Navigating Ozempic (Semaglutide): A Comprehensive Guide to Administration, Side Effects and Medication Management
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Injection administration, side effects, contraindications and how to manage side effects
Are you considering Semaglutide as a potential solution for managing your weight and improving your health? Let’s delve into the ins and outs of this medication, from its administration to common side effects and how to manage them effectively.
Semaglutide Injection Sites
- This is a weekly injection and it is recommended to administer the medication on the same day and ideally the same time each week.
- Administer once weekly at any time of day, with or without meals.
- Inject subcutaneously (fat tissue) in the stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. The abdomen is the preferred site as medications gets absorbed the best in this site.
- Rotate injection sites with each new dose. For example, if you injected the previous dose on the right side of the belly button, on your next dose, you would inject the left side.
- If you miss a dose, you can take it within 3 days (72 hours) after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
- Some patients prefer to start the regimen on a weekend for maximum appetite suppression, including less craving & food noise. Others prefer administration Friday evening so that if they experience any early side effects it won’t interfere with their activities scheduled during the week. Some prefer starting on weekdays because they prefer enjoying the weekend with family if they experience any side effects.
- The effect of the medicine is strongest right after administration and appetite suppression decreases progressively by the 5th or 6th day for most individuals.
- Ultimately the day you start the treatment is up to you.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Semaglutide ?
You can drink alcohol while taking this medicine. However, the medication makes you feel full and you will not be able to drink as much without feeling sick or bloated the same day or sometimes even the next day. You may feel “buzzed” quicker than usual if you are drinking on an empty stomach.
Not drinking enough water while consuming alcohol increases the likelihood of feeling hung over the next day. Remember that alcohol causes dehydration. Hydrate with water if you decide to drink any alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration.
What are the contraindications of Semaglutide?
Do not take ozempic semaglutide medication if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or plan to become pregnant.
What are the Common Side Effects of Semaglutide ?
The most common side effects of Ozempic are nausea, vomiting (in severe cases especially if you eat more than your body wants), diarrhea, abdominal pain (stomach ache) and constipation (unable to poop), dehydration (often from not drinking enough water or drinking soda or alcoholic beverages).
Some other side effects my patients have experienced are flatulence (farts) burping, or bloating, which is the feeling of the stomach being overfull from eating too much. These can be reduced if you listen to your body and don’t overeat when you aren’t hungry or if you feel full.
Also remember to drink water to stay hydrated throughout the day even if you do feel full. As you get used to this new medication you should listen to what your body is telling you to help reduce side effects.
How to manage the side effects of Semaglutide ?
These side effects are manageable for most individuals especially if they reduce or stop their intake of fried, greasy and fatty foods including pizza, bacon, sausage, steak or pork. Try to eat food that is easier and lighter on your stomach with high protein (chicken, fish, turkey), vegetables and water.
Some patients mention that reducing their intake of carbohydrates (rice, pasta, bread) and increasing their intake of high protein food reduces their side effects. For most individuals, side effects are usually more prominent shortly after injecting the medication and wear off as the week progresses.
This medication will suppress your appetite as you take it. That means you are going to eat less. Your body has excess calories, it can break down fat to give energy to you. But do not forget to hydrate with water.
Hydration with coffee, soda, juices, other sweet beverages and alcohol will increase your chance of dehydration. Do not forget to HYDRATE with water always!