Ozempic
A GLP-1 receptor agonist (semaglutide) given as a once-weekly injection under the skin, authorised in the EU for type 2 diabetes.
General information, not medical advice. Docalo does not sell medicines, and prescription-only medicines are prescribed only after an individual medical assessment.
What Ozempic is and how it works
Ozempic contains semaglutide, a copy of GLP-1, a hormone the gut releases after a meal. It helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high, lowers the release of glucagon and slows how quickly the stomach empties.
Its EU authorisation covers type 2 diabetes only. Weight management with the same active substance is a separate EU authorisation under another name, with a different dose ladder, so the two products are not interchangeable.
Who it may suit, according to the label
- Adults with type 2 diabetes that is not sufficiently controlled, alongside diet and exercise.
- On its own when metformin is not suitable, or added to other diabetes medicines.
- It is not authorised for weight management, for type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis.
Only a doctor who knows your history can decide whether a medicine suits you.
How to use Ozempic
Once a week, same day. One injection under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, once a week, at any time of day, with or without food.
Built up in steps. The product information starts at 0.25 mg a week for four weeks, then 0.5 mg. The prescriber may increase the dose to 1 mg and then 2 mg, at least four weeks apart. 2 mg once a week is the maximum.
If you miss a dose. Take it as soon as possible within five days of the missed dose. After more than five days, skip it and take the next dose on the usual day.
Common side effects
Get urgent medical help if (whatever the frequency): Severe, persistent stomach pain, often spreading to the back, Sudden loss of vision, including partial loss in one eye, Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): nausea, diarrhoea, low blood sugar when used with insulin or a sulfonylurea
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, indigestion, reduced appetite, low blood sugar when used with other diabetes tablets, headache, tiredness, gallstones, dizziness
Safety
Do not use Ozempic if
- You have ever had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any ingredient in the pen
- You have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, because semaglutide is not a substitute for insulin
- You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy within the next two months, or breastfeeding
People with diabetic eye disease need closer eye checks when blood sugar falls quickly. Always read the patient leaflet supplied with the pen.
Read the safety summaryYour questions answered
Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
Is Ozempic authorised for weight loss in the EU?
More questions
Can Ozempic cause low blood sugar?
References
This page summarises the official product information and the published sources below.
- Ozempic (semaglutide): European public assessment report European Medicines Agency, 2018
- Ozempic: Annex I Summary of Product Characteristics European Medicines Agency, 2026
- Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN-6). N Engl J Med 2016;375:1834-44 New England Journal of Medicine, 2016
- SUSTAIN-6 (NCT01720446) ClinicalTrials.gov, 2016
Other medicines used in weight management
Talk to a doctor about weight care
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Talk to a doctor about weight careGeneral information, not medical advice. Docalo does not sell medicines, and prescription-only medicines are prescribed only after an individual medical assessment.
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