Short answer: Ozempic (semaglutide) is injected under the skin once a week, on the same day each week. According to the prescribing information, treatment starts at 0.25 mg for 4 weeks, then goes to 0.5 mg; if needed, it can go up to 1 mg and then 2 mg after at least 4 weeks on each dose. Before you use a new pen for the first time, you do a flow check.

Key takeaways

  • Ozempic is injected once a week, at any time of day, with or without meals.
  • Dose steps: 0.25 mg (start, 4 weeks), 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg.
  • Ozempic is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes; the semaglutide brand approved for weight management is Wegovy.
  • If you miss a dose, the prescribing information says to take it within 5 days; after that, skip it.
  • Use a new needle for every injection; your doctor decides your dose and when it goes up.

Ozempic is a prescription medicine containing semaglutide, injected once a week. It comes in a multi-dose pen: you use the same pen for several weeks and attach a new needle each time.

This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Do your first injection the way your doctor, nurse or pharmacist showed you, and follow the Instructions for Use in the carton.

When do you inject Ozempic?

Once a week, on the same day every week. The time of day is up to you, with or without food.

If you need to change your injection day, the US prescribing information says there must be at least 2 days (48 hours) between two doses. For more on picking a day, see which day should you take your GLP-1 injection.

Ozempic dose steps

Step Weekly dose Role in the prescribing information
1 0.25 mg Starting dose, first 4 weeks
2 0.5 mg First treatment dose
3 1 mg After at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg, if needed
4 2 mg After at least 4 weeks on 1 mg, if needed

0.25 mg is a starting dose: it gets your body used to the medicine and helps limit digestive side effects such as nausea. Your doctor decides whether you move to the next step. What to expect when the dose goes up is covered in what happens when your GLP-1 dose goes up.

Using the pen

Here is the general flow; the Instructions for Use for your pen are what count:

  • Wash your hands and check the pen label: right medicine, right dose.
  • Look through the pen window: the medicine should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy or has been frozen.
  • Attach a new needle for every injection.
  • Before the first use of each new pen, do the flow check described in the instructions. It confirms the pen is delivering medicine.
  • Select your dose, insert the needle, press and hold the button until the dose counter shows 0, then keep the needle in while you count slowly to 6.
  • Remove the needle and put it in a sharps disposal container. Do not store the pen with a needle attached.

Using the pen to take a different amount, for example by counting clicks, is not a use described in the prescribing information. For general pen and needle tips, see how to use a GLP-1 pen.

Where do you inject it?

Under the skin of the stomach area, the thigh or the upper arm. You can keep using the same area, but pick a different spot each week. How and why is covered in GLP-1 injection sites and rotation.

What if I miss a dose?

According to the prescribing information:

  • If 5 days or less have passed since the missed dose, take it as soon as you remember, then take the next dose on your usual day.
  • If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next one on your usual day.
  • Do not take two doses at the same time or close together.

Storage

Before first use, keep the pen in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and do not freeze it. How long a pen can be kept once you start using it, and at what temperature, is covered in how to store GLP-1 injection pens.

Keeping track of your injections

Because one pen lasts several weeks, it is easy to lose track of how many doses are left and where you injected last. Haftra logs each injection with the day, dose and site, counts the doses left in your pen and reminds you on your dose day. It does not suggest doses; it only follows your plan. It is free.

iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Free.

Frequently asked questions

What is the starting dose of Ozempic?

According to the prescribing information, 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg.

What time of day should I inject Ozempic?

Any time, with or without food. What matters is keeping the same day each week.

What happens if I miss an Ozempic dose?

If 5 days or less have passed, take it as soon as you remember. If more time has passed, skip it and go back to your usual day.

Do you change the needle on the Ozempic pen?

Yes. Attach a new needle for every injection and remove it afterward. Do not store the pen with a needle on it.

Are Ozempic and Wegovy the same medicine?

Both contain semaglutide, but they are separate products: Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for weight management, and their dose steps differ. See Wegovy dosage for details.

Sources

  • FDA - Ozempic (semaglutide) prescribing information and Instructions for Use
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Last reviewed: September 26, 2026