Consumer medicine information

Ozempic®


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.


 This medicine is new or being used differently. Please report side effects. See the full CMI for further details.

1. Why am I using Ozempic®?

Ozempic® contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Ozempic® is used to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Ozempic®? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use Ozempic®?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Ozempic®? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Ozempic® and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use Ozempic®?

  • Ozempic® is an injection that is used once a week.
  • When you first start using Ozempic®, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks, after four weeks you should increase your dose to 0.5 mg once a week. Your doctor may increase your dose to 1 mg.
  • Inject Ozempic® under the skin as shown to you by your doctor or diabetes education nurse.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Ozempic®? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while using Ozempic®?

Things you should do
  • Remind any doctor, dentist, pharmacist or diabetes education nurse you visit that you are using Ozempic®.
  • If you experience any of the symptoms of a hypo, immediately eat some sugary food or have a sugary drink, e.g. lollies, biscuits or fruit juice.
Things you should not do
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. If you stop using it, your blood sugar levels may increase.
  • Do not use this medicine if you think it has been frozen or exposed to excessive heat.
Driving or using machines
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) may affect your ability to concentrate. Avoid driving or using machines if you get any signs of low blood sugar, including dizziness.
Drinking alcohol
  • Alcohol may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia or make it worse.
Looking after your medicine
  • Before opening: store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Keep away from the cooling element. Do not freeze.
  • During use: you can keep it for 6 weeks either at room temperature (not above 30°C), or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C), away from the cooling element. Do not freeze.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Ozempic®? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

The most common side effects when using Ozempic® are diarrhoea and nausea. Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) which could cause severe pain in the stomach and back which does not go away, and allergic reaction (skin rashes over a large part of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, fast pulse, sweating), are very serious side effects for which you may need urgent medical attention.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

 This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

Ozempic®

Active ingredient(s): semaglutide


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Ozempic®. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Ozempic®.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using Ozempic®?
2. What should I know before I use Ozempic®?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Ozempic®?
5. What should I know while using Ozempic®?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
8. Instructions for use

1. Why am I using Ozempic®?

Ozempic® contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Ozempic® belongs to a group of medicines called ‘GLP-1 receptor agonists’ which help control how the pancreas works.

Ozempic® is an injection that is used once a week.

Ozempic® is used to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where your pancreas does not produce enough insulin to control the level of sugar in your blood or, your body is not able to use the insulin it makes properly.

Ozempic® helps your body to produce more insulin when your blood sugar level is high.

Ozempic® is used on its own if your blood sugar is not properly controlled by diet and exercise alone. Ozempic® is also able to be used with other medicines for diabetes when they are not enough to control your blood sugar levels. These medicines may include oral antidiabetics (such as metformin, thiazolidinedione medicines (TZD’s), sulfonylurea medicines, SGLT2 inhibitor medicines such as Jardiance®) or insulin.

It is important that you keep following any diet and lifestyle advice from your doctor, diabetes education nurse or pharmacist while using Ozempic®.

Ozempic® has not been studied in children and should not be used in children or adolescents under 18 years.

Ozempic® is not addictive.

2. What should I know before I use Ozempic®?

Warnings

Do not use Ozempic® if:

  • you are allergic to semaglutide, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
– redness, swelling, rash and itching at the injection site
– rash, itching or hives on the skin
– shortness of breath
– wheezing or difficulty breathing
– swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body.

  • it is after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
  • it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Check with your doctor if you:

  • have any other medical conditions including a history of diabetic retinopathy or pancreatitis.
  • are also taking a sulfonylurea (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide) or insulin. Your doctor may tell you to test your blood sugar levels. This will help your doctor to decide if the dose of the sulfonylurea or insulin needs to be changed to avoid you getting hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
  • take any medicines for any other condition.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant.

Ozempic® should not be used during pregnancy and for at least two months before a planned pregnancy because Ozempic® may harm your unborn child. If you could become pregnant while using Ozempic®, it is recommended to use contraception.

