Ozempic (semaglutide) is currently one of the fastest growing GLP-1 non-insulin antidiabetic medications on the market. In 2019, Novo Nordisk’s sales of Ozempic increased by 142 percent at CER. As of May 2, 2020, Ozempic is available in 26 countries. Considering how popular this drug is right now, it pays to know a little bit more about this medication, including how long Ozempic stays in your system.
According to Ozempic’s prescribing information, this drug has a half-life of about seven days (168 hours). Other information includes:
Mean effective half-life: Approximately 1 week
Time to steady-state: Steady-state exposure takes from four to five weeks
Mean accumulation ratio: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, after a four- to five-week span of receiving 0.5 mg of Ozempic, these patients had a mean accumulation ratio of 65.0 ng/mL. Patients who received a 1 mg dose of Ozempic weekly from four to five weeks had a mean accumulation ratio of about 123.0 ng/mL.
Terminal phase half-life: 155.1 hrs. (~6.5 days)
Ozempic has a bioavailability of 89 percent. Since Ozempic is administered via a subcutaneous injection, maximum concentration is reached within one to three days of injection. This medication is excreted from the body via urine and feces.
FAQ
What is the half-life of Ozempic?
About a week (168 hours).
How long does Ozempic stay in your system?
Roughly 5 weeks after the last dose.
How long does it take to get Ozempic out of your system?
The elimination half-life of Ozempic is about a week. However, semaglutide remains within the circulatory system for approximately five weeks after the last dose.
Do Ozempic side effects go away?
For some patients, as the body adjusts to the medication, the side effects subside.
How much weight will I lose on Ozempic?
In one of Ozempic’s clinical studies that concentrated on weight loss, participants lost between 8 to 10 pounds over a 30-week period. In another study, people lost approximately 11 pounds over a period of 12 weeks.
Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Ozempic pens need to be refrigerated between 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 8 degrees Celsius) prior to their first use. Do not freeze Ozempic. If the medication does freeze, it must be discarded.
After the first use, the pen can remain at room temperature between 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 degrees Celsius). The pen should remain capped when not in use. In addition, Ozempic must be protected from direct sunlight and excessive heat. A new needle must be used for each injection and the pen should never be stored with the needle attached.
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