Written and medically assessed by W. van Donselaar, MD, BIG 79020681301, on 29-05-2026.
Ozempic contains one active ingredient: semaglutide. It also contains a few excipients. These keep the liquid in the pen stable and safe. Would you like to know exactly what you are injecting, for example because you have an allergy or intolerance? Then find the full composition below, with an explanation of what each component does.
Active substance: semaglutide
Semaglutide is the drug that does the job. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonists. That is a group of drugs that mimics a body's own intestinal hormone. That hormone helps regulate your blood sugar and dampen your hunger.
Semaglutide is made in a laboratory. Yeast cells produce the protein. It is then purified and processed into a solution for use in the pen. No animal material is involved.
Ozempic comes in four strengths:
- 0.25 mg (starting dose to get used to)
- 0.5 mg
- 1 mg
- 2 mg (highest dose)
The excipients
Besides semaglutide, it contains four excipients. Each has a function:
| Excipient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate | Keeps acidity stable, so the remedy remains good |
| Propylene glycol | Ensures correct moisture balance in the solution |
| Phenol | Preservative, keeps pen free of bacteria after opening |
| Water for injections | The base liquid in which everything is dissolved |
These substances are standard in many injection liquids. They are in small, safe amounts in the pen. European registration has approved those quantities.
Why is there phenol in it?
Phenol may sound crazy in a medicine. Yet it has an important task. It is a preservative. You use an opened pen for up to 56 days. During that period, phenol keeps the liquid free of bacteria. Without such an agent, the pen would not be safe to use after opening.
The amount of phenol is small. It is tailored to the small volume you inject at a time. A natural alternative without a preservative is not safer. With injection fluid, a preservative is actually needed to prevent contamination. You can read more about storing your pen in Storing Ozempic after opening.
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Ozempic and allergy or intolerance
The excipients contain no lactose and no gluten. It also contains no animal material. For most people with food allergies or intolerances, this is reassuring.
Still, if you have a known allergy, check beforehand. A doctor or pharmacy can put your medical history alongside the adjuvant profile. This belongs to a healthcare provider, not a search on forums. If you have a true hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the excipients, you should not use the drug.
Also note this: do not compare the ingredients with a product ordered online or formulated by yourself. Only the official Ozempic pen has a documented and verified profile. For full product information see the Ozempic medication review.
Do the check If you want to know whether a trajectory with Ozempic injections suits you. When in doubt about an ingredient, we look at it together.
More on what's in Ozempic
Does Ozempic contain animal ingredients?
Does Ozempic contain animal ingredients?
No. Semaglutide is made with yeast cells in a laboratory. The pen contains no animal ingredients. Do you have specific dietary or religious requirements? If so, coordinate with your pharmacy.
Can I use Ozempic with lactose or gluten intolerance?
Can I use Ozempic with lactose or gluten intolerance?
Yes, you can. The excipients contain no lactose and no gluten. In doubt about another intolerance? If so, consult your doctor or pharmacy.
Why is there phenol in a medicine?
Why is there phenol in a medicine?
Phenol is a preservative. It keeps the solution free of bacteria for up to 56 days after opening. The amount is small and falls within the safe limits of European registration.