ does not appear in the dose counter after continuously pressing the button, you may have used a blocked or damaged needle.
  • In this case, you will not have received any medication, even if the dose counter moved from the original dose set.

What to Do if the Needle is Blocked

Change the needle as described in step 5, “After Injection”, and repeat all steps from step 1, “Preparing the Pen with a New Needle”. Ensure you select the full dose required.

Never touch the dose counter during injection. This may interrupt the injection.

  1. After Injection

Always discard the needle after each injection to ensure injections are properly administered and to prevent needle clogging. If the needle is blocked, no medication will be injected.

  • Place the needle tip into its outer cap, placed on a flat surface, without touching the needle or the outer cap.

Blue arrow pointing to the left, indicating the movement of placing a protective cap onto a white cylindrical medical device

  • Once the needle is protected, carefully press the outer needle cap down firmly.
  • Unscrew the needle and dispose of it carefully according to instructions from your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or local authorities.

Two hands holding a blue injection pen on a flat surface with a blue arrow indicating a sliding movement to the right

  • Replace the pen cap after each use to protect the solution from light.

Two hands holding a blue and white cylindrical medical device with a blue arrow indicating a sliding movement to the left

When the pen is empty, discard it without the needle attached, following instructions from your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or local authorities.

Never attempt to reattach the inner needle cap. You could be accidentally pricked by the needle.

Always remove the needle from the pen immediately after each injection.

This helps prevent needle clogging, contamination, infection, solution leakage, and inaccurate dosing.

Additional Important Information

  • Always keep the pen and needles out of sight and reach of others, especially children.
  • Never share the pen or needles with other people.
  • People caring for patients should handle used needles with extreme care to avoid accidental needlestick injuries and infections.

Maintaining Your Pen

Handle the pen with care. Rough handling or misuse may result in inaccurate dosing. If this occurs, you may not achieve the intended effect of this medicine.

  • Do not leave the pen in a car or in other places where it could become too hot or too cold.
  • Do not inject Ozempic that has been frozen. If you do, you may not achieve the intended effect of this medicine.
  • Do not inject Ozempic that has been exposed to direct sunlight. If you do, you may not achieve the intended effect of this medicine.
  • Do not expose the pen to dust, dirt, or liquids.
  • Do not wash, wet, or lubricate the pen. It may be cleaned with a cloth dampened with mild detergent.
  • Ensure the pen does not fall or hit hard surfaces. If the pen is dropped or you suspect it may be damaged, attach a new needle and check flow before injecting.
  • Do not attempt to refill the pen. Once empty, it must be discarded.
  • Do not attempt to repair or disassemble the pen.

Instructions for use

Ozempic 1mg solution for injection in a pre-filled pen capable of delivering 8 doses

semaglutide

Instructions for use of Ozempic 1 mg solution for injection in a pre-filled pen

Read these instructions carefully before using your Ozempic pre-filled pen. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist how to correctly inject yourself with Ozempic.

Begin by checking the pen to ensure it contains Ozempic 1 mg, then review the following images to become familiar with the different parts of the pen and the needle.

If you are blind or have reduced vision and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this pen without assistance. Seek help from a person with good eyesight who knows how to use the Ozempic pre-filled pen.

Your pen is a pre-filled, dose-dispensing pen. It contains 8 mg of semaglutide and allows you to select only 1 mg doses. An unused pen contains eight 1 mg doses.

After injecting the intended doses, some solution will remain in the pen. The pen must be discarded.

Use the table inside the box lid to keep a record of how many injections you have administered and when you administered them.

The pen is designed to be used with disposable needles of 30G, 31G, and 32G, up to 8 mm in length.

The package includes NovoFine Plus needles.

Medical diagram showing the parts of an Ozempic pen with cap, needle, window, label, dose counter, and selection button

Important information

Pay special attention to these notes, as they are important for the safe use of the pen.

  1. Preparing the pen with a new needle
  • Check the name and color of the label on your pen to ensure it contains Ozempic 1 mg. This is especially important if you use more than one type of injectable medication. Using the wrong medication could be harmful to your health.
  • Remove the pen cap.

