What happens if you take Ozempic twice a week?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this article, we will discuss the potential risks of taking Ozempic, a medication used to manage diabetes and obesity, twice a week. We will also discuss the management of symptoms associated with Ozempic overdose and the best way and time for the administration of this drug.
What happens if you take Ozempic twice a week?
Taking Ozempic (Semaglutide) twice can lead to an overdose, as this medication should only be administered once weekly. Overdosing on Ozempic may cause disturbing symptoms, one of which is hypoglycemia – which is the most concerning symptom (1).
If you suspect an overdose or experience any unusual symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
What are the symptoms associated with Ozempic overdose?
Taking an overdose of Ozempic can lead to hypoglycemia, which is when the blood sugar level drops too low. Hypoglycemia can cause various symptoms that can vary from person to person (1).
Common signs of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, dizzy, or lightheaded. You might also experience sweating, confusion, irritability, and a rapid heartbeat (2). Some people may feel extremely hungry or have sudden mood changes, feeling anxious or nervous.
In severe cases of hypoglycemia, individuals may become weak, have trouble concentrating, and may even lose consciousness or have seizures. It’s crucial to recognize these symptoms and take prompt action if you suspect low blood sugar levels.
If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia after taking Ozempic, it is essential to treat it immediately. You can consume a fast-acting source of sugar, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or candies, to raise your blood sugar quickly.
However, it’s best to discuss this with your doctor prior to getting an Ozempic shot, and the proper ways of managing hypoglycemia in case it happens should also be discussed beforehand.
Ozempic overdose can also cause gastrointestinal side effects and other possible complications, that can vary from person to person (3,4). This is why overdosing on this medication should be managed right away.
What are the dosage recommendations for Ozempic?
The proper dosage recommendations for Ozempic are (1):
| Purpose | Dosage Recommendation |
| Type 2 Diabetes | 0.25 mg injected under the skin once a week for 4 weeks. The dose may be increased by your doctor as needed, but usually not more than 1 mg once a week. |
| Weight Management | 0.25 mg injected under the skin once a week for 4 weeks. The dose may be increased by your doctor every 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 1 mg once a week. |
*These dosage recommendations are for adults and children aged 12 years and older. For children younger than 12 years of age, the dose should be determined by a healthcare provider.
What to do if you have accidentally administered Ozempic twice in one week?
If you have administered Ozempic twice in one week, it’s important to take immediate action and seek medical advice. Get in touch with your healthcare provider or doctor right away to explain the situation.
They will be there to offer you specific guidance on what you should do next. Sometimes, they might suggest closely monitoring your blood sugar levels to watch for any signs of hypoglycemia, which is when your blood sugar becomes too low.
Hypoglycemia can bring about symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, dizziness, confusion, and a rapid heartbeat. If you experience any of these signs or if you’re not sure what steps to take, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider or seek medical help without delay.
If you find your weekly dose of Ozempic insufficient or you fail to see a positive change in your blood sugar levels or your weight, please discuss your concerns with your doctor. Ozempic can take some time to work (1). Just don’t double up the dose or administer it more frequently on your own.
What to do if you have missed your weekly Ozempic dose?
If you have missed your weekly Ozempic dose, inform your healthcare provider.
In the meantime, check your calendar or set a reminder to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if your next scheduled dose is just around the corner, it’s better to wait and take the next dose on your regular day.
Remember, it’s crucial not to double up on the dose or take two doses close together to make up for the missed one. Doing so can lead to an overdose and increase the risk of side effects (1). Always follow the dosing schedule provided by your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the consequences of taking Ozempic twice in one week. We have also discussed dosage recommendations for the medication and what one should do in case of overdosing or missing a dose.
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References
1.-
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf
2.-
Mathew P, Thoppil D. Hypoglycemia. 2022 Dec 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30521262. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534841
3.-
Shu Y, He X, Wu P, Liu Y, Ding Y, Zhang Q. Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with semaglutide: A pharmacovigilance study based on FDA adverse event reporting system. Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 20;10:996179. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.996179. PMID: 36339230; PMCID: PMC9631444. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9631444/
4.-
Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Jul 7;12:645563. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.645563. Erratum in: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Nov 10;12:786732. PMID: 34305810; PMCID: PMC8294388. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8294388/
