Ozempic Injection Sites: Where and How to Best Inject Ozempic

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 6 min read

Ozempic, one of the market’s most popular diabetes drugs, has gained a lot of attention recently. It is beneficial in treating type 2 diabetes and helping people lose weight. However, it can sometimes be hard to find the best place to inject Ozempic. Knowing how to inject this medication can sometimes be a challenge. 

So where exactly is the best place to inject Ozempic? 

Experts agree that Ozempic should be injected once per week on the same day. It can be taken at any time of the day, and there is no need to take it with meals. However, you can take it with food, if you’d like. 

According to Drugs.com, Ozempic or Semaglutide is an injection medication that comes in a prefilled pen and is dispensed under the skin. The best places to inject Ozempic are on the front of the thighs, in your upper arms, or the front of your waist. Your doctor may suggest that you inject it in another location, but these are recommended as the best places for injection. 

You should not inject Ozempic into a vein or muscle. You should inject this drug into a different location every time you take it. If you inject this medication into the same place every week, you put yourself at risk. Injecting Ozempic into a different spot each week minimizes your chances of developing scar tissue. 

Of course, it’s important to remember that not everyone is excited about getting an injection. According to experts, 30 percent of young adults and half of adolescents are scared of getting a vaccine or injection. 

If you take Ozempic and insulin separately, it is okay to inject Ozempic into the same region of the body as the insulin. 

However, the injection site for Ozempic and insulin should not be beside one another. You should always read the manufacturer’s instructions. You should do this each time you take your medication, in the event that the drug’s manufacturer changes its instructions. These instructions are typically illustrated. 

If you are unsure of where to inject this medication, your doctor or health care provider can show you how to inject this medication for the first time. Eventually, you will have the confidence to inject Ozempic on your own. You should be aware of a few things before you choose a place to dispense this medication on your own. Before you dispense Ozempic, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, pat your hands dry with a towel. 

Stomach injection

But how do you inject Ozempic into your stomach? When injecting into your stomach, you should insert the needle directly below or at the belly button. It should be a few inches from the navel. Injections are often administered into the abdomen. Certain parts of the body, like the stomach, have a layer of muscle that is more accessible. With an injection like this, you use a short needle to inject the medication into the layer of tissue between the muscle and skin.

 When you inject Ozempic through the stomach, the medication absorbs more slowly, often over the course of 24 hours. You can insert Ozempic into the same region of the body that you inject insulin. However, do not mix Ozempic with insulin. If you are considering injecting insulin and Ozempic into the same region of the body, be sure to read Ozempic’s instructions prior to use. 

So where does one begin when taking Ozempic?

It's important to first look at the medicine in your pen. The medication itself is clear. If the medicine is cloudy or contains any particles, discard it. Always attach a new needle to your pen. Do this every time you take Ozempic, and be sure to always remove the inner and outer needle caps. If you are using a pen for the first time, “check the Ozempic flow.”

Proper pen preparation is key. According to experts, you should move the dose selector, and line it up with the flow check symbol. Hold the needle up. Then, hold and press the dose button, and watch it turn to 0. You should find a drop at the top of the needle. If you do not see a drop, repeat this process for up to six times until it finally moves to 0. If you find that it is not working, open and use a new pen. Alternatively, you can call Novo Nordisk at 1-888-693-6742. 

When you inject Ozempic in the stomach, you do not need to pinch the skin. Instead, you press the pen directly into the abdomen, then press the injector, holding it for five seconds. This is an easy process, and the dosage is displayed on the pen itself. The dosage you take should be the same every week. 

In the first weeks of taking this medication, you typically start by taking a low dose of 0.25 milligrams. You usually take this dose for a period of four weeks, and you should not change this dosage. Depending on your situation, your doctor may increase your dosage to 0.5 milligrams per week. He or she will be able to monitor your medication and make changes, if necessary. 

After you have dispensed the injection, take the large cap, and push it onto the pen. Unscrew the cap, so the pen and the needle come out. It should then be placed in a separate container, instead of a trash can. You should dispose of the needle by placing it in something called a “sharps container.” 

Arm injection

You can inject Ozempic into the upper arm as well. Using the arm is just as effective as injecting it into the stomach and thigh. 

Thigh injection

When a needle is injected directly into the thigh, you will not accidentally inject the needle into a vein. The flesh of the thigh is meaty, making it a good place to inject a pen. When you receive the medication, you will be provided with one pen and four needles. Because one pen has four needles, it will last for a total of one month. Of course, it’s important to always make sure your hands are clean and that you’re in a clean environment without distractions.

 So, what is the best way to inject Ozempic? According to PubMed, Ozempic is a “state-of-the-art GLP-1 receptor agonist medication. To get the best results from Ozempic injection, it doesn’t matter if you take the medicine in the morning or at night. However, it is important to have at least two days between injections.

To make sure you inject Ozempic properly, follow the steps below:

• Insert the needle into your arm, stomach, or upper thigh 

• Press down on the dose button and hold it there for six seconds

• Make sure that all of the medication has been dispensed under the skin

According to Drugs.com, it is important to carry new needles and an extra pen with you in case the medicine’s instructions have changed. This also ensures that you have your medication with you in the event that you lose a pen or dose.  

Ozempic should be refrigerated. It should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, if it is unused and new. After you have taken Ozempic for the first time, there are some rules you must follow. You can keep it in your refrigerator for 56 days, or you can store it at room temperature. The pen cap must stay on your pen when you are not using it. Always use Ozempic as your doctor advises.

If you have unused Ozempic pens, they can be used all the way up to the expiration date listed on the drug’s label. Be aware that you should not freeze an Ozempic pen. Also, be certain to keep pens out of the reach of pets and children. Do not hang on to an expired pen if it still has medication in it.

Write down your next disposal date on a calendar, so you don’t lose track of when you should dispose of a pen. You should also be careful when it comes to cooling. According to experts, you should not store Ozempic pens next to a cooling agent or apparatus. Ozempic should be kept away from light and out of heat.

You should not store Ozempic pens in your car, as doing so can result in the medicine getting too hot or cold. It is important not to share your Ozempic pen with anyone. Doing so can facilitate the transmission of a virus or serious infection. Having someone else use your medication can result in adverse reactions, especially if an individual is used to taking a different medication. 

While Ozempic pens can be stored for 56 days, you must make sure the medication is refrigerated the entire time it is stored. Children under the age of 18 should not take Ozempic. For best results, Ozempic should be taken alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.   

8 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.ozempic.com/why-ozempic/what-is-ozempic.html

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/ozempic-injected-3544784/

https://ro.co/health-guide/where-and-how-to-inject-ozempic/

https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/medication-education/how-to-give-yourself-a-shot

https://www.healthline.com/health/subcutaneous-injection#prep

https://www.healthline.com/health/subcutaneous-injection

https://www.novomedlink.com/diabetes/products/treatments/ozempic/dosing-administration/ozempic-pen.html

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/ozempic-refrigerated-3542954/

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.