News 2023-04-04 | CanadaOnlineHealth
Semaglutide (Ozempic®) is a Type 2 Diabetes treatment, offering an exceptional level of effectiveness. In fact, as of November 2022, it stands as one of the most effective agents for managing type 2 diabetes, thanks to its remarkable track record of success.
In clinical trials, patients using semaglutide for just three months experienced an average weight loss of 5%, and a reduction in A1c of 0.8%. These results demonstrate that semaglutide offers exceptional outcomes that can help to transform the lives of people with type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, semaglutide has been shown to be highly effective for treating obesity, even in the absence of diabetes, providing a powerful tool for weight management and overall health improvement.
Semaglutide is administered once a week via injection, with the option of a daily tablet, Rybelsus®, also available.
The most common full maintenance dose is 1.0 mg weekly. Many patients find that a dose of 0.5 mg weekly also provides excellent results. This would need to be discussed with your physician to provide the best care for you and best management of your diabetes. If care in writing the prescription is taken, the dose of 0.5 mg weekly will cut your semaglutide costs in half. Below is described how a physician should prescribe semaglutide such that the patient can take advantage of this cost savings:
On the prescription the physician should write:
You will receive the 4mg pen. However, your physician should direct you to take the 0.5mg by counting clicks. 0.5 mg weekly will last 8 weeks with the 4mg pen. Each pen is designed to be used to give 1.0 mg weekly, not less - as such there is no demarcation of 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 mg. There are many clicks (notches on the pen) as you turn the dosing dial on a pen. There are approximately 78 clicks for 1.0 mg and 38 clicks to reach 0.5mg. When you reach the desired dose by counting clicks, you can administer. To obtain the starting dose of 0.25 mg you will need to give yourself 19 clicks.
Ozempic® 4mg/3mL Pen Click Doses: 0.25mg dial approximately 19 clicks 0.5mg dial approximately 38 clicks 1.0mg dial approximately 78 clicks and this is also marked on the pen as a dose |