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Semaglutide Usage and Storage Methods

Semaglutide Usage and Storage Methods

Release Time: 2024-08-28

News Source: SenovaTech

Author: SENOVA—Lucas

Semagultide is marketed as a subcutaneous formulation of the prescription drug Ozempic (type 2 diabetes), the over-the-counter drug Wegovy (obesity), and the oral tablet Rybelsus.


Ozempic injection is used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients, along with diet and exercise. It is also used for diabetic patients who already have cardiovascular disease, to help lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke. Ozempic is given as a subcutaneous injection weekly. 

Wegovy injection is used for weight loss in certain patients and is also used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in specific adults. Wegovy is given as a subcutaneous injection weekly.

Rybelsus tablets are used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients along with diet and exercise and are taken as a tablet once a day.


Ozempic Dosing Information

Ozempic Recommended Dosage

  • Start Ozempic with a 0.25 mg subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin) once weekly for 4 weeks. The 0.25 mg dosage is intended for treatment initiation and is not effective for glycemic control.

  • After 4 weeks on the 0.25 mg dosage, increase the dosage to 0.5 mg once weekly.

  • If additional glycemic control is needed after at least 4 weeks on the 0.5 mg dosage, the dosage may be increased to 1 mg once weekly.

  • If additional glycemic control is needed after at least 4 weeks on the 1 mg dosage, the dosage may be increased to 2 mg once weekly. The maximum recommended dosage is 2 mg once weekly.

  • Administer Ozempic once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of the day, with or without meals.

  • The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary as long as the time between two doses is at least 2 days (>48 hours).

  • If a dose is missed, administer Ozempic as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day. In each case, patients can then resume their regular once-weekly dosing schedule.

Ozempic is available as:

Ozempic injection 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose pen. 

  • Pen can deliver 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg doses.

  • 2mg/1.5mL (1.34mg/mL)

  • Each 1.5 ml pen contains 8 doses of 0.25mg or 4 doses of 0.5mg.

Ozempic injection 1 mg dose pen.

  • Pen delivers a 1mg dose.

  • 4mg/3mL (1.34mg/mL)

  • Each 3ml pen contains 4 doses.

Ozempic injection 2mg dose pen.

  • Pen delivers a 2mg dose.

  • 8mg/3mL (2.68 mg/mL)

  • Each 3ml pen contains 4 doses.

Semaglutide Usage and Storage Methods(图1)

Wegovy Dosing Information

Wegovy Recommended Dosage

Initiate Wegovy with a dose of 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously once-weekly and follow the dose escalation schedule below to minimize gastrointestinal adverse reactions

  • Week 1 to week 4: 0.25mg weekly

  • Week 5 to week 8: 0.5mg weekly

  • Week 9 to week 12: 1mg weekly

  • Week 13 to week 16: 1.7mg weekly 

  • Week 17 onwards: 2.4mg weekly

If patients do not tolerate a dose during dose escalation, consider delaying dose escalation for 4 weeks
The maintenance dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg injected subcutaneously once-weekly.
If patients do not tolerate the maintenance 2.4 mg once-weekly dose, the dose can be temporarily decreased to 1.7 mg once-weekly, for a maximum of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, increase Wegovy to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once-weekly.
Discontinue Wegovy if the patient cannot tolerate the 2.4 mg dose.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose prior to starting Wegovy and during Wegovy treatment.

Wegovy Strengths available:

  • Wegovy 0.25 mg pen delivers one 0.25 mg dose (0.25 mg/0.5 mL)

  • Wegovy 0.5 mg pen delivers one  0.5 mg dose (0.5 mg / 0.5      mL)

  • Wegovy 1 mg pen delivers one 1 mg  dose (1 mg / 0.5 mL)

  • Wegovy 1.7 mg pen delivers one 1.7 mg dose (1.7 mg / 0.75 mL)

  • Wegovy 2.4 mg pen delivers one 2.4 mg dose (2.4 mg / 0.75 mL)

Semaglutide Usage and Storage Methods(图2)

Rybelsus Dosing Information

Take Rybelsus at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or other oral medications of the day with no more than 4 ounces of plain water only. After 30 minutes of taking the tablet you may eat, drink or take other oral medicines. Swallow tablets whole. Do not split, crush, or chew tablets.

Rybelsus Recommended Dosage

  • Start Rybelsus with 3 mg once daily for 30 days. The 3 mg dose is intended for treatment initiation and is not effective for glycemic control.

  • After 30 days on the 3 mg dose, increase the dose to 7 mg once daily.

  • Dose may be increased to 14 mg once daily if additional glycemic control is needed after at least 30 days on the 7 mg dose.

  • Taking two 7 mg Rybelsus tablets to achieve a 14 mg dose is not recommended.

  • If a dose is missed, the missed dose should be skipped, and the next dose should be taken the following day.

Rybelsus tablets strengths are available in 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg

Switching Patients between Ozempic and Rybelsus

  • Patients treated with Rybelsus 14 mg daily can be transitioned to Ozempic subcutaneous injection 0.5 mg once weekly. Patients can start Ozempic the day after their last dose of Rybelsus.

  • Patients treated with once weekly Ozempic 0.5 mg subcutaneous injection can be transitioned to Rybelsus 7 mg or 14 mg. Patients can start Rybelsus up to 7 days after their last injection of Ozempic. There is no equivalent dose of Rybelsus for Ozempic 1 mg.


Active ingredient: semaglutide

Inactive ingredients:

Ozempic: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injections. Ozempic has a pH of approximately 7.4. Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH.

Wegovy: disodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection.

Rybelsus: magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone and salcaprozate sodium (SNAC).

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Storage

Ozempic

Prior to first use, Ozempic should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). Do not store in the freezer or directly adjacent to the refrigerator cooling element. Do not freeze Ozempic and do not use Ozempic if it has been frozen.After first use of the Ozempic pen, the pen can be stored for 56 days at controlled room temperature (59°F to 86°F; 15°C to 30°C) or in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F; 2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.Keep the pen cap on when not in use. Ozempic should be protected from excessive heat and sunlight.Always remove and safely discard the needle after each injection and store the Ozempic pen without an injection needle attached. Always use a new needle for each injection.

Wegovy

Store the single-dose pen in the refrigerator from 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). If needed, prior to cap removal, the pen can be kept from 8°C to 30°C (46°F to 86°F) for up to 28 days. Do not freeze. Protect Wegovy from light. Wegovy must be kept in the original carton until time of administration. Discard the Wegovy pen after use.

Rybelsus

Store at 68° to 77°F (20 to 25°C); excursions permitted to 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Store and dispense in the original bottle.Store tablets in the original bottle until used to protect tablets from moisture. Store this medicine in a dry place away from moisture.

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