Two hands holding a blue cylindrical medical device and separating it by pulling outward

  • Check that the solution in the pen is clear and colorless. Look through the window of the pen. If the solution appears cloudy or colored, do not use the pen.

A hand horizontally holding a light blue and transparent cylindrical medical device with the letter B in a blue box at the top left

  • Take a new needle.

Check that the paper tab and the outer needle cap are undamaged, as damage could compromise sterility. If you notice any damage, use a new needle.

  • Remove the paper tab.

Two hands gripping and rotating a transparent medical device to the left, following the direction of a dark blue arrow

Ensure the needle is properly attached.

  • Place the needle straight onto the pen.
  • Screw it on firmly until tight.

A hand rotates the upper part of a blue and transparent cylindrical medical device downward, following a curved arrow

The needle is covered by two caps. You must remove both caps. If you forget to remove both caps, no solution will be injected.

  • Remove the outer needle cap and keep it for later. You will need it after the injection to safely remove the needle from the pen.

A hand grasps the base of a medical device and moves it to the right, with a blue arrow indicating the direction of movement

  • Remove the inner needle cap and discard it. Do not attempt to reattach it, as you may accidentally prick yourself with the needle.

A drop of solution may appear at the tip of the needle. This is normal, but even so, you must check the flow if this is a new pen and it is the first time you are using it. See step 2, “Checking flow with each new pen”.

Do not attach a new needle to the pen until you are ready to administer the injection.

A hand holds a medical device and moves it to the right to attach it to an injection pen, with a directional blue arrow

Always use a new needle for each injection.

This helps prevent needle blockage, contamination, infection, and inaccurate dosing.

Never use a bent or damaged needle.

  1. Checking flow with each new pen
  • If the pen is already in use, go to step 3, “Selecting the dose”. Check flow only before the first injection with each new pen.
  • Turn the dose selector to the flow check symbol () just after ‘0’. Ensure the flow check symbol aligns with the marker.

Two hands holding a light blue injection pen with an arrow indicating the selected flow control symbol in an enlarged detail box

  • Hold the pen with the needle pointing upward.

Press and hold the injection button until the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must align with the dose marker.

A drop of solution should appear at the tip of the needle.

A hand holding a blue and transparent pen-shaped medical device with an arrow pointing downward

A small drop may remain at the tip of the needle, but it will not be injected.

If no drop appears, repeat step 2, “Checking flow with each new pen”, up to 6 times. If still no drop appears, change the needle and repeat step 2, “Checking flow with each new pen”, once more.

Discard the pen and use a new one if no solution drop appears despite all attempts.

Always ensure a drop appears at the tip of the needle before using a new pen for the first time. This ensures the solution flows properly.

If no drop appears, no medication will be injected, even if the dose counter moves. This may indicate the needle is blocked or damaged.

If you do not check flow before the first injection with each new pen, you may not receive the prescribed dose and may not achieve the intended effect of Ozempic.

  1. Selecting the dose
  • Turn the dose selector to select 1 mg.

Continue turning until the dose counter stops and displays 1 mg.

Two hands holding a light blue medical device with an arrow indicating rotational movement to select a dosage of 1 mg

Only the dose counter and dose marker will indicate that 1 mg has been selected.

You can only select 1 mg per dose. When your pen contains less than 1 mg, the dose counter will stop before reaching 1.

The dose selector makes different clicking sounds when turned forward, backward, or beyond 1 mg. Do not count the clicks of the pen.

Before injecting this medicine, always use the dose counter and dose marker to confirm that 1 mg has been selected.

Do not count the clicks of the pen.

Only 1 mg doses should be selected using the dose selector. The 1 mg mark must be exactly aligned with the dose marker to ensure you receive the correct dose.

How much solution remains

  • To determine how much solution remains, use the dose counter: turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops.

If it shows 1, there is at least 1 mg remaining in the pen.

