Ozempic Patient Guide

Welcome to your Ozempic Patient Guide!

Within this booklet, you should find all the information you need to know about Ozempic and how it can support your weight loss journey.

Ozempic is currently used to treat Type 2 Diabetes, but has been shown to support a significant reduction in body weight, when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and movement programme.

We hope you find all the information you need within this guide, but if you have further questions, please do contact us and speak to your Slimming Clinic support team or doctor.

0800 917 9334

info@theslimmingclinic.com

We wish you the best of luck with your weight loss journey!

The Slimming Clinic

I started at 195lbs since taking the medication Friday 4th I have lost exactly 7lbs which is 1lb per day!

My sleep pattern had not changed nor did I experience any other side effects.

I have taken my second injection this morning.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic (Semaglutide), is a once-a-week injectable weight loss medication that works on the appetite receptors in the brain to reduce feelings of hunger and cravings.

The injection imitates GLP1 – a naturally occurring hormone in your body – which is released after you eat and indicates to your brain that you are full.

These medications also work to slow the emptying of your stomach, which leads to feelings of fullness for longer after you have eaten.

Ozempic is currently licensed for use in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, but it has shown to have a positive effect on reducing people’s weight when accompanied by a healthy diet and exercise programme.

A study of almost 2000 people published in February 2021 has shown that the once-aweek weight loss injection can help patients with obesity significantly reduce their body weight and improve their health alongside their weight loss diet.

The study, undertaken by University College London, found that 32% of people who took Ozempic were able to reduce their overall body weight by 20%, in just 15 months when accompanied by a healthy weight loss diet.

Ozempic is similar to our already prescribed injectable weight loss medication, Saxenda, but the only difference being that you only need to inject Ozempic once a week - making it a more convenient weight loss medication and meaning you are much less likely to forget to take it!

More than just losing weight, there are so many benefits to leading a healthier lifestyle, like reducing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and reducing your body fat.

This means you will be making changes in your health outside of just your weight, even if your weight loss is slowing or plateauing, your body fat % and blood pressure could be dropping! Keep your motivation up by monitoring these body measurements.

How to Take & Use Ozempic

The best places on your body to inject Ozempic are the front of your thighs, the front of your waist (abdomen) or your upper arms.

Your dosage of Ozempic will be decided based on your weight loss needs with your Slimming Clinic doctor and will be unique to you.

STEP 1

Check your pen and attach a new needle

Make sure your pen contains clear and colourless Ozempic Screw on new needle and pull off both needle caps.

STEP 2

Check the flow

With each new pen, turn the dose selector to select the flow check symbol ( ). Press and hold in the dose button. Repeat until a drop appears.

STEP 3

Select your dose

Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows your dose (0.25mg, 0.5mg or 1.0mg).

STEP 4

Inject your dose

Insert the needle. Press and hold down the dose button. After the dose count reaches 0, hold for at least 6 seconds to make sure you receive the full dose.

STEP 5

Remove the needle

Replace the outer needle. Carefully remove and dispose of the needle. Put the pen cap back on.

Please note: Your Ozempic should be stored in the fridge before opening. Once opened, you can store the pen for 8 weeks in temperatures below 30C or in your fridge between 2C and 8C.

Ozempic Benefits

What are the benefits of Ozempic?

The key benefit of Ozempic is that it only needs to be injected once a week in order to have the effects required to support your weight loss and healthy lifestyle.

This is because the active substance in Ozempic – known as semaglutide - has a longer duration of action in the body compared to Saxenda’s active substance - liraglutide.

Research shows that semaglutide is more effective in improving blood glucose control and weight loss compared to liraglutide, therefore needing to be taken less to have the same effect as a once-a-day injection.

Currently Saxenda (liraglutide) is the only GLP-1 anti-obesity drug approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK and requires administration by the patient once a day and can often be forgotten by the patient.

The introduction of Ozempic could improve treatment as it only requires the patient to take it once a week – thus they are less likely to forget to take it and more likely to be successful in reaching their weight loss goals!

Ozempic FAQS

Ozempic is an unlicensed medication, is it safe to take?

Ozempic is currently not indicated for weight loss, but it is licensed and received a European Marketing Authorisation in February 2018 for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Weight loss was found to be a secondary result for patients taking Ozempic.

Therefore, we prescribe Ozempic ‘offlabel’ which means that a medication is being used in a way that is different to that described in the licence.

An example of ‘off-label’ use is prescribing a medicine for a different illness or condition to that indicated in the licence.

Clinicians may have found that the medicine works well for such condition.

This use may be supported by research groups, but the drug manufacturers has not extended the licence.

However, being ‘off-label’ does not make Ozempic less effective for the purposes of supporting weight loss.

There are currently trials taking place to make the active ingredient in Ozempic, ‘Semaglutide’, a licensed weight loss medication, with the NHS looking to offer this service from the end of 2022.

Doctors only prescribe a medication ‘Offlabel’ when they have assessed a patient individually and decided that it would be safe and effective to do so.

Any doctor with a valid license to practice medicine in the UK can prescribe a medication ‘Off-label’ however it is not common practice seen outside private weight loss clinics such as The Slimming Clinic.

What are the Side Effects of Ozempic?

Like any medication, you may find that you experience some side effects with using Ozempic, however, not everyone will experience side effects.

Very Common

Feeling sick or nauseous – this will go away with time

Diarrhoea* – this will go away with time

Being sick* (physically vomiting)

Low blood sugar – if you are using Ozempic with other antidiabetic medication or insulin

Uncommon

Increased heart rate

Allergic reactions – please seek medical advice immediately if you experience an allergic reaction.

*Please note, if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea with taking Ozempic, please ensure you are taking on adequate fluids to avoid dehydration.

If you have any concerns or are experiencing side effects you are not comfortable with, please speak to the Slimming Clinic as soon as possible.

When should I take Ozempic?

You should take your weekly Ozempic injection on the same day each week, either with or without meals, as prescribed to your by the Slimming Clinic doctor.

What if I miss/forget a dose?

If it has been 5 days or less since your last missed dose, take Ozempic as soon as you remember. Then, take your next scheduled dose on your regularly scheduled day.

If it is more than 5 days, then simply miss that dose and take your next on your regularly scheduled day.

How long will my Ozempic pen last?

Depending on your individual dosage as prescribed to you by the Slimming Clinic doctor, your Ozempic pen should last you approximately 4-6 weeks..

How do I administer Ozempic?

The best places to inject your Ozempic is on the fatty tissue on your body – the main places include the front of your thighs, your stomach or upper arms.

How is Ozempic different to Saxenda?

The main difference between Ozempic and Saxenda is that Saxenda is a daily injection and Ozempic needs to only be injected once-a-week.

This makes Ozempic a more manageable weight loss injection and you are less likely to forget to take it!