Posology
The starting dose is 0.25 mg semaglutide once weekly. After 4 weeks the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. After at least 4 weeks with a dose of 0.5 mg once weekly, the dose can be increased to 1 mg once weekly to further improve glycaemic control. After at least 4 weeks with a dose of 1 mg once weekly, the dose can be increased to 2 mg once weekly to further improve glycaemic control.
Semaglutide 0.25 mg is not a maintenance dose. Weekly doses higher than 2 mg are not recommended.
When Ozempic is added to existing metformin and/or thiazolidinedione therapy or to a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, the current dose of metformin and/or thiazolidinedione or SGLT2 inhibitor can be continued unchanged.
When Ozempic is added to existing therapy of sulfonylurea or insulin, a reduction in the dose of sulfonylurea or insulin should be considered to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia
Self-monitoring of blood glucose is not needed in order to adjust the dose of Ozempic. Blood glucose self-monitoring is necessary to adjust the dose of sulfonylurea and insulin, particularly when Ozempic is started and insulin is reduced. A stepwise approach to insulin reduction is recommended.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible and within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, the missed dose should be skipped, and the next dose should be administered on the regularly scheduled day. In each case, patients can then resume their regular once weekly dosing schedule.
Changing the dosing day
The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary, as long as the time between two doses is at least 3 days (>72 hours). After selecting a new dosing day, once-weekly dosing should be continued.