Pen and syringe guide / Ozempic
Ozempic Pens: Doses per Pen, Needle Size, and Syringes
Ozempic comes in pens that hold several doses and in single-dose prefilled syringes. You set a pen dose with its dose counter. The instructions for use (the leaflet that comes with the pen) say not to count pen clicks.
Last updated
- Medicine
- Semaglutide
- Forms on the label
- 2
Every form on the label
Each form, its strength, and how much liquid one dose is.
| Form | Strength | mg per mL | Doses | Liquid per dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| multi-dose pen | 2 mg / 3 mL, 0.25 mg dose | 0.68 mg/mL | 4 × 0.25 mg + 2 × 0.5 mg, or 4 × 0.5 mg | 0.37 mL |
| multi-dose pen | 2 mg / 3 mL, 0.5 mg dose | 0.68 mg/mL | 4 × 0.25 mg + 2 × 0.5 mg, or 4 × 0.5 mg | 0.74 mL |
| multi-dose pen | 4 mg / 3 mL | 1.34 mg/mL | 4 × 1 mg | 0.75 mL |
| multi-dose pen | 8 mg / 3 mL | 2.68 mg/mL | 4 × 2 mg | 0.75 mL |
| single-dose syringe | 0.25 mg / 0.5 mL | 0.50 mg/mL | 1 dose | 0.50 mL |
| single-dose syringe | 0.5 mg / 0.5 mL | 1.00 mg/mL | 1 dose | 0.50 mL |
| single-dose syringe | 1 mg / 0.5 mL | 2.00 mg/mL | 1 dose | 0.50 mL |
Pens and syringes
Ozempic pens that hold several doses come in 2 mg/3 mL, 4 mg/3 mL and 8 mg/3 mL. The 2 mg/3 mL pen gives either four 0.25 mg doses plus two 0.5 mg doses, or four 0.5 mg doses. The 4 mg/3 mL pen gives four 1 mg doses. The 8 mg/3 mL pen gives four 2 mg doses.
The single-dose prefilled syringes come in 0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 0.5 mg/0.5 mL and 1 mg/0.5 mL. There is no 2 mg syringe on the label. The 2 mg pen box comes with 6 NovoFine Plus needles. The 4 mg and 8 mg boxes come with 4 each. You can use NovoFine Plus, NovoFine or other needles that fit the pen, up to 8 mm long. Use a new needle for every injection.
These are the forms Ozempic comes in. They aren’t a menu for changing your treatment. Your prescriber and the current label decide which one is right.
Needle size and when a pen is empty
The pen instructions say NovoFine Plus 32G 4 mm needles are included in the box. NovoFine Plus, NovoFine or other compatible needles up to 8 mm long can also be used. Ask your healthcare professional about which needles fit.
To see how much is left, the pen instructions say to turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops. If the counter can reach your prescribed dose, enough medicine remains for that dose. If it stops before your prescribed dose, do not use that pen; use a new Ozempic pen. A pen in use is thrown away 56 days after first use, even if some medicine is left.
Dose increases and missed doses
The Ozempic label starts at 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg. If blood sugar needs more control after at least 4 weeks at 0.5 mg, the next step on the label is 1 mg. After at least 4 weeks at 1 mg, the next step is 2 mg. The most the label allows is 2 mg a week. For people using it for chronic kidney disease, the dose to stay on (the maintenance dose) is 1 mg, after at least 4 weeks at 0.5 mg.
This is the schedule from the label. It isn’t advice to start, raise or change a dose. If you miss a dose, the label says to take it as soon as you can within 5 days. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and go back to your usual day. You can change your injection day as long as the doses are more than 48 hours apart.
Where to inject and how to store it
The label lists the belly (abdomen), thigh or upper arm. It says to use a different spot each week within the same area. Before first use, keep pens in the fridge at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) until the expiration date, and don’t freeze them. After first use, a pen can be kept for 56 days at 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) or in the fridge, with the cap on and no needle attached. Keep prefilled syringes in the fridge. If needed, they can be kept at 8–30 °C (46–86 °F) for up to 28 days, away from light.
Common questions
How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?
The 2 mg/3 mL pen gives four 0.25 mg doses plus two 0.5 mg doses, or four 0.5 mg doses. The 4 mg/3 mL pen gives four 1 mg doses. The 8 mg/3 mL pen gives four 2 mg doses.
What size are Ozempic pens?
The current Ozempic label lists 3 mL pens only: 2 mg/3 mL, 4 mg/3 mL and 8 mg/3 mL.
What needle size comes with Ozempic?
The pen instructions say NovoFine Plus 32G 4 mm needles are included. NovoFine Plus, NovoFine or other compatible needles up to 8 mm long can also be used. Ask your healthcare professional about compatibility, and use a new needle for every injection.
How do I know when my Ozempic pen is empty?
Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops. If the counter can reach your prescribed dose, enough medicine remains for that dose. If it stops before your prescribed dose, do not use that pen; use a new Ozempic pen. A pen in use is thrown away 56 days after first use, even if some medicine is left.
Does Ozempic come in a 2 mg prefilled syringe?
No. The Ozempic label lists prefilled syringes of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg per 0.5 mL. There is no 2 mg syringe.
Can I count Ozempic pen clicks?
No. The Ozempic instructions for use say not to count the pen clicks. Use the dose counter and follow the product instructions.
How long is an Ozempic pen kept after first use?
The label says 56 days, as long as the pen is stored the way the label describes.
More on the math
Pens don’t use syringe units. If you draw from a vial, these explain the math.
Sources
The medical and device facts on this page come from these sources. We accessed them on September 28, 2026.
- 01 Ozempic (semaglutide) US Prescribing Information · Novo Nordisk, 05/2026. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- 02 Technical Data Sheet – Insulin Syringes · embecta, Rev B, 12/2025. Accessed 2026-09-28.
Medically reviewed by Ashley Alexis, NDLast reviewed How we review