How do you know when your Ozempic pen is empty?

Ozempic is a brand-name glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 receptor agonist) that contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a medication that is FDA-approved to help you control your blood sugar levels if you have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death if you have T2DM and heart disease. Although not approved Ozempic is used off-label for weight loss or chronic weight management as well.

Keeping track of how much Ozempic you have left is straightforward. Ozempic pens have built-in dose counters and windows to help you know when your pen is empty. Knowing when your pen is empty is important for effective blood sugar control. If your pen runs out, you will not get the right dose of medicine, which can lead to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

Keep reading as we talk about how to use Ozempic, how to spot the signs of an empty pen, and what to do with an empty pen.

How to use your Ozempic pen

You should inject Ozempic once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day. It can be injected under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or back of the upper arm. You should not give a dose of Ozempic before your healthcare provider shows you how to use the pen.

Prepare your Ozempic injection

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Gather supplies such as a pen needle, an alcohol swab, a cotton ball or gauze pad, and a sharps container.
• Remove the pen cap.
• Check the medication in the pen. It should be clear and not contain any particles.
• Get a new needle and attach it to the pen. Your pen is designed to be used with NovoFine Plus needles up to a length of 8 mm.
• Pull off the outer needle cap. Do not discard it.
• Pull off the inner needle cap and discard it. You may see a drop of medication at the tip of the needle.

Check the flow of medication

When it is your first time using a new Ozempic pen, you should check the flow of medicine.

• Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol.
• Hold the pen with the needle pointing up, with your thumb on the bottom and the pen between your fingers.
• Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter displays zero. A drop of Ozempic should be at the needle tip. If there is not one, you should repeat this up to six times. If no drop appears, change the needle and then do this step one more time. If a drop still doesn’t appear, get a new pen and contact Novo Nordisk, at 1-888-693-6742.

Select your dose of Ozempic

• Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops at the prescribed dose.
• The dose will line up with the dose pointer.

Inject your dose

• Choose an injection site, which can be your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. You should rotate injection sites with each dose of Ozempic. Clean the site with an alcohol swab and let it dry.
• Insert the needle into your skin.
• Hold down the dose button until the dose counter shows zero. If it does not show zero, it may mean the needle is damaged or blocked. In this case, change the needle and give another dose.
• Keep the needle inserted and count to 6 before removing it. Removing it too soon can keep you from getting the full dose.

After giving an injection

• After giving a dose of Ozempic, remove the pen needle and put it in a sharps container.
• Place the cap back on the pen after using it. Then store the pen for up to 56 days at room temperature (59°F to 86°F) or in a refrigerator. Unused Ozempic pens may be used until the expiration date printed on the label if kept in the refrigerator.

What are the signs of an empty Ozempic pen?

The easiest way to tell if your Ozempic pen is empty is to remove the cap and check the window on the side of the pen. If you cannot see any liquid in the window, then your pen is empty.

The dose selector is also helpful to tell how much medication is left in your pen. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops. If the dose counter stops before your prescribed dose, there is not enough medication left for a full dose. Also, a clicking sound instead of usual pressure can indicate no medication left.

How do you dispose of your Ozempic pen?

Dispose of empty or expired pens in an approved sharps container, following local guidelines.

How many doses are in your Ozempic pen?

Typically, the first Ozempic pen delivers four 0.25-mg doses and two 0.5-mg doses. Subsequent pens contain four doses each.

What are the common side effects of Ozempic?

Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, and others. Serious side effects include pancreatitis, kidney failure, gallbladder issues, and thyroid tumors. Talk to your healthcare provider for advice.

Sources

• Mahapatra MK, et al. (2022).
• Ozempic (semaglutide) injection. [Package Insert]. Novo Nordisk.
• Semaglutide (Rx). Medscape.
• Semaglutide. PDR.
• Using Your Ozempic Pen. Novo Nordisk.