Jack Health Weight Loss
Program:
We’re glad you’re here.
We want to thank you for choosing Jack Health. This webpage overviews the most important information about your Ozempic prescription:
Continue scrolling or click on the above links to navigate to the specific section.
Ozempic is an injection with a very small needle (like a pinprick) taken weekly that helps control appetite and blood sugar levels. Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide which is a type of drug known as a GLP1. It works by helping the pancreas release a controlled amount of hormones, which slows the rate of food leaving the stomach, leaving you fuller for longer. This helps prevent overeating and hunger pangs.
The longer you keep at it, the more success you’ll see.
In order to see results, it’s important to take it around the same time on the same day each week. When you combine Ozempic with dietary and exercise changes, you’ll find successful weight loss even quicker. Soon, you’ll be hitting your goals with no fear of falling back into old habits. Consistency is always the key, so remember that lifestyle changes need to be continued even after you’re no longer on Ozempic to maintain your healthier weight.
Here’s how to use the medication
Before using the pen for the first time, be sure to follow the priming instructions illustrated in the pamphlet that is included with the medication.
Inject 1 dose of Ozempic once a week (on the same day each week) into the fat of your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh.
Store the pen with the cap on and without a needle. Always use a new needle for each injection and dispose of the old needles in a sharps container.
Your dosage will slowly increase until you hit a maintenance dose as set by your health provider. Your prescription of Ozempic contains enough medicine for 30 days. Below is a dosing schedule to guide you through the starting dosage of 0.25 mg to the dosage of 1.0 mg (max maintenance dose).
Take only your prescribed dose. If you think you’ve taken more, contact your doctor or a hospital immediately, even with no symptoms.
If it’s been 5 days or less since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s been 6 or more days, skip the dose and take it at your normal date and time.
Take only your prescribed dose. If you think you’ve taken more, contact your doctor or a hospital immediately, even with no symptoms.
If it’s been 5 days or less since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s been 6 or more days, skip the dose and take it at your normal date and time.
New and unused Ozempic should be stored in the fridge. A pen that has been used should be stored at room temperature, for 8 weeks. After that, it should be disposed of.
If you are taking Insulin, in addition to your Ozempic, you may be at a higher risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Please reach out to our medical team or your family doctor as your dose of insulin may need to be adjusted.
Protect Ozempic from excessive heat and light. Do not freeze and do not use Ozempic if it has been frozen. Keep the pen cap on when not in use in order to protect it from light.
Recommended Storage Conditions for Ozempic
| Prior to first use | After first use |
| Refrigerated 2°C to 8°C until expiration date | Room Temperature below 30°C or refrigerated 2°C to 8°C for 8 weeks |
New and unused Ozempic should be stored in the fridge. A pen that has been used should be stored at room temperature, or in the fridge for 8 weeks. After that, it should be disposed of.
Always remove the injection needle immediately after each injection and store Ozempic without a needle attached. This may prevent blocked needles, contamination, infection, leakage of solution and inaccurate dosing.
Ozempic should not be used if it does not appear clear and colourless.
Remember, this medication is just for you. Side effects can occur, but not everyone gets them.
Most common side effects:
- Abdominal pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
These effects occur most often with a dose increase and usually go away over time.
Other side effects:
- low blood sugar, headache, tiredness, fast heartbeat, feeling nervous/anxious/weak, dizziness and/or stomach pain.
Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): trembling or shaking hands, fast heartbeat, cool pale skin, sweating, anxiety, hunger, nausea and tingling, difficulty concentrating, confusion, weakness, blurry vision, headache and dizziness.
If you notice a few of these symptoms eat a small snack with at least 15g of carbs (e.g. 1 small apple, 1/2 a banana, 1 slice of toast, 1/2 cup of orange juice) and it should resolve in 15-20 minutes.
If you experience any of these side effects to an extreme degree or for an extended period of time, stop taking the medication and contact us.
Serious side effects:
- Change in the way food or drink tastes
- Severe low blood sugar (confusion, passing out)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis and swelling
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): persistent intense stomach pain (usually right below your rib cage, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea). If you experience these, please proceed to your local emergency room and let them know you are taking Ozempic.
Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): breathing problems, swelling of face lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing and a fast heartbeat. Seek immediate medical attention if you get any of these symptoms.
Ozempic is contraindicated if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MENS2) or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are sick, cold/flu/covid/gastro, please skip your dose until you are feeling better.
Alcohol: If you are going to be having more than a drink or 2 in one day, we recommend skipping your dose for that day as alcohol also decreases your blood sugar along with the medication.
