Ozempic Injection

Active Ingredient: Semaglutide

Effects, Usage, Side Effects, and Frequently Asked Questions About Ozempic

dr nicolette lammers the body clinic

This page has been reviewed by
Dr. Nicolette Lammers.

ozempic anwendung im rahmen der behandlung the body clinic

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is an injectable medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, which is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists and is injected under the skin once a week using a pre-filled pen. The active ingredient supports blood sugar regulation, influences hunger and satiety, and may also affect weight when used under medical supervision.

If you would like a medical assessment, you can get advice at our locations or nationwide online via video consultation. You can read more about the medical classification in our article GLP-1 agonists and off-label use.

Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Who is Ozempic suitable for?

    Ozempic is intended for adults with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not yet adequately controlled with diet, exercise, and, where applicable, previous medication. It can be used on its own when certain other active ingredients are not suitable, or as an addition to an existing diabetes treatment.

    Whether Ozempic is medically appropriate always depends on the individual situation. This includes existing medical conditions, concurrent medications, tolerability, and the question of which treatment goals are the priority.

    What is Ozempic approved for?

    Ozempic is approved for the treatment of insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes in adults. The medication is used in addition to diet and exercise. This classification is important because Ozempic is not primarily approved as a medication for weight loss.

    • as monotherapy when other active ingredients are not appropriate
    • or in combination with other medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

    How does Ozempic work?

    Ozempic contains semaglutide. The active ingredient activates GLP-1 receptors and thereby supports insulin secretion when blood sugar levels are elevated. At the same time, glucagon release is reduced and gastric emptying is slowed down. Many patients also report a longer-lasting feeling of fullness as a result.

    How much blood sugar, appetite, and weight change during treatment varies from person to person. In everyday life, diet, exercise, and structured support also play an important role. You can read more in our article Weight loss injections and blood sugar: stabilizing diet.

    How is Ozempic used?

    Ozempic is injected subcutaneously, meaning under the skin, once a week. Suitable injection sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The injection should ideally be given on the same day each week. Before using it for the first time, patients should be shown exactly how to use the pen correctly.

    Important: The dosage is always determined by a doctor. It should not be started, changed, or increased independently. Treatment usually begins with a low dose, which can later be adjusted by a doctor to balance effectiveness and tolerability.

    Where do you inject Ozempic?

    The injection is given under the skin in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. To avoid skin irritation, injection sites should be rotated regularly. Anyone who would like to read the instructions for use and official guidance in more detail can find them on our page Ozempic package leaflet.

    Your Journey to Sustainable Weight Loss Starts Here.

    Check your eligibility

    Who developed Ozempic?

    Manufacturer

    Ozempic is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. The medication contains semaglutide and belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which play an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

    Availability

    Ozempic is prescription-only in Germany and available through pharmacies. Before it is prescribed, a doctor should always assess whether the treatment is appropriate for the individual medical situation and how it can be safely supervised.

    Where can I buy Ozempic?

    Ozempic is not available over the counter. The medication is prescription-only and may only be dispensed following a medical diagnosis, counselling, and treatment decision. Before starting treatment, it should always be clarified which other medications are being taken and which treatment goals are being pursued.

    What are the possible side effects?

    The most common side effects mainly include gastrointestinal symptoms. These occur especially at the beginning of treatment or after a dose increase.

    • Nausea
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
    • Constipation
    • Abdominal pain
    • Reduced appetite

    When used together with insulin or certain other diabetes medications, the risk of low blood sugar may also increase. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea can lead to fluid loss. This is why it is particularly important to have symptoms assessed by a doctor early on, especially if kidney problems already exist.

    A more detailed overview with warning signs, classification, and practical guidance can be found on our page about Ozempic side effects. Our article Treatment process and side effects before starting may also be helpful.

    Immediate medical advice is important in the case of severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, signs of an allergic reaction, noticeable low blood sugar episodes, or newly occurring visual disturbances.

    Pregnancy, breastfeeding, alcohol, and interactions

    Ozempic must not be used during pregnancy. If a pregnancy is planned, the medication should be stopped in good time and only in coordination with a doctor. Semaglutide is also not recommended during breastfeeding.

    Because Ozempic delays gastric emptying, it can also affect the absorption of other oral medications. Medical advice is especially important if there is existing diabetes medication, insulin use, treatment with sulfonylureas, or a history of gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis, or relevant diabetic eye problems.

    Alcohol should also not be viewed uncritically. It can worsen gastrointestinal side effects and make blood sugar control more difficult. A practical everyday classification can be found in our article Semaglutide and alcohol.

    Ozempic treatment in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, or online.

