What happens if you take old Ozempic? Risks of using expired semaglutide

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a drug's expiration date marks the point up to which the manufacturer guarantees its full potency and safety. Therefore, using expired Ozempic is strongly discouraged due to potential degradation of the active ingredient, semaglutide, and the unpredictable consequences that may follow.

Quick Summary

Taking old or expired Ozempic can significantly reduce the medication's effectiveness, leading to poorer management of diabetes or weight loss. Risks also include potential contamination, injection site infections, and unknown side effects from degraded chemical compounds, making it crucial to always adhere to the expiration and beyond-use dates.

Key Points

Reduced Effectiveness: Expired Ozempic's active ingredient, semaglutide, can degrade over time, leading to lower potency and ineffective blood sugar control or weight management.
Infection Risk: Injectable medications can become contaminated with bacteria after their expiration date, especially if preservatives lose their strength, increasing the risk of injection site infections.
Unpredictable Reactions: The chemical breakdown of expired semaglutide can create unknown byproducts that may cause unexpected side effects or allergic reactions.
Visual Inspection is Key: Always check the solution in your Ozempic pen before use; it should be clear and colorless. Discard it if it appears cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
Never Use If Frozen: If an Ozempic pen has been frozen, do not use it, even after it thaws. Freezing destroys the medication's protein structure, rendering it ineffective.
Observe 'Beyond-Use' Date: In addition to the manufacturer's expiration date, remember that an opened Ozempic pen is only good for 56 days, regardless of the printed expiration date.
Contact Your Provider: If you realize you have used an expired Ozempic pen, contact your healthcare provider immediately to monitor your condition and receive a new prescription.

Expired Ozempic is a major patient safety concern, and understanding why you should never use it is critical for managing your health. While some solid medications may remain stable past their expiration date, injectable, protein-based drugs like Ozempic are particularly sensitive to degradation and can lose their efficacy and safety much more quickly. This is not just a matter of the medication losing a bit of its power; for individuals relying on Ozempic to manage serious health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, the consequences could be severe.

The primary risks of using expired Ozempic

There are three main reasons why using expired Ozempic is dangerous, all stemming from the fact that the manufacturer can no longer guarantee the product's safety or efficacy.

Loss of effectiveness

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is a peptide-based drug, meaning it is made up of amino acid chains that can break down over time. This process is accelerated by exposure to factors like heat and light. When the drug loses its potency, it may no longer be effective in controlling blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes. For individuals using Ozempic for weight management, reduced effectiveness could mean they don't experience the full appetite-suppressing benefits.

Increased risk of infection

Injectable medications like Ozempic must remain sterile to prevent contamination. As the product ages, the preservative components can degrade, making the solution more susceptible to microbial growth. Injecting contaminated Ozempic can lead to serious complications, including injection site infections and, in rare cases, systemic infections. A compromised immune system, often a factor in people with diabetes, could make these infections more severe.

Unpredictable side effects

Beyond just losing potency, the chemical breakdown of semaglutide can produce new, potentially harmful byproducts. Since manufacturers only test the drug's stability up to the expiration date, there is no way to know what effects these new compounds could have on the body. This could lead to unknown or unexpected side effects, or a higher risk of injection site reactions. In rare cases, these degraded protein molecules could even trigger an immune response.

Visual signs of expired or spoiled Ozempic

In addition to checking the expiration date printed on the pen and box, it is crucial to visually inspect the liquid before injecting. The solution inside a new or properly stored Ozempic pen should be clear and colorless. If you notice any of the following, discard the pen immediately:

Cloudy or discolored solution
Visible particles, flecks, or clumps floating in the liquid
The liquid appears frozen, or the pen has been stored in a freezer

Proper storage vs. expiration

Proper storage is essential for maintaining the integrity of Ozempic, but it cannot extend its expiration date. There are two key dates to remember for Ozempic pens: the manufacturer's expiration date for unopened pens and the 'beyond-use' date for opened pens.

Storage guidelines for Ozempic

Unopened pens: Store in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) until the expiration date printed on the label.
Opened pens: Can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature (59°F to 86°F) for a maximum of 56 days.
Never freeze Ozempic: If the medication freezes, discard it, even if it thaws. Freezing damages the protein-based medication, rendering it ineffective.
Protect from light and heat: Keep pens in their original carton and away from direct sunlight or excessive heat.

Comparison of Risks: Taking Expired Ozempic vs. Other Medications


Aspect	Expired Oral Medications (e.g., painkillers)	Expired Injectable Biologics (e.g., Ozempic)
Primary Risk	Often reduced potency, less effective treatment.	High risk of reduced potency and potential for contamination.
Stability	Many are chemically stable and may retain some potency for years.	Very sensitive to time, temperature, and light; degrades faster.
Toxicity	Generally low risk of becoming toxic.	While not proven to be highly toxic, degradation can produce unknown compounds with uncertain effects.
Contamination	Less prone to bacterial growth, especially in solid form.	Higher risk of microbial growth due to the injectable liquid formulation and breakdown of preservatives.
Accidental Use	May not be dangerous but should be replaced for full effectiveness.	Accidental use should prompt a call to a healthcare provider due to unpredictable safety and effectiveness.

Conclusion

When it comes to your health, taking chances with expired medication is not worth the risk. Using old Ozempic, or any expired medication for that matter, can result in ineffective treatment, potential infection, and unpredictable side effects. The FDA strictly regulates drug expiration dates for a reason, guaranteeing the product's safety and potency only up to that point. For critical treatments like diabetes management, it is essential to adhere to these guidelines and properly dispose of any expired medication. If you have questions about your Ozempic or accidentally used an expired pen, consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider immediately for guidance. Your health and safety depend on it.

For more information on safe medication practices, refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidelines on expired medicines.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not safe. The expiration date is the last day the manufacturer guarantees the product's full potency and safety. Injectable medications like Ozempic are sensitive, and it's not worth the risk for even a few days past the expiration date.

If you accidentally used an expired dose, do not panic. Stop using the expired medication immediately, and contact your healthcare provider. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you have diabetes and watch for any unusual symptoms.

There is no safe timeframe for using Ozempic past its expiration date. Beyond the date printed on the packaging, the manufacturer provides no assurance of the drug's safety or effectiveness.

Yes, improper storage can cause Ozempic to lose its effectiveness even before the expiration date. Unopened pens must be refrigerated, while opened pens should be stored at a stable room temperature or in the fridge for up to 56 days. Extreme temperatures and light exposure accelerate degradation.

While it may not always cause immediate harm, expired Ozempic is risky. The primary danger is that it may be less effective, which is particularly concerning for those with Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, there is a risk of infection from bacterial growth and unknown side effects from degraded chemical compounds.

You should dispose of expired Ozempic pens in an FDA-approved sharps container. Never throw them in the regular trash. Many pharmacies also participate in drug take-back programs for safe disposal.

If your Ozempic pen was ever frozen, you must discard it. The freezing process damages the active ingredient, semaglutide, causing it to clump and become ineffective. Do not attempt to use it, even if it has thawed.