Do not use Ozempic® if you are breast-feeding. It is not known if Ozempic® passes into breast milk.

Type 1 diabetes/ketoacidosis

  • Ozempic® should not be used if you have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes that happens when the body is not able to break down glucose because there is not enough insulin). Ozempic® is not an insulin.

Acute pancreatitis

  • If you experience symptoms of acute pancreatitis, like persistent, severe abdominal pain, you should consult your doctor.

Dehydration

  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea when beginning treatment with Ozempic®
  • Dehydration can lead to kidney problems, particularly in patients who have pre-existing kidney disease
  • If you notice your urine changes appearance or you produce urine less frequently, see your doctor.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or diabetes education nurse if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take, any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket, naturopath or health food shop.

In particular, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are using medicines containing any of the following:

  • a sulfonylurea (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide)
  • insulin.

Combining these medicines with Ozempic® might increase the risk of getting low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia or a “hypo”). Please see section 6 for the warning signs of low blood sugar. Your doctor may tell you to test your blood sugar levels. This will help your doctor decide if the dose of the sulfonylurea or insulin needs to be changed to reduce the risk of low blood sugar.

Check with your doctor, pharmacist, or diabetes education nurse if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Ozempic®.

4. How do I use Ozempic®?

How much to use

Your doctor, diabetes education nurse or pharmacist will have given you advice on how to use your medicine.

Carefully follow all the directions.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor, diabetes education nurse or pharmacist for help.

Your doctor or diabetes education nurse will tell you how much of this medicine you need to use.

  • When you first start using Ozempic®, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for four weeks.
  • After four weeks you should increase your dose to 0.5 mg once a week. Talk to your doctor before increasing your dose.
  • Your doctor may increase your dose to 1 mg if your blood sugar is not controlled well enough with a dose of 0.5 mg once a week.
  • Follow the instructions provided and use Ozempic® until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to. Any change in dose should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
  • Do not stop using Ozempic® unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop using it, your blood sugar levels may increase.

When to use Ozempic®

  • You should use Ozempic® once a week on the same day each week if possible.
  • You can give yourself the injection at any time of the day – regardless of meals.
  • To help you remember to inject Ozempic® once a week only, it is recommended to note the chosen weekday (e.g. Wednesday) on the carton. You can also write the date on the carton every time you have injected Ozempic®.
  • If necessary, you can change the day of your weekly injection of Ozempic® as long as it has been at least 3 days since your last injection of Ozempic®.

How to use Ozempic®

  • Inject Ozempic® under the skin (subcutaneous injection) as shown to you by your doctor or diabetes education nurse. Never inject Ozempic® into a vein or muscle.
  • Ozempic® may be injected into the front of your waist (abdomen), the front of your thigh, or your upper arm.
  • Before you use the pen for the first time, your doctor or diabetes education nurse will show you how to use it.

Checking your Ozempic® pen:

Ozempic® should be clear and colourless, or almost colourless.

Do not use this medicine if it is thickened, coloured, or has solid bits in it.

Ozempic® should not be used if it has been frozen.

Read the instructions printed later in this leaflet carefully in order to prepare and handle your Ozempic® pen correctly.

If you forget to use Ozempic®

You should use Ozempic® once a week on the same day each week if possible.

If you forget a dose and:

  • it is 5 days or less since you should have used Ozempic®, use it as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.
  • it is more than 5 days since you should have used Ozempic®, skip the missed dose. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.

Do not take an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you use too much Ozempic®

If you use more Ozempic® than you should, you may get side effects such as feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), or diarrhoea.

If you think that you have used too much Ozempic®, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764766 in New Zealand), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using Ozempic®?

Things you should do

Make sure all your friends, relatives, workmates or carers know that you have diabetes.

Tell your doctor, diabetes education nurse or pharmacist if you are travelling.

Ask them for a letter explaining why you are taking injecting devices with you. Each country you visit will need to see this letter, so you should take several copies.

