What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand of Semaglutide. FDA has approved it for 3 uses. People take it once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals. The first labeled dose is 0.25 mg. The highest is 2 mg.

Source: Current FDA label, checked 2026-08-12

What matters first

Medicine: Semaglutide
How often: Once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals
Starting dose: 0.25 mg
Highest labeled dose: 2 mg

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Go straight to the answer

DosageOzempic dosage scheduleSee every labeled step from 0.25 mg to 2 mg.SafetyOzempic side effectsSee common trial results, serious warnings and later FDA reports.PriceWhat Ozempic costsCompare the list price, published cash offers and key limits.StorageHow to store OzempicCheck the label rules for temperature, travel and time out of the fridge.Medicine guideRead about SemaglutideSee the medicine behind Ozempic and any other brands that use it.

Approved uses

What is Ozempic approved to treat?

Adults with type 2 diabetes, together with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar.

Labeled maintenance: 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg once weekly, chosen on blood sugar control

Adults with type 2 diabetes and heart risk, to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death.

Labeled maintenance: 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg once weekly

Adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, to lower the risk of kidney failure and heart-related death.

Labeled maintenance: 1 mg once weekly, reached after at least 4 weeks on 0.5 mg

Not an approved use: The Ozempic label does not cover weight loss. Every use on it is written for adults who have type 2 diabetes, and no dose above 2 mg exists.

The product itself

How Ozempic comes

Single-patient-use pen, 2 mg per 3 mL

0.68 mg/mL, giving 4 doses of 0.25 mg then 2 of 0.5 mg, or 4 doses of 0.5 mg

4 doses

Single-patient-use pen, 4 mg per 3 mL

1.34 mg/mL, giving 4 doses of 1 mg

4 doses

Single-patient-use pen, 8 mg per 3 mL

2.68 mg/mL, giving 4 doses of 2 mg

4 doses

Single-dose prefilled syringe

0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg per 0.5 mL

1 dose

Novo Nordisk makes Ozempic under NDA 209637. The label says it is given as a shot under the skin.

Same medicine, different label

How is Ozempic different from Wegovy?

Two brand names use this drug. Ozempic is the one for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is the one for weight-related care. Their dose plans are not the same.

Read the Wegovy overview

6primary sources, each with the day we read it — open the documents used on this page

Ozempic (semaglutide) injection — FDA-approved Prescribing Information (DailyMed)retrieved 2026-08-12FDA label
Drugs@FDA approval history — NDA 209637, Ozempic (semaglutide) injectionretrieved 2026-08-12FDA label
FDA approval letter, NDA 209637 — Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetesretrieved 2026-08-12FDA label
FDA supplement approval letter, NDA 209637/S-003 — Ozempic cardiovascular event risk reduction in type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease (SUSTAIN 6)retrieved 2026-08-12FDA label
FDA supplement approval letter, NDA 209637/S-025 — Ozempic for reducing sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney diseaseretrieved 2026-08-12FDA label
FDA supplement approval letter, NDA 209637/S-009 — addition of a third Ozempic maintenance dose, 2 mg once weeklyretrieved 2026-08-12FDA label

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD · non-practicing medical reviewer