Finding that your Ozempic pen isn't working is both frustrating and concerning. So, here's a guide to walk you through common issues that may cause your Ozempic pen to malfunction, along with detailed steps to troubleshoot and resolve these problems. We'll cover:
- What can cause an Ozempic pen to malfunction?
- How to fix an Ozempic pen that's not working?
- How to know if your Ozempic pen is working correctly?
Keep Your Ozempic Pens Cool with 4AllFamily's Ozempic Travel Cases!
Why Is Your Ozempic Pen Not Working?
Ozempic injection pens are designed for ease of use, featuring a dial for dosing and a button for injection. However, like any medical device, they can sometimes malfunction.
Related article: Does Ozempic Need to Be Refrigerated? Storage and Refrigeration Tips!
What Can Cause an Ozempic Pen to Malfunction?
Several issues may cause your Ozempic pen to not work properly, including:
- The dial knob won't turn. This usually indicates the pen is empty or mechanically jammed.
- Broken injection mechanism. Any physical damage to your injector pen, like if dropped on hard floor or handled without care, can cause your Ozempic pen to malfunction.
- Empty reservoir. If your Ozempic pen is out of medication, it won't operate.
- Blocked needle. A clogged needle or a needle that is not screwed correctly to the pen can obstruct the delivery of medication.
- Incorrect injection technique can also make you think your Ozempic pen isn't working.
Related article: How to Use an Ozempic Pen Correctly.
Jammed Ozempic Pen: Troubleshooting Steps
If your Ozempic pen is jammed or not working, you can start by following these easy steps to try and troubleshoot the issue.
- Check the viewing window. Start by ensuring your Ozempic pen is not empty. When your Ozempic pen is empty, it's normal that the dial won't turn. Sometimes, you may see a bit of medicine left inside, but if there's not enough for a full dose, the pen won't work. In that case, dispose of your empty Ozempic pen properly and take a new one from the refrigerator.
- Inspect the needle. A clogged or damaged needle can prevent your Ozempic pen from working. Make sure the needle is properly screwed to the pen. If it looked damaged or clogged, remove it and attach a new one.
- Look for damage. Check your faulty Ozempic pen for any signs of cracks, breaks, or leakage. If the pen looks damaged, do not use it as it could lead to inaccurate semaglutide dosing.
- Never force the pen or plunger. This can damage the mechanism and result in unsafe medication delivery.
Related article: Ozempic Pen Colors: Red vs Blue vs Yellow Explained!
What to Do if Your Ozempic Pen Is Still Not Working?
If your pen still isn't working after following the above steps, do not try to fix it any further. This could lead to improper medication delivery and impact your diabetes treatment. Instead, switch to a new pen.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further guidance and report the malfunction to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic. They may be able to assist you in resolving the issue or provide a replacement pen.
Related article: How to Travel with Ozempic: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
How Do I Know if My Ozempic Pen is Working?
Ozempic pens come with fine needles that are designed for a smooth and painless injection. It is so gentle that you may not feel a thing when injecting Ozempic!
You can confirm that your Ozempic pen has functioned properly and the injection has worked by listening for a clicking sound during the injection. After completing the injection, ensure that the dose counter has returned to zero. This confirms that the full dose has been delivered.
If you have doubts, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or diabetes nurse for advice.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
Have you ever had trouble with an Ozempic pen that was not working correctly? Do you have questions, tips or experiences to share about handling these issues? Please comment below and share your thoughts. Your insights could be invaluable to others facing similar challenges!
Comments
4AllFamily Customer Care said:
Hi Mary,
Thanks for your question. If the dose counter on the Ozempic pen did not return to zero after the injection, it could mean that the dose wasn’t delivered properly or that the pen is faulty.
You didn’t necessarily do anything wrong — sometimes the device mechanism itself can be the issue. The safest next step is to:
Check the injection site to see if any medication leaked out.
Do not try to re-inject with the same pen.
Contact your pharmacist right away for guidance and to report the faulty pen. They can advise whether you should use a new pen for the next dose.
You can also reach out to Novo Nordisk Canada at 1-800-465-4334 to report the issue and ask about a replacement.
You did the right thing by noticing and asking — better to be safe and double-check.
Warm regards,
4allFamily Canada Team
Mary said:
I just administered my partner’s first dose of Ozempic. After pressing the dose button, the dial did NOT turn back to zero. Did I do something wrong, or could it be a faulty pen? What should we do now?
4AllFamily Customer Service said:
Hi Vic,
Thanks for reaching out, and we’re sorry to hear about the issue with your Ozempic pen. You’re absolutely right to be concerned—each pen is supposed to contain the full number of doses based on the dialed amount. If you’ve only got 25 clicks left (which sounds like around half of a 0.5 mg dose), it may indicate the pen wasn’t filled properly or there was a malfunction.
We recommend contacting Novo Nordisk Canada directly to report the issue. They can look into it and may offer a replacement if the pen is confirmed to be defective. You can reach them at 1-800-465-4334 or via their Canadian website: www.novonordisk.ca.
You might also mention this to your pharmacist—they can help report the issue through official channels as well.
Take care,
—The 4AllFamily Canada Team
Vic Krahn said:
My ozempic pen does not have 4 doses in it. I did three no issue but have only 25 clicks on the dial left which I think is 1/2 a . DIN 02471469