Key takeaways

  • Ozempic (semaglutide) is injected once weekly under the skin of your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. Your doctor will show you how to do this before your first dose.
  • To prevent skin issues, rotate your injection site, choosing a different location each week. You can inject Ozempic at any time of day, but aim for the same day each week.
  • Although Ozempic is not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for weight loss, you may lose weight during treatment. The injection area you choose is unlikely to affect the drug’s effectiveness.

Ozempic is a prescription medication given by injection under the skin for people with type 2 diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe Ozempic along with diet and exercise to help lower your blood sugar. Ozempic is also approved to help:

  • reduce your risk of certain heart conditions if you have known heart disease and type 2 diabetes
  • prevent the progression of kidney disease and fatal heart problems if you have chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes

Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonist (also called GLP-1 agonists). Ozempic is a liquid solution that comes in prefilled auto-injector pens.

This article answers some commonly asked questions about where to inject Ozempic and includes an Ozempic injection site diagram. To learn more about Ozempic, including details about its uses, you can refer to this Ozempic overview.

You’ll use your prescribed Ozempic pen to inject the drug subcutaneously (under your skin). You can use the following injection sites for Ozempic (see also the diagram below):

  • abdomen (between your chest and groin)
  • thigh
  • upper arm

Do not inject Ozempic into a muscle or a vein. (These methods are also called intramuscular or intravenous injections.)

Your doctor will show you how to use your Ozempic pen and where to inject it before your first dose. You may also read about recommended injection sites in the “Instructions for Use” section of Ozempic’s prescribing information or watch the drugmaker’s video on how to give Ozempic injections.

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for using Ozempic. Let them know if you have questions as you start treatment. If you have general questions about using an injection pen, consider asking your local pharmacist.

Note: If you use Ozempic and insulin, inject the medications separately. Do not mix them in the same injection. You may inject them in the same body region, but do not inject them next to each other. If you have questions about injecting Ozempic and insulin, talk with your doctor for more information.

self-injections for OzempicShare on Pinterest

You should rotate your injection site each week. This means choosing a site you didn’t use for your last injection. For example, if you used your right thigh the previous time, your next injection could be in your left thigh or another recommended site.

If you inject in the same body region, always use a different spot in that area each week.

Medical perspective

“Here are a few practical strategies to make injections smoother, less intimidating, and more comfortable:

  • Practice without medication: Use a demo pen or practice device to familiarize yourself with the feel and steps before your first real dose. (Ask your doctor about demo pens and practice devices.)
  • Pair with a calming ritual: Listen to soothing music, chat with a friend, or do deep breathing before and during the injection.
  • Sit, don’t stand: Sitting can help you feel more stable and relaxed, especially if you’re prone to lightheadedness.
  • Pinch the skin: For subcutaneous injections, gently pinching a fold of skin can help ensure proper depth and reduce discomfort.”

— Andrew Cox, PharmD, MBA

Learn how to give a subcutaneous injection.

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Ozempic studies show the highest amount of semaglutide in the body is reached 1 to 3 days after the injection. It doesn’t matter if you inject it into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm — your body absorbs about the same amount of the medication. So, Ozempic is expected to be effective regardless of whether it’s injected into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

If you experience discomfort during Ozempic injections, your doctor may want to check your technique. They can also recommend ways to reduce any discomfort.

The FDA has not approved Ozempic for weight loss. Even so, you may lose some weight when taking it for its approved uses.

Doctors sometimes prescribe Ozempic off-label for some people to help with weight loss. Off-label use is when doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or help prevent.

If you have questions about weight management, you can ask your doctor about treatment options, such as Wegovy. The FDA approved Wegovy for weight management (combined with diet and exercise) and certain other conditions. Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is the same active ingredient as Ozempic. If your doctor prescribes Wegovy for you, they can help choose an appropriate injection site.

Note: Do not use Ozempic with other medications containing semaglutide or other GLP-1 agonists.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.