Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich Pexels Logo Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich

Can you inject Ozempic twice?

It is a once-weekly injection using a prefilled Ozempic pen. If you take too much Ozempic, you could develop severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In the event of an overdose, call your healthcare provider right away and monitor for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar using a glucometer.

What foods make you sleepy?
What foods make you sleepy?

Here are the 9 best foods and drinks you can have before bed to enhance your quality of sleep. Almonds. Almonds are a type of tree nut with many...

Read More »
How many tea should I drink to lose weight?
How many tea should I drink to lose weight?

Drinking between 2 and 3 cups of hot green tea throughout the day should be sufficient for supplementing weight loss. The exact amount will vary...

Read More »

See more Disclaimer If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may prescribe Ozempic (semaglutide) to help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent cardiovascular complications (like heart attack and stroke). While Ozempic is self-administered using a prefilled injectable pen, it is possible to accidentally give yourself a higher dose than prescribed. So what happens if you take too much Ozempic? Keep reading to find out (spoiler: it can severely lower your blood sugar). This article will also explain the purpose of Ozempic, dosage information, and possible side effects and complications. Lose 15% of your body weight Ro’s 12-month Body Program helps you lose an average of 15% body weight Learn more

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is an injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not insulin. It’s part of a class of drugs called glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that stimulate the pancreas to release insulin after eating, helping to prevent high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) (Collins, 2022). Significantly lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise Reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have pre-existing cardiovascular disease Other type 2 diabetes medications on the market similar to Ozempic include Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide). They are also GLP-1 receptor antagonists and are FDA approved to lower blood sugar and prevent cardiovascular events. The only significant difference is how often they are administered (Collins, 2022):

Ozempic and Trulicity are weekly injections.

Victoza is a daily injection.

Ozempic is commonly used with metformin, another staple type 2 diabetes medication. Studies suggest that combining multiple medications may be more effective for managing type 2 diabetes than using one at a time (Bennett, 2011).

Ozempic for weight management

When does Saxenda stop working?
When does Saxenda stop working?

Does Saxenda stop working over time? Patients who took the medication were able to lose at least 5% of their body weight and keep it off for three...

Read More »
Why is my stomach so fat?
Why is my stomach so fat?

If you eat too much and exercise too little, you're likely to carry excess weight — including belly fat. Also, your muscle mass might diminish...

Read More »

Although the FDA hasn’t approved it for weight management, Ozempic may also help with weight loss. A recent study found that 86% of people who took Ozempic had at least a 5% reduction in total body weight (Wilding, 2021). Some providers may prescribe it off-label for this purpose.

Ozempic dosage

If prescribed Ozempic, you will give yourself a weekly subcutaneous injection (under the skin of the upper arm, thigh, or stomach) using a prefilled Ozempic pen. Healthcare providers start you on the smallest dose (0.25 mg) and slowly increase the dose until optimal blood sugar control is reached. The maximum dose of Ozempic is 2 mg (Pharmacy Times, 2022). While everyone is different and dosing will be customized to your needs, the medication guide explains that dosing typically follows this schedule (FDA, 2020): Injecting Ozempic on the same day and time each week is recommended to avoid missing a dose. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within five days of the missed dose. Skip the dose if more than five days have passed and resume with your next dose (FDA, 2020). New, unopened Ozempic pens need to be refrigerated. After your first use, it can be stored at room temperature (FDA, 2020).

What happens if you take too much Ozempic?

Ozempic is a long-acting medication that can cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if not taken exactly as prescribed. If you do take more than your prescribed dose, call your provider immediately and monitor for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which include (ADA, n.d.):

Headache

Dizziness

Nausea

Vomiting

Shaking

Sweating

General weakness

Feeling sleepy

Hunger

Blurred vision

Seizures

Confusion

The best way to know if your blood sugar is low is to check it using a glucometer. The gold standard for treating hypoglycemia is the “15-15 rule,” which includes consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates and waiting 15 minutes to see if blood sugar increases. If it does not improve, repeat the process by consuming another 15 grams of carbs. Suggested carbohydrates include (ADA, n.d.):

4 ounces of juice or regular soda (not diet)

What foods to avoid when taking Ozempic?
What foods to avoid when taking Ozempic?

Fried foods and fatty foods, such as fast food, and foods high in sugar tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and the most likely to...

Read More »
Is 4 lemons a day too much?
Is 4 lemons a day too much?

How much lemon water should you drink? Stephens recommends using the juice from two to three lemons (about four to six tablespoons) throughout the...

Read More »

Hard candies or jelly beans

Glucose tablets

Gel tubes

Call 911 If you have severe symptoms that are not improving with carbs.

Ozempic side effects

The most common side effects of Ozempic are mild and can be treated with over-the-counter symptom relievers. Common side effects of Ozempic include (FDA, 2020):

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Stomach pain

Constipation

Ozempic does come with a boxed warning issued by the FDA, meaning it has an increased risk of causing some serious side effects, including thyroid tumors and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Other potential serious side effects include (FDA, 2020):

Pancreatitis

Diabetic retinopathy (blood vessel damage in the eyes)

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Acute kidney disease

Inflammation of the gallbladder

Serious allergic reaction (shortness of breath)

Ozempic should not be used by people with a history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) (including a family history of these issues). It should also not be used by people who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional before breastfeeding while using Ozempic (FDA, 2020). When taking Ozempic with other diabetes medications (insulin and sulfonylurea), people can experience dangerously low blood sugar. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider of any other medications or dietary supplements you are taking, as these can affect how Ozempic works in the body (FDA, 2020).

Takeaways

Ozempic is a long-term medication used to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It is a once-weekly injection using a prefilled Ozempic pen. If you take too much Ozempic, you could develop severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In the event of an overdose, call your healthcare provider right away and monitor for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar using a glucometer. Call 911 if you have severe symptoms that are not improving with consuming carbohydrates.

What happens if I drink water everyday without eating?
What happens if I drink water everyday without eating?

Although water fasting may have some health benefits, it comes with many risks and dangers. For example, water fasting could make you prone to...

Read More »
Is egg good for weight loss?
Is egg good for weight loss?

Adding eggs to your diet may be one of the easiest things to do if you're trying to lose weight. They can make you feel more full and help you eat...

Read More »
What is the best vitamin to take for losing weight?
What is the best vitamin to take for losing weight?

4 popular weight loss vitamins include vitamin B, D, iron, and magnesium. Vitamin B. The primary function of vitamin B, specifically vitamin B12,...

Read More »
What clear alcohol has the least calories?
What clear alcohol has the least calories?

vodka The lowest-calorie alcohol is vodka, which only has 100 calories in a 50-millimeter shot. Other alcohols among those with the lowest calories...

Read More »