Short answer: Ozempic (semaglutide) is injected under the skin once a week, on the same day each week. In the standard schedule of the product information, treatment starts at 0.25 mg for 4 weeks and the next step is 0.5 mg; the schedule also includes 1 mg and 2 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on each dose. Your GP or prescriber decides the steps and the timing. Before each new pen is used for the first time, a flow check is done.

Key takeaways

  • Ozempic is injected once a week, at any time of day, with or without food.
  • Dose steps in the product information: 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.
  • According to the product information, a missed dose is taken within 5 days; after that, it is skipped.
  • A new needle is used for every injection; your GP or prescriber decides the 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

The dosing decision is your doctor's. The table below reproduces the standard dose schedule in the product information (summary of product characteristics); it is not a personal treatment plan. Which step to stay on, when to move and whether to step up at all is decided by your GP or prescriber.

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 the body used to the medicine and helps limit digestive side effects such as nausea. Whether to move to the next step is the prescriber's decision. 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 the prescribed 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, it is taken as soon as it is remembered, and the next dose is taken on the usual day.
  • If more than 5 days have passed, the missed dose is skipped and the next one is taken on the usual day.
  • The product information does not provide for taking two doses at the same time or close together.

If you are unsure in a specific situation, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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?

In the standard schedule of the product information, the starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks; the next step in the schedule is 0.5 mg. The prescriber decides when to move.

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?

According to the product information, if 5 days or less have passed, the dose is taken as soon as it is remembered. If more time has passed, it is skipped and the usual day continues. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Last reviewed: 15 October 2026