Ozempic, a drug used to treat diabetes, has gained attention recently as celebrities, a tech mogul and TikTok influencers have described taking it to lose weight in short time frames. Due to this, many people tends to use it. However, What happens if you take too much Ozempic ? The question about Ozempic dosage is, What happens if you take too much Ozempic? In this article we’ll look at the drug Ozempic, it’s uses, side effects, What happens if you take too much Ozempic and many more about Ozempic.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injection that is FDA approved for use by adults with type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. Ozempic is also used by adults with type 2 diabetes who have heart and blood vessel disease to reduce their risk of a stroke, heart attack, or death. The active ingredient (semaglutide) in Ozempic has also been shown in clinical trials to be useful for weight loss, however Ozempic is currently not an FDA approved weight loss drug.

Ozempic happens to be used when other medications have been tried but have not controlled the sugar levels well enough. It should be used along with a diet and exercise program. 
Type 2 Diabetes is a long term condition when your blood sugars become too high as the body does not produce or use insulin normally. If you have high blood sugars over a period of time it can cause serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems

How to use Ozempic Pen Injector

Read the Medication Guide and Instructions For Use provided by your pharmacist before you start using semaglutide and each time you get a refill. Learn all preparation and usage instructions. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each week to lessen injury under the skin.

Inject this medication under the skin in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm as directed by your doctor, usually once every 7 days. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose.

Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. This medication may be used with or without meals. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it every 7 days. If needed, the day of weekly use may be changed as long as the time between two doses is at least 2 days. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Carefully follow the medication treatment plan, meal plan, and exercise program your doctor has recommended.

How does Ozempic work

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a hormone that has multiple effects on glucose through its action on GLP-1 receptors. By binding and activating these receptors, Ozempic lowers blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion and reducing glucagon secretion. These are both done in a glucose-dependent manner.

This means when your blood glucose is high, your body will release more insulin and less glucagon. Ozempic also slightly delays the time it takes your food to empty out of your stomach immediately after eating. This can help reduce the rate at which glucose circulates in your bloodstream.

What happens if you take too much Ozempic?

It’s possible to overdose on any prescription medication, including Ozempic and what happens must be known. Ozempic is a long-acting treatment that can cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if not used as prescribed. If you take more than your prescribed dose, call your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Headache, dizziness, confusion
• Nausea, vomiting
• Shaking, sweating
• Feeling weak, tiredness
• Hunger
• Blurred vision
• Seizures
  To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection in case of severe hypoglycemia.

What are the possible side effects of Ozempic ?

Ozempic may cause serious side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). 

Stop using Ozempic and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.

Changes in vision. 

Tell your health care provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Ozempic®.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 

Your risk of getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Ozempic with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery.

Kidney problems (kidney failure)

In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Serious allergic reactions. 

Stop using Ozempic and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction happens, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat.

Gallbladder problems

Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Ozempic®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.

Common side effects of Ozempic

Some of the side effects of Ozempic, which might be amplified if you take too much Ozempic, include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Constipation

While hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) isn’t common with Ozempic, it is possible, especially if you take too much. You’re at a much higher risk of low blood sugar if you take other diabetes medications along with Ozempic, such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Signs of hypoglycemia include:

• Feeling shaky and/or dizzy
• Rapid and/or irregular heartbeat
• Pale skin
• Fatigue
• Tingling or numbness of the lips, tongue, or cheek
• Sweating
• Hunger
• Feeling irritable or moody
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Headache

Before using Ozempic

Before using Ozempic, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:

• have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys. 
• have a history of diabetic retinopathy.
• are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. It is not known if Ozempic® will harm your unborn baby or passes into your breast milk. You should stop using Ozempic® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant.

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.

Ozempic contraindications

You should not use Ozempic if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient semaglutide, or any of the other ingredients in Ozempic
• Have had, or have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (medullary thyroid cancer)
• Have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Have pancreatitis
• Have type 1 diabetes (Ozempic is for type 2 diabetes only)
• Are under 18 years of age

Talk to your doctor about your medical condition before using Ozempic if you:

• Have had any problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• Have ever had diabetic retinopathy
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of reach of children. Store it away from light and heat, with the pen cap on.
Store unused Ozempic in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F [2°C to 8°C]) but do not place them near the refrigerator cooling element. Once a pen is in use you can store it at room temperature (59°F to 86°F [15°C to 30°C]) or in the refrigerator.

Do not freeze. Do not use this medicine if it has been frozen. When traveling, pens that are in use can be stored at room temperature (59°F to 86°F [15°C to 30°C]) (not in a car glove compartment or other hot place).
Make a note of the date you first use a semaglutide pen, and dispose of the pen after 56 days, even if there is some solution left in the pen.