semaglutide

REMS

Ozempic and Rybelsus:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (as adjunct to diet and exercise).

Ozempic:

To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease (injection only).

Wegovy:

Chronic weight management in:
- Adults who are obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m²) OR are overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with ≥1 weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes) (as adjunct to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity).
- Pediatric patients ≥12 yr old who are obese (initial BMI ≥95th percentile standardized for age and sex) (as adjunct to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity).

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
Type 1 diabetes
Diabetic ketoacidosis.

Use Cautiously in:

History of pancreatitis
Diabetic retinopathy (↑ risk of complications)
History of angioedema or anaphylaxis to another GLP-1 receptor agonist
History of suicidal attempt or active suicidal ideations
OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk; insulin recommended for glucose management in pregnancy
Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant
Rep: Women of reproductive potential
Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children <12 yr (Wegovy) or <18 yr (Ozempic or Rybelsus).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CV: ↑ heart rate.

Derm: hair loss.

EENT: retinopathy complications.

Endo: hypoglycemia, MEDULLARY THYROID CARCINOMA.

GI: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, ↓ appetite, ↑ amylase, ↑ lipase, abdominal distention, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, dyspepsia, flatulence, PANCREATITIS, vomiting.

GU: acute kidney injury.

Local: injection site reactions.

Neuro: fatigue, headache, dizziness, SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR/IDEATION (WEGOVY ONLY).

Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS (INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS AND ANGIOEDEMA).

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-Drug:

Concurrent use with agents that increase insulin secretion, including sulfonylureas or insulin, may ↑ the risk of serious hypoglycemia; use cautiously and consider dose ↓ of agent increasing insulin secretion.
May alter absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications due to delayed gastric emptying.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Tablets (Rybelsus): 3 mg; 7 mg; 14 mg;
Solution for injection (Ozempic) (prefilled pens): 2 mg/3 mL (delivers doses of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg); 4 mg/3 mL (delivers dose of 1 mg); 8 mg/3 mL (delivers dose of 2 mg);
Solution for injection (Wegovy) (prefilled pens): 0.25 mg/0.5 mL; 0.5 mg/0.5 mL; 1 mg/0.5 mL; 1.7 mg/0.75 mL; 2.4 mg/0.75 mL;

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Type 2 Diabetes

PO (Adults): 3 mg once daily for 30 days, then 7 mg once daily; after 30 days, may ↑ to 14 mg once daily if additional glycemic control needed.
SC (Adults): Ozempic: 0.25 mg once weekly initially for 4 wk, then 0.5 mg once weekly for 1 wk; may then ↑ dose after ≥4 wk, if needed, to 1 mg once weekly; may then ↑ dose after ≥4 wk, if needed, to 2 mg once weekly.

Reduction in Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Established Cardiovascular Disease

SC (Adults): Ozempic: 0.25 mg once weekly initially for 4 wk, then 0.5 mg once weekly for 1 wk; may then ↑ dose after 4 wk, if needed, up to 1 mg once weekly.

Chronic Weight Management

SC (Adults and Children ≥12 yr): Wegovy: 0.25 mg once weekly initially for 4 wk, then 0.5 mg once weekly for 4 wk, then 1 mg once weekly for 4 wk, then 1.7 mg once weekly for 4 wk, then 2.4 mg once weekly thereafter.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy

Action ⬆ ⬇

Acts as an acylated human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1, an incretin) receptor agonist; increases intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) leading to insulin release when glucose is elevated, which then subsides as blood glucose decreases toward euglycemia. Also decreases glucagon secretion and delays gastric emptying. Also helps to suppress appetite, leading to decreased caloric intake.

Therapeutic Effects:

Improved glycemic control.
Reduction in risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke.
Reduction in body weight.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: antidiabetics, weight control agents

Pharmacologic Classification:

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: 89% absorbed following SUBQ injection; 0.4–1% absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Minimally distributed to tissues.

Protein Binding: >99%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Endogenously metabolized; eliminated in the urine (3% as unchanged drug) and feces.

Half-life: 1 wk.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

(plasma concentrations)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
SUBQ	unknown	1–3 days	unknown
PO	unknown	1 hr	unknown

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Instruct patient to take semaglutide as directed. If a PO dose is missed, omit dose and take next dose the following day. Instruct patient in correct technique for injection and disposal of materials. Follow manufacturer's instructions for pen use. Pen should never be shared between patients, even if needle is changed. Administer missed Ozempic doses as soon as remembered within 5 days of missed dose; if >5 days, skip dose and administer next dose on regular scheduled day. Administer missed Wegovy doses as soon as remembered. If 1 dose is missed and next scheduled dose is >2 days away (48 hr), administer Wegovy as soon as possible. If one dose is missed and the next scheduled dose is <2 days away (48 hr), omit dose and resume dosing on regularly scheduled day of wk. If >2 consecutive doses are missed, resume dosing as scheduled or restart Wegovy and follow dose escalation schedule; may reduce occurrence of GI symptoms. Advise patient to read the Medication Guide before starting therapy and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
Advise patient taking insulin and semaglutide to never mix insulin and semaglutide together. Give as 2 separate injections. Both injections may be given in the same body area, but should not be given right next to each other.
Explain to patient that this medication controls hyperglycemia but does not cure diabetes. Therapy is long-term.
Review signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia with patient. If hypoglycemia occurs, advise patient to take a glass of orange juice or 2–3 tsp of sugar, honey, or corn syrup dissolved in water and notify health care professional.
Encourage patient to follow prescribed diet, medication, and exercise regimen to prevent hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episodes.
Instruct patient in proper testing of serum glucose and ketones. These tests should be closely monitored during periods of stress or illness, and health care professional should be notified if significant changes occur.
Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult health care professional before taking any new medications.
Advise patient to notify health care professional and discontinue semaglutide immediately if signs of pancreatitis (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain radiating to back), palpitations while at rest, or hypersensitivity (swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, very rapid heartbeat) occur.
Inform patient of risk of benign and malignant thyroid C-cell tumors. Advise patient to notify health care professional if symptoms of thyroid tumors (lump in neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath) occur.
Advise patient to inform health care professional of medication regimen before treatment or surgery.
Advise patient to carry a form of sugar (sugar packets, candy) and identification describing disease process and medication regimen at all times.
Rep: Insulin is the preferred method of controlling blood glucose during pregnancy. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to discontinue semaglutide in women at least 2 mo before a planned pregnancy to allow for long washout period of semaglutide. Counsel female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Inform patient of pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to semaglutide during pregnancy. Pregnant women exposed to semaglutide and health care professionals are encouraged to contact Novo Nordisk at 1-877-390-2760 or .
Emphasize the importance of routine follow-up exams.

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Indications ⬇