If the dose counter stops before 1 mg, there is not enough solution left for a complete 1 mg dose.

Hands holding a light blue medical device with a counter showing zero and a box indicating a residual amount of 1 mg

If there is not enough solution in the pen for a complete dose, do not use it. Instead, use a new Ozempic pen.

  1. Injecting the dose
  • Insert the needle under the skin as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
  • Ensure you can see the dose counter. Do not cover it with your fingers, as this could interrupt the injection.

A hand holding an injection pen ready to be pressed vertically downward onto the skin as indicated by a blue arrow pointing downward

  • Press and hold the injection button. Watch as the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must align with the dose marker. At this point, you may hear or feel a click.
  • Continue holding the button while keeping the needle under the skin.

A hand holding an injection pen with a blue arrow pointing downward and a box showing the dosage set to zero units

  • Count slowly to 6 while holding the button down.
  • If you remove the needle too early, you may see solution leaking from the tip. In this case, the full dose will not have been administered.

A hand holding an injection pen against the skin with a speech bubble indicating to count slowly from one to six

  • Remove the needle from the skin. Then release the button.

If bleeding occurs at the injection site, apply light pressure.

Medical diagram with a blue arrow pointing downward

A drop of solution may appear at the tip of the needle after injection. This is normal and does not affect your dose.

  • Always observe the dose counter to confirm how many mg are injected. Hold the button down until the dose counter returns to ‘0’.

How to detect if the needle is blocked or damaged

  • If the ‘0’ does not appear in the dose counter after continuously pressing the button, you may have used a blocked or damaged needle.
  • In this case, no medication will have been delivered, even if the dose counter moved from the original dose set.

What to do if the needle is blocked

Change the needle as described in step 5, “After the injection”, and repeat all steps from step 1, “Preparing the pen with a new needle”. Ensure you select the full dose required.

Never touch the dose counter during injection. This may interrupt the injection.

  1. After the injection

Always discard the needle after each injection to ensure injections are administered correctly and to prevent needle blockage. If the needle is blocked, no medication will be injected.

  • Place the needle tip into its outer cap, placed on a flat surface, without touching the needle or the outer cap.

A blue arrow indicates the movement of placing a white protective cap onto the tip of a medical injection pen

  • Once the needle is protected, carefully press the outer needle cap fully onto the needle.
  • Unscrew the needle and dispose of it carefully according to instructions from your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or local authorities.

Hands holding a medical device to extract or push a component to the right, indicated by a dark blue arrow

  • Replace the pen cap after each use to protect the solution from light.

Two hands holding a blue and white cylindrical device with an arrow indicating the separation movement between the two parts of the container

When the pen is empty, discard it without the needle attached, following instructions from your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or local authorities.

Never attempt to reattach the inner needle cap. You may prick yourself with the needle.

Always remove the needle from the pen immediately after each injection.

This helps prevent needle blockage, contamination, infection, solution leakage, and inaccurate dosing.

Additional important information

  • Always keep the pen and needles out of sight and reach of others, especially children.
  • Never share the pen or needles with other people.
  • Persons caring for patients must be very careful when handling used needles to avoid accidental needle sticks and infections.

Maintenance of your pen

Handle the pen with care. Rough handling or misuse may lead to inaccurate dosing. If this occurs, you may not achieve the intended effect of this medicine.

  • Do not leave the pen in a car or other places where it may become too hot or too cold.
  • Do not inject Ozempic that has been frozen. If you do, you may not achieve the intended effect of this medicine.
  • Do not inject Ozempic that has been exposed to direct sunlight. If you do, you may not achieve the intended effect of this medicine.
  • Do not expose the pen to dust, dirt, or liquids.
  • Do not wash, wet, or lubricate the pen. It may be cleaned with a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent.
  • Ensure the pen does not fall or strike hard surfaces. If the pen is dropped or you suspect it may be damaged, attach a new needle and check flow before injecting.
  • Do not attempt to refill the pen. Once empty, it must be discarded.
  • Do not attempt to repair or disassemble the pen.