Key takeaways
- Ozempic is prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s given as an injection under the skin once per week.
- The recommended starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 milligrams (mg) injected once per week. After 4 weeks, dosage may be increased to 0.5 mg injected once per week.
- Depending on your specific needs, your doctor may increase your Ozempic dose further after you’ve taken your current dosage for at least 4 weeks.
- The maximum recommended Ozempic dosage is 2 mg injected once per week.
Ozempic is an injectable medication prescribed for these indications in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D):
- to reduce and manage blood sugar levels in people with T2D
- to reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in people with T2D and heart disease
- to reduce risk of advancing kidney disease or cardiovascular death in people with T2D and chronic kidney disease)
Ozempic images
Ozempic is dosed by injection under the skin once per week.
Your doctor will prescribe a low starting dosage of Ozempic and increase it over time to arrive at an ongoing (maintenance) dosage.
- Typical Ozempic starting dosage: 0.25 milligrams (mg) injected once per week for 4 weeks.
- Typical Ozempic maintenance dosage: 0.5 mg injected once per week, beginning on week 5.
Depending on your specific needs, your doctor may increase your Ozempic doses beyond 0.5 mg to reach your maintenance dosage. When needed, dosage increases are made after you’ve taken your current Ozempic dosage for at least 4 weeks.
The maximum recommended dosage of Ozempic is 2 mg injected once per week.
Note: Different people respond to medications differently. Be sure to adhere to the dosage your doctor prescribes specifically for you. If you are unsure about how much Ozempic to take, contact your doctor or pharmacist to confirm your current Ozempic dosage.
Ozempic form
Ozempic comes as a liquid solution in prefilled disposable pens that you use to inject the drug under your skin.
Each Ozempic dose is given via a weekly injection. The number of doses available per pen depends on the Ozempic dosage your doctor recommends and whether you’re taking a short-term starting dose or a long-term maintenance dose.
Ozempic strengths
Ozempic is available in three different prefilled pens, based on the strength of the doses they provide:
| Pen label color | Dose given per injection | Number of doses per pen |
|---|---|---|
| red | 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg | four 0.25-mg doses and two 0.5-mg doses OR four 0.5-mg doses |
| blue | 1 mg | four 1-mg doses |
| yellow | 2 mg | four 2-mg doses |
Note: To avoid serious infections, never share your Ozempic pens with others.
Ozempic comes in prefilled disposable injection pens. Your doctor will show you how to use Ozempic pens and how to inject the drug under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
After this, you’ll self-inject doses of Ozempic at home. (Injections in your upper arm should be given by someone else who is trained to do so.)
Here are a few tips for helping make sure your Ozempic injections are safe and go smoothly:
- Read the instructions on how to give yourself the dose.
- Collect your supplies (pen, needle, alcohol swab, gauze, needle disposal container).
- Wash your hands before your injection.
- Check that you’ve clicked the correct dose on the pen, which may be 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg.
- Use a new needle for each dose. (Each pen can deliver several weekly doses.)
- Rotate your injection site (change where you inject the drug each time) to avoid pain and risk of infection.
Additional instructions for use (including illustrations) can be found in Ozempic’s prescribing information.
If you have remaining questions about how to use Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
When should I use Ozempic?
You’ll inject Ozempic once per week, usually on the same day each week. You can give yourself Ozempic injections at any time of the day.
The dosage of Ozempic you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the condition you’re receiving the drug for
- how severe your condition is
- other health conditions you may have
- other medications you take, as well as herbs, supplements, and foods (for example, bitter melon or cinnamon)
- you experience changes in your blood sugar levels
After you’ve reached your maintenance dosage of Ozempic, your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if:
- You take certain medications, supplements, or herbs that may affect how well Ozempic works. Before starting Ozempic treatment and during routine follow-up visits, tell your doctor about any medications you take. Your doctor may adjust your Ozempic dosage if they interact with Ozempic.
- You notice changes in your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels while you are using Ozempic and adjust your dosage if needed.
- You have an upcoming surgery. Make sure your doctor knows you’re using Ozempic. They can help prepare for your procedure and determine whether you need to adjust your dosage.
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Ozempic is not a weight loss drug and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss.
But if you’re using Ozempic with a balanced diet and exercise as part of your diabetes management plan, you might lose weight.
In some cases, Ozempic may be used off-label for weight loss. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than its FDA-approved indications. To learn more about this, talk with your doctor.
Ozempic doses of 0.5 mg can be administered with the 2-mg Ozempic pen that has a red label. This pen can deliver four 0.5-mg doses. Use a fresh needle for each dose.
Ozempic is not a weight loss drug and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss.
That said, Ozempic sometimes is used off label for weight loss at your doctor’s discretion.
The maximum recommended dose of Ozempic for its FDA-approved indications is 2 milligrams (mg), and an Ozempic pen is available for this dosing. So, if your doctor chooses to prescribe Ozempic off label for weight loss, a 2-mg dose may be possible.
For more details, talk with your doctor. There may be other medications that are FDA approved for weight loss that may be a better choice for you.
No. The maximum recommended dose of Ozempic is 2.0 mg. And there is no Ozempic pen capable of delivering a single 2.4-mg dose.
Yes, Ozempic is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ozempic is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.
If you miss a dose of Ozempic and you are still within 5 days of the day you were scheduled to take it, take the missed dose immediately. But if more than 5 days have gone by, skip the missed dose and give yourself your next Ozempic injection on its regularly scheduled dosing day.
In either case, resume your regular once-weekly dosing schedule.
Store new, unused Ozempic pens in your refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Discard unused Ozempic pens when they are beyond the expiration date on the package.
After your first use of an Ozempic pen, you can store it one of two ways:
- at room temperature between 59ºF to 86ºF (15ºC to 30ºC), or
- refrigerated at the same temperature you store unused pens
Used Ozempic pens that still have doses of the drug in them should be discarded within 56 days of their first use. Always replace the cap on Ozempic pens between uses.
Discard unused Ozempic pens that are beyond their expiration date and used pens (whether empty or with Ozempic still in them that were first used at least 56 days ago), and Ozempic needles, in one of two ways:
- in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container immediately after use
- in a household container made of a heavy-duty plastic that has a puncture-resistant lid that can be tightly closed
If you have additional questions about discarding Ozempic pens and needles, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Not yet. But it’s coming.
In early February 2026, Novo Nordisk (the manufacturer of Ozempic) announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s new pill form of Ozempic for adults with type 2 diabetes.
The Ozempic oral tablets are expected to be available in the United States in the second quarter (Q2)of 2026.
For the latest status of the Ozempic pill in the U.S., talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not use more Ozempic than your doctor prescribes. Using too much Ozempic can lead to serious side effects including severe low blood sugar.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- dizziness
- headache
- shaking
- mood changes
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Ozempic. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
Ozempic is a prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes that’s given as an injection under the skin once per week.
The recommended starting dosage of Ozempic is 0.25 milligrams (mg) injected once per week. After 4 weeks, dosage is increased to 0.5 mg injected once per week. Depending on your specific needs, your doctor may increase your Ozempic dose further to reach a maintenance dosage not to exceed 2 mg injected once per week.
A pill for of Ozempic was approved by the FDA in early 2026 and is expected t be available in the United States in Q2 2026.
This is a summary article for general information purposes. For more details about Ozempic, see its latest prescribing information or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.