Ozempic

This medication is for injection under the skin of your upper leg (thigh), stomach area, or upper arm. It is given once every week (every 7 days). You will be taught how to prepare and give this medication. Use exactly as directed. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. If you use this medication with insulin, you should inject this medication and the insulin separately. Do not mix them together. Do not give the injections right next to each other. Change (rotate) injection sites with each injection. It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or care team to get one. A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. This medication comes with INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. Ask your pharmacist for directions on how to use this medication. Read the information carefully. Talk to your pharmacist or care team if you have questions. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions–skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change in vision
• Dehydration–increased thirst, dry mouth, feeling faint or lightheaded, headache, dark yellow or brown urine
• Gallbladder problems–severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
• Heart palpitations–rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Kidney injury–decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Pancreatitis–severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Thyroid cancer–new mass or lump in the neck, pain or trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, hoarseness Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Upset stomach

• Other medications for diabetes Many medications may cause changes in blood sugar, these include:
• Alcohol containing beverages
• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
• Chromium
• Diuretics
• Female hormones, such as estrogens or progestins, birth control pills
• Fenofibrate
• Gemfibrozil
• Isoniazid
• Lanreotide
• Male hormones or anabolic steroids
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Medications for weight loss
• Medications for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
• Medications for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• Niacin
• Nicotine
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Octreotide
• Pasireotide
• Pentamidine
• Phenytoin
• Probenecid
• Quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin
• Some herbal dietary supplements
• Steroid medications such as prednisone or cortisone
• Sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim
• Thyroid hormones Some medications can hide the warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely if you are taking one of these medications. These include:
• Beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
• Clonidine
• Guanethidine
• Reserpine