Drug interactions:
Since Ozempic causes an increase in heart rate, be cautious when taking Ozempic with other drugs that also increase heart rate. It is not known how Ozempic interacts with drugs that prolong the PR interval (the time it takes for a signal to travel from the upper to lower chambers of your heart), such as antiarrhythmics, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and HIV protease inhibitors. As a result, be cautious when taking Ozempic with these drugs.
How do I get my prescription?
Once your prescription is ready you can either pick it up at our on site location (Unit 400-2620 Bristol Cir, Oakville, ON L6H 6Z7) or have your medication delivered monthly to your home for free. We ship across Canada to all regions except for: New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, and Yukon. Once your order has been processed, you’ll be provided with a tracking number and can expect your delivery within 2-5 days.
How to get a refill:
When you receive your first prescription, the pharmacy team will contact you via email to ask you for consent to be enrolled in auto-fill for your next refills every 1-3 months as long as you remain on the program. Alternatively you can email the pharmacy team at pharmacy@jackhealth.ca, or by reach them by phone at 905-291-7970 to request a refill. Please do so 1 week before your next refill is due to ensure you receive your medication on time.
How does follow up work?
Every month you will have scheduled check-ins with one of our allied health professionals, but you can reach out anytime on the medical chat through your account if you have questions about the medication, dosage, side effects etc. Every three months you’ll also get your bloodwork completed, so the medical team can monitor your liver and kidneys.
All patients are put on a three-month subscription. After the first three months, you’ll decide whether you’d like to continue on the medication.
Generally, it is recommended that clients that start with medications should stay on the medication for 6 months to a year to stabilize weight maintenance before coming off of medication. There is no set date to stop the medication, but in the clinical trials studying these treatments, the medications were taken for 1 year. After 1 year, some people may choose to continue to take the medications for weight maintenance. Our medical team can help you transition to a maintenance program once you achieve your goal weight.
Can I drink alcohol while on this medication?
If you are going to be having more than a drink or 2 in one day, it is recommended to skip your dose for that day as alcohol also decreases your blood sugar along with the medication.
What if I get sick with a flu or flu like symptoms while on treatment?
If you are sick, with cold, flu, or covid like symptoms, please skip your dose until you are feeling better. If you’re off for more than 3 days drop down 2 dose levels and increase back up to where you were over the next few days/week.
What are some signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) ?
The monthly subscription is for access to the allied health team which includes a registered dietician, kinesiologist and social worker. As you progress through the program they will help you with your weight loss goals and address any questions or concerns you may have. You need to stay subscribed to the program in order to get the prescription and the cost is $40/month.
What are some signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)?
We usually do not change medication within the first 3 months unless a client has developed severe allergies or side effects. This is because it is too early to know if the medication is truly working before the 3 month mark. At your 3 month bloodwork review, the nurse practitioner will assess the effects of your medication.
It’s important to remember diet and exercise must be combined with the medication in order to see results and optimizing these should be done before considering a medication switch.
Do I need to exercise?
Yes, exercise is very important to ensure that the weight does not rebound back after discontinuing Saxenda. You must continue to eat healthy and maintain your exercise routine. If you haven’t started some form of exercise, this is very helpful for helping maintain your weight loss.
Generally, it is recommended that clients that start with medications should stay on the medication for 6 months to a year to stabilize weight maintenance before coming off of medication. There is no set date to stop the medication, but in the clinical trials studying these treatments, the medications were taken for 1 year. After 1 year, some people may choose to continue to take the medications for weight maintenance. Our medical team can help you transition to a maintenance program once you achieve your goal weight.
For general questions, you can reach us at: hello@jack.health or by chatting with us on our website.
If you have questions about your prescription or dosage, you can contact our pharmacists at pharmacy@jackhealth.ca or by phone at 905-291-7970.
For other medical questions, like side effects, log into your account and head to the Medical Chat tab.
“I’ve lost 30 lbs in the past two months. It’s really easy to inject (and doesn’t hurt) and it has completely curbed my cravings. Now I eat to fuel myself. Another 70 lbs to go but I’m feeling excited about my weight loss for the first time.”
”The program has stopped my bored snacking – I used to have trouble saying no to treats during the work day and after dinner. Now I’m better able to manage my appetite, and combined with starting to go to the gym and being more careful about what I eat at meals, I’m losing about one pound a week. I’m thinking this is the last diet I’m going to have to do. Hopefully ever.”
(US)
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