    Our Locations

    How does Ozempic differ from other medications?

    The most important difference lies not only in the active ingredient, but above all in the approval and treatment goal. Ozempic is intended for type 2 diabetes. Other medications may have a different primary indication, a different dosage form, or a different mechanism of action. If you would like to compare the differences in more detail, you can read our dedicated articles such as Mounjaro vs. Ozempic and Wegovy vs. Ozempic. Depending on the medical situation, other treatment options may also include Saxenda, Rybelsus, or Mysimba.

    Is Ozempic covered by health insurance?

    Whether the costs are covered depends on the medical indication, the prescription, and the individual requirements. General statements are not helpful here. If you would like to learn more in advance about organizational and financial aspects, you can find an overview on our page Prices for our weight loss programmes.

    How can I stop taking Ozempic?

    Ozempic should not be stopped independently or abruptly without medical advice. Since the medication is used to treat type 2 diabetes, it must always be considered how blood sugar control will be maintained afterwards. Whether the treatment is stopped, changed, or adjusted is decided by the treating doctor based on the overall medical picture. If you would like to learn more in advance about processes, support, and patient experiences, you can find further insights on our page Experiences with The Body Clinic. You can also find a general overview of our medically supervised programmes under medical weight loss.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Ozempic

    The cost of Ozempic depends on the prescribed dosage, the pack size, and the pharmacy. Since it is a prescription-only medication, treatment should not be assessed based on price, but on medical suitability. You can find an overview of our programmes on The Body Clinic’s pricing page.
    Ozempic is approved for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. During treatment, it may also lead to weight loss because the active ingredient semaglutide influences feelings of fullness and slows gastric emptying, among other effects. How much weight changes varies from person to person.
    This cannot be predicted in general terms. Possible weight loss depends on the individual starting point, the dosage, diet, exercise, and the duration of treatment. Ozempic should always be used as part of medically supervised treatment.
    In Germany, Ozempic is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It is not specifically approved as a medication for weight loss. For people with obesity or overweight, a different medication may be more appropriate depending on the medical situation.
    Both medications contain semaglutide. The key difference lies in their approval and intended use. Ozempic is aimed at type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is specifically approved for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight with related medical conditions.
    Ozempic is injected under the skin once a week using a pre-filled pen. Suitable injection sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The exact dosage and every dose adjustment are always determined by a doctor.
    If a dose has been missed, it should not be improvised or doubled independently. What matters is how much time has passed since the planned injection time. The doctor’s instructions and the guidance in the package leaflet are decisive.
    More common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and reduced appetite. These symptoms occur especially at the beginning of treatment or after a dose increase. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms are severe, persistent, or unusual.
    On its own, Ozempic generally does not cause low blood sugar as often as some other diabetes medications. However, the risk can increase if Ozempic is used together with insulin or certain other blood sugar-lowering medications. This is why the entire medication plan should always be reviewed by a doctor.
    Alcohol is not described in the prescribing information as a classic interaction, but it can worsen gastrointestinal side effects and make blood sugar control more difficult. Anyone using Ozempic should therefore handle alcohol consciously and in moderation and discuss individual risks with a doctor.
    No. Ozempic should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If a pregnancy is planned or occurs during treatment, the medication should only be continued or stopped in good time after medical advice.
    Ozempic should not be stopped without medical advice. Since the medication is used to treat type 2 diabetes, it must always be assessed how blood sugar control will be ensured afterwards. Whether the treatment is stopped, switched, or adjusted is decided by the treating doctor.
    Yes. Ozempic is prescription-only and is available from pharmacies only with a doctor’s prescription. Before it is prescribed, it should always be medically assessed whether the medication is suitable and how treatment can be safely supervised.
    Whether costs can be covered depends on the medical indication and the individual requirements. General statements are not helpful here. Patients should clarify reimbursement directly with the prescribing practice and their health insurance provider.

    Sources

    1. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Ozempic: EPAR overview page. Page.
    2. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Ozempic: product information including summary of product characteristics and package leaflet (DE, PDF). Document.
    3. Novo Nordisk. Official information on Ozempic in Germany. Page.
    4. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic package leaflet / instructions for use (PDF). Document.
    5. European Medicines Agency (EMA). PRAC recommendations on signals, July 2024: notes on aspiration risks associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Document.
    6. European Medicines Agency (EMA). PRAC concludes eye condition NAION is a very rare side effect of semaglutide medicines. Page.
    7. Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016. Study.

    Schedule an Appointment

    Click the button below to book your initial consultation with our medical assistant. We look forward to supporting you on your journey to a healthy weight.
    Check your eligibility
    Scroll to Top