Fitaro 0.5mg Injection

Uses of Fitaro 0.5mg Injection

Used for weight loss in specific patients.

How does Fitaro 0.5mg Injection work?

Fitaro 0.5mg Injection contains semaglutide. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 hormone that enhances glycemic control through various mechanisms, including insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and decreasing postprandial glucagon secretion. This drug is frequently paired with dietary and exercise changes. Altogether Fitaro 0.5mg Injection reduces sugar levels in the body.

Side Effects of Fitaro 0.5mg Injection

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite

Quick Suggestions:

• Continue taking  Fitaro 0.5mg Injection even if blood sugar levels are controlled until the doctor advises stopping it. This suggests that the decision to discontinue the medication should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.
• Recommend monitoring blood sugar levels frequently. Regular monitoring is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the medication and making necessary adjustments.
• Monitoring of pancreatic enzymes (lipase and amylase) is recommended. This is likely to ensure early detection of any potential pancreatic issues, as some diabetes medications may affect pancreatic function.
• Take short, frequent meals, and avoid prolonged fasting when taking Fitaro 0.5mg Injection. This advice is likely aimed at helping to stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day.
• Beware of hypoglycemia symptoms, including sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, and frequent urination.
• In case of hypoglycemia symptoms, immediate consumption of 5-6 candies, three glucose biscuits, or three teaspoons of honey/sugar is recommended.
• Individuals are advised to get in touch with their physician whenever experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms.
• Carry candies, glucose biscuits, or honey/sugar at all times, especially during long travels. This ensures that individuals have access to a quick source of glucose to address potential hypoglycemia.

Indications:

Semaglutide is used to treat adults (aged 18 years and older) with type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise are not enough to control blood sugar levels.

Pharmacology

This medication is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. GLP-1 enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion by pancreatic beta-cells, suppresses inappropriately elevated glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying.

Dosage of Fitaro 0.5mg Injection

Adult Dose:

• Initially 0.25 mg SC once weekly for 4 weeks, then increase the dosage to 0.5 mg once weekly.
• If glycemic control is not achieved after at least 4 weeks on the 0.5-mg dose, the dosage can be further increased to 1 mg once weekly.
• No dosage adjustment is required for hepatic impairment.

Child Dose:

• Safety and efficacy have not been established for individuals under 18 years of age.

Renal Dose:

• No dosage adjustment is required for renal impairment.

Administration:

• Route: Administered subcutaneously (SC) into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
• Frequency: Once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of the day, with or without meals.
• Flexibility: The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary, as long as the time between two doses is at least 2 days (>48 hours).
• Injection Site: Use a different injection site each week when injecting in the same body region.

Interaction

• Co-administration with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) or insulin may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Consider lower doses of these agents to reduce the risk.
• Be cautious when administering semaglutide with oral medications, as it can delay gastric emptying and potentially impact the oral absorption of these drugs.

Contraindications

• Do not use in individuals with a personal or family history of MTC (Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma) or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any of the product components is a contraindication.

Pregnancy:

Limited pregnancy data are available. Animal studies suggest potential fetal risks. The use of semaglutide during pregnancy should only be considered if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Discontinue treatment at least 2 months before planned pregnancy due to the long washout period for semaglutide.

Lactation:

There is no data on the presence of semaglutide in human milk, its effects on breastfed infants, or its impact on milk production. In lactating rats, semaglutide was detected in milk at lower levels compared to maternal plasma.

Precautions & Warnings

• Based on animal studies, semaglutide may potentially cause thyroid C-cell tumors, including MTC, in humans. The human relevance of these findings has not been determined.
• Be vigilant for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis (e.g., severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back, with or without vomiting) as acute pancreatitis has been reported in some patients.
• Patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy may be at an increased risk of complications. Rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy.
• Semaglutide pens should not be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed, to avoid the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens.
• Acute kidney injury and worsening of chronic renal failure have been reported in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide. Most of these events occurred in patients who experienced severe adverse gastrointestinal reactions.

Storage Conditions

• Store your Fitaro 0.5mg Injection in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
• After the first use of Fitaro 0.5mg Injection, the pen can be stored for 56 days in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C).
• Do not freeze Fitaro 0.5mg Injection. Do not use it if it has been frozen.
• Unused Fitaro 0.5mg Injection cartridges may be used until the expiration date printed on the label, as long as they are kept in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C).
• Keep Fitaro 0.5mg Injection away from heat.
• Store Fitaro 0.5mg Injection away from direct light.