We bet we have already heard something about Ozempic pens since they are on the verge of popularity these days. Even though designed to lower blood sugar levels and normalize A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, they also do a great job when it comes to the promotion of weight loss.

So, what exactly is it? What are the peculiarities of storing Ozempic pen? And, most importantly, what happens if it is not refrigerated before first injection? Let us figure it out together by checking out the information below!

When buying Ozempic from Canadian pharmacy, you might save a substantial sum of money. The main reason for this is that almost any diabetes medication (including an Ozempic pen) tends to cost less in Canada than in the U.S.

What Is Ozempic?

Above anything else, let us take a closer look at the prescribed Ozempic. How about going through its definition, indications, contraindications, side effects, and expected results of the product right away?

Definition

Ozempic medication is an FDA-approved product designed to regulate blood glucose levels (or, in other words, blood sugar levels) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, it is oftentimes effectively used for A1C level control and weight management (and, therefore, minimize the risks of major cardiovascular events).

Ozempic pens are manufactured by Novo Nordisk. With headquarters in Denmark, it is a global pharmaceutical corporation, highly trusted by both healthcare providers and their patients worldwide. Apart from Ozempic, Novo Nordisk also produces Tresiba, Levemir, NovoMix, Victoza, Fiasp, and a wide range of other prescription medication solutions.

The main active ingredient in the composition of Ozempic is semaglutide, which is the class of receptor agonists serving as an effective substitution for the human glucagon-like peptide-1 (also known as GLP-1). It does a great job when it comes to stimulating insulin release and promoting weight loss. Additionally, it effectively slows gastric emptying.

Indications

The primary task of an Ozempic injection is to regulate blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a medication that is intended to treat patients above the age of 18. Also, the major substance in the composition of Ozempic (semaglutide) is great at regulating A1C levels and, therefore, encouraging weight normalization.

At the same time, however, it is important to mention that weight normalization is not the main indication for using an Ozempic pen. Although there have been several cases of patients injecting the medication exclusively for this purpose, the prescribing information of Ozempic states that only patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are eligible to use it.

Contraindications

According to medical professionals (such as an endocrinologist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider), a prefilled pen of Ozempic is contraindicated to patients under any of the following circumstances:

• If a patient lives with a serious chronic disease (for instance, high blood pressure, thyroid cancer, diabetes mellitus, and so on);
• If a patient has an allergy to semaglutide;
• If a patient experiences an episode of low blood sugar;
• If a patient is either pregnant or breastfeeding;
• And so on.

Ignorance of these contraindications might lead to an increased risk of potential side effects, adverse reactions, and complications. Thus, it is of vital importance to take them into account before the Ozempic treatment initiation.

Side Effects

Injections of Ozempic function in an exceptionally safe way. If a healthcare provider administers the medication properly, no unwanted adverse reactions are expected to appear. Still, a patient might experience any of the following side effects for a short period of time after the procedure:

• Allergic reaction around the injection site (including redness, itching, or swelling);
• Appetite suppression;
• Low blood sugar episode;
• Nausea;
• And so on.

Luckily, these unpleasant symptoms do not usually require any medical supervision. In most cases, they tend to fade away in two to five days after the procedure. However, a patient should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible in case of any serious side effects after the treatment.

Expected Results

When used and stored properly, a weekly injection of Ozempic manages to substantially improve the overall health of a patient. Within a short time period, his or her blood sugar levels tend to return to the normal range. While the weight of a patient is expected to go down (especially in the case of combining Ozempic with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

What Are the Storage Guidelines of Ozempic?

It is important to store Ozempic by paying attention to several simple rules. The main reason for this is that proper storage of the medication not only maximizes the possibility of positive results and minimizes the risk of any serious complications (for instance, heart attack). Below, you will be able to find out before and after peculiarities injections of Ozempic need.

Before the First Use

Unused Ozempic pens need to be refrigerated. More precisely, it is preferable to set the settings of the refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (or, in other words, between 2 to 8 degrees Celcius). At the same time, it is crucial not to freeze Ozempic while it is stored in the refrigerator. 

If a patient violates the above-mentioned Ozempic storage rule, it may not only reduce the effectiveness of the product but also lead to a number of serious complications. In other words, there is no definite answer to the question “Will Ozempic work in a proper way unless being refrigerated?”

At the same time, it is not recommended to inject Ozempic cold. Before using a new needle to administer it, a patient might shortly warm the product in his or her hands (still, no extreme heat should be used for this purpose since extreme temperatures are harmful to the product).

After the First Use

After using the Ozempic pen for the first time, a patient should store it a room temperature between 59 F to 86 F (or, in other words, between 15 to 30 degrees Celcius). The product should not undergo exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures.

Also, it is important to say that a new pen of Ozempic has an expiration date that equals 56 days after opening. As soon as these 56 days go by, the used Ozempic pen has to be disposed of. The product’s used pen cap should be disposed of once weekly (subcutaneous injection).

A Bottom Line

All in all, a patient should avoid storing the Ozempic pen outside the fridge before the first use. Regardless of the date printed on its label, the medication cannot be considered fully safe under these circumstances. So, feel free to keep the professional advice in regard to Ozempic storage in mind whenever using it!

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