Ozempic® Medication Guide

June 4, 2023
HOW IT WORKS

How Ozempic® Works

Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) medication which can assist with weight-loss by doing the following:
  • Increasing insulin production from the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body process glucose (blood sugar) into energy.
  • Decreasing glucagon release after a meal. Glucagon triggers your liver to store fat.
  • Glucagon triggers your liver to store fat.
  • Slowing gastric emptying during digestion, which will make you feel less hungry.

Dosing and Storage Instructions

See instructions

How To Store Your Ozempic® Pen

  • Store your new, unused Ozempic® pens in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F. Each pen contains multiple doses based on your individual prescription.
  • Once you have used your pen, you may store it for up to 8 weeks at room temperature (between 59ºF to 86ºF) or in a refrigerator (between 36°F to 46°F).
  • You can travel with your pen as long as you use it within 8 weeks.
  • Dispose of your pens in a heavy-duty plastic storage container or an FDA-approved sharps container. The pen is not recyclable.

What If I Miss a Dose of Ozempic®? 

  • If you miss a dose of Ozempic®, please take the dose within 48 hours of when you were originally supposed to take your scheduled dose.  
  • If it has been more than 9 days since you missed your last dose and you are taking a dose higher than 0.25mg (the starting dose), it is recommended that you temporarily decrease your dose to the starting dose of 0.25mg, to lessen the risk of  significant side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

When Should I Stop Taking Ozempic®?

  • At the beginning of the Sunrise program, you communicate your goal weight to your Sunrise physician. If you achieve your goal weight or achieve a body mass index (BMI) less than 27, message your doctor. Your doctor may recommend you transition to a maintenance dose to maintain your weight loss.
  • If you believe you may have a BMI less than 30, please proactively communicate with your doctor every month regarding your current weight because it may inform the dosage for future prescriptions.

Refilling Your Prescription &
Communicating with Your Sunrise Physician

How To Refill Your Ozempic® Prescription

For the initial four to six months of the Sunrise program, refilling your Ozempic® prescription requires a monthly check-in with your Sunrise physician. During this check-in, your physician will evaluate your weight-loss progress and determine whether it is safe to prescribe a higher dose of Ozempic®.

The goal of the monthly check-in with your physician is to determine the proper dose of Ozempic® which will optimize your weight-loss progress while minimizing side effects. 

Every month, we will reach out to via email during Week 3 to initiate your check-in with your physician. You can also initiate a checkin via the Sunrise refill page.

When You Should Message Your Sunrise Physician

You are able to message your physician at any time through the Sunrise messaging portal. In addition, below are specific times you should reach out to your Sunrise physician:

  • If you have not taken a dose of medication in the last 10 days.
  • Any time you experience severe side effects.
  • Any time you have been hospitalized with other medical conditions, or started new medications.
  • Any time your BMI is less than 27.

Additional Ozempic® FAQs

What Are Common Side Effects of Ozempic®?

Please message your Sunrise physician if you are experiencing any adverse symptoms. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you feel like you are experiencing a medical emergency.

  • Common side effects of Ozempic® include diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. 
  • Click here for the full list Ozempic® of side effects.
  • Because nausea is most common in customers beginning treatment with Ozempic® you will be prescribed generic Zofran (ondansetron) to help alleviate nausea, which will be available at your local pharmacy with your Ozempic™ prescription. ONLY take this medication if you have significant nausea.

Who Should Not Take Ozempic®?

Your Sunrise physician evaluated your health history prior to writing your initial prescription based on the medical intake form you filled out when signing up for Sunrise. As a result, some patients may not be eligible to take Ozempic®. If you develop any of these conditions after starting your prescription, please stop using Ozempic® and reach out to your Sunrise physician right away.

  • Family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer
  • Family of personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2 (MEN-2) syndrome
  • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next two months
  • Currently breastfeeding
  • Retinopathies (diseases of the retina)
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Serious gastrointestinal disorders (Severe GERD/hiatal hernia/Crohn's diagnosis/ulcerative colitis)
  • Recent bariatric surgery (within past 6 months)
  • Pancreatitis using GLP-1s in the past or patients with chronic pancreatitis
  • Drug use disorder
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Disordered eating
  • Gallbladder disease (does not include gallbladder removal)

Warning: Ozempic® may cause worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, intestinal blockage, or thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as mood changes, abdominal pain, swelling in the neck, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, and shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.

Additional Online Resources

Last Updated: 06/04/2023

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