You may not be able to get Ozempic® in the country you are visiting.

Your doctor, diabetes education nurse or pharmacist can provide you with some helpful information.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Ozempic®.

Things you should not do

  • Do not stop using your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop using it, your blood sugar levels may increase.
  • Do not use this medicine if you think it has been frozen or exposed to excessive heat. It will not work as well.
  • Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
  • Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
  • Do not share your pen or needles with anyone else.

Hypoglycaemia

Tell your doctor if you often have hypos (low blood sugar levels). When Ozempic® is used with a sulfonylurea (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide) or with insulin, hypos can occur. The dose of your sulfonylurea or insulin may need to be reduced while you take Ozempic®.

If you experience any of the symptoms of a hypo, immediately eat some sugary food or have a sugary drink, e.g. lollies, biscuits or fruit juice.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Ozempic® affects you.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) may affect your ability to concentrate. Avoid driving or using machines if you get any signs of low blood sugar, including dizziness. See section 6 for the warning signs of low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor for further information.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Alcohol may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia or make it worse.

Looking after your medicine

Storage
Before opening:

Keep your unopened Ozempic® pens in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Keep away from the cooling element. Do not freeze.

During use:

While you are using your Ozempic® pen you can keep it for 6 weeks either at room temperature (not above 30°C), or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C), away from the cooling element. Do not freeze.

The medicine in Ozempic® must not be frozen or exposed to heat or direct sunlight.

When you are not using the pen, keep the pen cap on in order to protect from light.

Never use Ozempic® if the solution is not clear and colourless, or almost colourless.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

  • in the bathroom or near a sink, or
  • in the car or on window sills.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

When to discard your medicine

Discard the Ozempic® pen you are using after 6 weeks even if there is still some medicine left in it.

Dispose of used needles safely into a yellow plastic sharps container.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

The most common side effects when using Ozempic® are diarrhoea and nausea. These side effects are usually mild and normally decrease with continued use.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects What to do
General effects

  • decreased appetite
  • headache
  • vomiting (being sick)
  • indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • burping, wind (flatulence) or constipation
  • heartburn
  • painful or swollen stomach (abdomen)
  • weight loss
  • injection site reactions (such as bruising, pain, irritation, itching and rash)
  • a delay in the emptying of the stomach
  • fast heart beat
  • feeling tired
  • feeling dizzy
  • changes to your vision or eyesight
  • unpleasant, abnormal or altered taste sensation
  • increase in pancreas blood test results
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.
Hypoglycaemia

  • low blood sugar (a hypo).

Hypos are more likely to occur if you are also taking a sulfonylurea (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide) or insulin. A hypo may come on suddenly. The warning signs of a hypo can include:

  • cold sweat, cool pale skin
  • headache
  • feeling sick
  • feeling very hungry
  • changes in vision
  • feeling sleepy, feeling weak
  • feeling nervous or anxious, shaking (tremor), fast heart beat
  • feeling confused, difficulty concentrating.

Other effects

  • gallstones
  • inflamed gall bladder
  • dehydration.

When initiating treatment with Ozempic®, you may in some cases experience dehydration as a result of vomiting, nausea or diarrhoea. It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.

If you are already taking a sulfonylurea or insulin, your doctor may reduce the dose of these medicines before you start using Ozempic®.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects What to do
Acute pancreatitis:

  • Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) which could cause severe pain in the stomach and back which does not go away.

Allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions, angioedema):

  • skin rashes over a large part of the body
  • shortness of breath, wheezing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing
  • fast pulse
  • sweating.

Acute kidney injury:

  • passing water less often
  • swelling in legs, ankles, or feet
  • feeling sleepy
  • feeling short of breath
  • feeling very tired
  • feeling confused
  • feeling sick (nausea).

If you have any signs of sudden kidney failure, talk to a doctor straight away.

Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects in Australia

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

What Ozempic® contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
semaglutide
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
  • dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
  • propylene glycol
  • phenol
  • hydrochloric acid
  • sodium hydroxide
  • water for injections.
Potential allergens phenol

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What Ozempic® looks like

Ozempic® is supplied as a clear, colourless, or almost colourless solution for injection in a pre-filled pen. Each pen contains 3 mL of solution delivering only doses of 1 mg.

One mL solution for injection contains 1.34 mg semaglutide.

One pre-filled pen contains 4 mg semaglutide.

Ozempic® 1 mg/dose is available in a pack containing 1 pen and 4 disposable NovoFine® Plus needles (AUST R 315107).

Who distributes Ozempic®

Ozempic® is supplied in Australia by:

Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd.
Level 10
118 Mount Street
North Sydney NSW 2060

Ozempic® is supplied in New Zealand by:

Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
PO Box 51-268
Pakuranga
Auckland
New Zealand.

Ozempic® and NovoFine® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Jardiance® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH.

© 2023
Novo Nordisk A/S

Further information

For further information call Novo Nordisk Customer Care on 1800 668 626 (Australia) or 0800 733 737 (New Zealand).

www.novonordisk.com.au

www.novonordisk.co.nz

You can also get more information about diabetes from Diabetes Australia:
freecall helpline 1300 136 588
www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

Diabetes New Zealand:

Always check the following websites to ensure you are reading the most recent version of the Ozempic® consumer medicine information:
www.novonordisk.com.au
https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/
www.novonordisk.co.nz (NZ)
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/medicines/infosearch.asp (NZ)

This leaflet was prepared in October 2023.

8. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Please read these instructions carefully before using your Ozempic® pre-filled pen.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about how to inject Ozempic® correctly.

Start by checking your pen to make sure that it contains Ozempic® 1 mg/dose, then look at the illustrations below to get to know the different parts of your pen and needle.

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

Your pen is a pre-filled dial-a-dose pen. It contains 4 mg of semaglutide, and you can only select doses of 1 mg.

One unused pen contains four doses of 1mg.

Use the table inside the lid of the carton to keep track of how many injections you have taken and when you took the injections.

Your pen is designed to be used with NovoFine® disposable needles up to a length of 8 mm.

NovoFine® Plus needles are included in the pack.

ii1303401  Important information

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

1. Prepare your pen with a new needle

Check the name and coloured label of your pen to make sure that it contains Ozempic® 1 mg/dose. This is especially important if you take more than one type of injectable medicine. Using the wrong medicine could be harmful to your health.

Pull off the pen cap.

Check that the solution in your pen is clear and colourless. Look through the pen window. If the solution looks cloudy or coloured, do not use the pen.

Take a new needle. Check the paper tab and the outer needle cap for damage that could affect sterility. If any damage is seen, use a new needle.

Tear off the paper tab.

Make sure to attach the needle correctly.

Push the needle straight onto the pen. Turn until it is on tight.

The needle is covered by two caps. You must remove both caps. If you forget to remove both caps, you will not inject any solution.

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

Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away. If you try to put it back on, you may accidentally stick yourself with the needle.

A drop of solution may appear at the needle tip. This is normal, but you must still check the flow, if you use a new pen for the first time. See step 2 ‘Check the flow with each new pen’.

Do not attach a new needle to your pen until you are ready to take your injection.

ii1303401  Always use a new needle for each injection.

This may prevent blocked needles, contamination, infection and inaccurate dosing.

ii1303401  Never use a bent or damaged needle.

2. Check the flow with each new pen

If your pen is already in use, go to step 3 ‘Select your dose’. Only check the flow before your first injection with each new pen.

Turn the dose selector to the flow check symbol (ii1303402) right past ‘0’. Make sure the flow check symbol lines up with the pointer.

Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must line up with the dose pointer.

A drop of solution should appear at the needle tip.

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

If no drop appears, repeat step 2 ‘Check the flow with each new pen’ up to 6 times. If there is still no drop, change the needle and repeat step 2 ‘Check the flow with each new pen’ once more.

