Short answer: Ozempic (semaglutide) is injected under the skin once a week, on the same day each week. According to the product 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 using each 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 food.
  • Dose steps: 0.25 mg (start, 4 weeks), 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg.
  • Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes; the semaglutide medicine licensed for weight management is Wegovy.
  • If you miss a dose, the product information says to take it within 5 days; after that, skip it.
  • Attach a new needle for every injection; your GP or prescriber decides your dose and when it goes up.

Ozempic is a prescription-only medicine containing semaglutide, taken as a once-weekly jab. 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 does not replace medical advice. Do your first injection the way your nurse, pharmacist or prescriber showed you, and follow the instructions for use in the pack.

When do you inject Ozempic?

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

If you need to change your injection day, the product information says there should be at least 3 days (72 hours) between two doses. More on choosing a day in which day should you have your weight-loss injection.

Ozempic dosage

Step Weekly dose Role in the product information
1 0.25 mg Starting dose, first 4 weeks
2 0.5 mg First maintenance 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 prescriber decides whether you move to the next step. What to expect when the dose goes up is covered in what happens when your weight-loss injection dose goes up.

Using the pen

The exact steps are in the instructions for use for your pen. In outline:

  • Wash your hands and check the pen label: right medicine, right dose.
  • Look through the pen window: the liquid should be clear and colourless. 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 shows 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 for as long as the instructions say.
  • Take the needle off and put it in a sharps bin; do not store the pen with a needle attached.

Taking a different amount than the dose you have selected, for example by counting clicks, is not a use described in the product information. For general tips, see how do you use a weight-loss injection pen.

Where do you inject it?

Under the skin of the tummy, the thigh or the upper arm. The same area is fine, but choose a different spot each week. More in weight-loss injection sites and rotation.

What if I miss a dose?

According to the product 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.
  • Never take two doses at the same time or close together.

Storage

Before first use, keep the pen in the fridge at 2°C to 8°C and do not freeze it. How long a pen lasts once you start using it is covered in how should weight-loss injections be stored.

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 last injected. Haftra logs each injection with the day, dose and site, counts the doses left in your pen and reminds you on your injection 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 product 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 carry on from your usual day.

Do you change the needle on the Ozempic pen?

Yes. Attach a new needle for every injection and take it off afterwards. Do not store the pen with a needle on it.

Are Ozempic and Wegovy the same?

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

Sources

  • EMA: Ozempic (semaglutide), summary of product characteristics and package leaflet
  • MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)

Last reviewed: 26 September 2026