Dispose of the pen and use a new one if a drop of solution still does not appear.

ii1303401  Always make sure that a drop appears at the needle tip before you use a new pen for the first time. This makes sure that the solution flows.

If no drop appears, you will not inject any medicine even though the dose counter may move. This may indicate a blocked or damaged needle.

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

3. Select your dose

Turn the dose selector to select 1 mg.

Keep turning until the dose counter stops and shows 1 mg.

Only the dose counter and dose pointer will show 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 stops before 1 is shown.

The dose selector clicks differently when turned forwards, backwards or past 1 mg. Do not count the pen clicks.

ii1303401  Always use the dose counter and the dose pointer to see that 1 mg has been selected before injecting this medicine.

Do not count the pen clicks.

Only doses of 1 mg must be selected with the dose selector. 1 mg must line up precisely with the dose pointer to ensure that you get a correct dose.

How much solution is left

To see how much solution is left, use the dose counter: Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops.

If it shows 1, at least 1 mg is left in your pen.

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

ii1303401  If there is not enough solution left in your pen for a full dose, do not use it. Use a new Ozempic® pen.

4. Inject your dose

Insert the needle into your skin as your doctor or nurse has shown you.

Make sure you can see the dose counter.

Do not cover it with your fingers. This could interrupt the injection.

Press and hold down the dose button. Watch as the dose counter returns to ‘0’. The ‘0’ must line up with the dose pointer.

You may then hear or feel a click.

Continue pressing the dose button while keeping the needle in your skin.

Count slowly to 6, while keeping the dose button pressed.

If the needle is removed earlier, you may see a stream of solution coming from the needle tip. If so, the full dose will not be delivered.

Remove the needle from your skin. You can then release the dose button. If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly.

You may see a drop of solution at the needle tip after injecting. This is normal and does not affect your dose.

ii1303401  Always watch the dose counter to know how many mg you inject. Hold the dose button down until the dose counter shows ‘0’.

How to identify a blocked or damaged needle

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

How to handle a blocked needle

Change the needle as described in step 5 ‘After your injection’ and repeat all steps starting with step 1 ‘Prepare your pen with a new needle’. Make sure that you select the full dose you need.

Never touch the dose counter when you inject. This can interrupt the injection.

5. After your injection

Always dispose of the needle after each injection to ensure convenient injections and prevent blocked needles. If the needle is blocked, you will not inject any medicine.

Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface without touching the needle or the outer needle cap.

Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on.

Unscrew the needle and dispose of it carefully as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect the solution from light.

When the pen is empty, throw it away without a needle on as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

ii1303401  Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. You may stick yourself with the needle.

ii1303401  Always remove the needle from your pen immediately after each injection.

This may prevent blocked needles, contamination, infection, leakage of solution and inaccurate dosing.

ii1303401  Further important information

  • Always keep your pen and needles out of the sight and reach of others, especially children.
  • Never share your pen or your needles with other people.
  • Caregivers must be very careful when handling used needles to prevent needle injury and cross-infection.

Caring for your pen

Treat your pen with care. Rough handling or misuse may cause inaccurate dosing. If this happens you might not get the intended effect of this medicine.

  • Do not leave the pen in a car or another place where it can get too hot or too cold.
  • Do not inject Ozempic® which has been frozen. If you do that, you might not get the intended effect of this medicine.
  • Do not inject Ozempic® which has been exposed to direct sunlight. If you do that, you might not get the intended effect of this medicine.
  • Do not expose your pen to dust, dirt or liquid.
  • Do not wash, soak or lubricate your pen. It may be cleaned with a mild detergent on a moistened cloth.
  • Do not drop your pen or knock it against hard surfaces. If you drop it or suspect a problem, attach a new needle and check the flow before you inject.
  • Do not try to refill your pen. Once empty, it must be disposed of.
  • Do not try to repair your pen or pull it apart.

Published by MIMS December 2023