Noveltreat 0.25 mg Pre-Filled Pen contains semaglutide 0.25mg/0.5mL, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is the starting strength in the Noveltreat range and is used as part of a medically supervised weight-management programme together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Noveltreat is used for chronic weight management in adults and is available in 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg strengths.
The 0.25mg strength is generally used during the initial stage of treatment rather than as the long-term maintenance dose. Semaglutide can reduce hunger, increase fullness and decrease food cravings, which may help lower overall calorie intake.
What is Noveltreat 0.25 mg used for?
Noveltreat 0.25 mg is the introductory strength of semaglutide for weight management.
Semaglutide may help with:
- Reducing hunger
- Increasing feelings of fullness
- Reducing food cravings
- Eating smaller portions
- Lowering overall calorie intake
- Supporting gradual weight loss
- Supporting long-term weight management
Healthdirect explains that GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide can reduce appetite and slow digestion, helping people feel fuller for longer.
The medicine should be used as part of a broader weight-management plan rather than as a replacement for healthy eating and physical activity.
How does It work?
Noveltreat contains semaglutide, which acts in a similar way to the natural hormone GLP-1.
GLP-1 is involved in appetite regulation, digestion and blood glucose control. Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors and can:
- Reduce appetite
- Increase satiety
- Reduce hunger
- Slow gastric emptying
- Reduce food intake
- Support weight reduction
Because you may feel satisfied with smaller amounts of food, it can become easier to maintain a reduced-calorie diet.
Dosage
0.25mg once weekly is the starting dose for Noveltreat weight-management treatment.
Sun Pharma’s approved Noveltreat range progresses through:
| Treatment stage | Semaglutide dose |
| Starting dose | 0.25mg once weekly |
| Next dose | 0.5mg once weekly |
| Further escalation | 1mg once weekly |
| Further escalation | 1.7mg once weekly |
| Maintenance dose | 2.4mg once weekly |
The lower starting dose helps the body gradually adjust to semaglutide and may improve tolerability during the early weeks of treatment.
Do not start with a higher dose or increase the dose yourself. Your doctor should decide when it is appropriate to move to the next strength.
How to use Noveltreat 0.25 mg Pre-Filled Pen
Noveltreat 0.25 mg is given as a subcutaneous injection once a week.
It can generally be injected into:
- Abdomen
- Thigh
- Upper arm
It should not be injected into a vein or muscle.
Important instructions
- Use Noveltreat exactly as prescribed.
- Inject it once weekly on the scheduled day.
- Follow the instructions supplied with the pen.
- Do not change the dose without medical advice.
- Rotate injection areas when appropriate.
- Check the pen before use.
- Do not use a damaged pen.
- Do not share the pen with another person.
The Noveltreat 0.25 mg product shown is a single-dose pre-filled pen. Current product listings identify the pack as containing 2 single-dose pens, rather than one reusable pen containing several weekly doses.
How long does Noveltreat 0.25 mg stay in the body?
Semaglutide has a long duration of action, which allows it to be administered once weekly.
This is also why treatment should not be adjusted by taking extra doses if you feel that the initial dose is not producing enough appetite reduction. The medicine remains in the body for an extended period, so taking additional doses can increase the risk of side effects.
What if you miss a Noveltreat 0.25 mg dose?
For semaglutide weight-management treatment, Australian Wegovy product information allows a missed dose to be taken within 5 days of the scheduled injection day.
If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on your normal scheduled day. Do not inject two doses together.
If you have missed several injections, contact your doctor before restarting because your treatment may need to be adjusted.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of semaglutide involve the digestive system.
Possible effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal discomfort
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
Gastrointestinal effects can be more noticeable when treatment begins or when the weekly dose is increased.
Mild nausea does not necessarily mean that treatment needs to be stopped, but persistent or severe symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare professional.
Serious symptoms
Seek medical attention if you develop:
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe diarrhoea
- Signs of dehydration
- Symptoms of gallbladder disease
- A serious allergic reaction
- Sudden or significant vision changes
Severe abdominal pain can be a warning sign of pancreatitis. Significant fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhoea can also affect kidney function.
Precautions
Tell your doctor if you have or have previously had:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallstones or gallbladder disease
- Severe gastrointestinal problems
- Gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Diabetic retinopathy
- A serious allergy to semaglutide
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma in yourself or your family
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Your doctor should also know about all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take.
Particular care may be required when semaglutide is used with insulin or sulfonylureas because the combination can increase the risk of low blood glucose.
Noveltreat 0.25 mg and pregnancy
Noveltreat should not be used during pregnancy.
If you are planning a pregnancy, speak with your doctor before starting treatment. Australian semaglutide product information recommends stopping semaglutide at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.
Contact your healthcare professional if you become pregnant while using Noveltreat.
Noveltreat 0.25 mg and breastfeeding
The use of semaglutide during breastfeeding should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Do not start or continue Noveltreat during breastfeeding unless your doctor has specifically advised you to do so.
Noveltreat 0.25 mg interactions
Tell your doctor about every prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, supplement and herbal product you use.
Semaglutide slows gastric emptying, which can affect the absorption of some oral medicines.
Extra care may be needed with:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas
- Other diabetes medicines
- Other GLP-1 receptor agonists
- Other semaglutide-containing products
- Medicines that require careful blood-level monitoring
Do not combine Noveltreat with another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Noveltreat 0.25 mg and surgery
Tell your surgeon and anaesthetist that you are using semaglutide before an operation or procedure involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
Semaglutide delays gastric emptying, which can be relevant during anaesthesia. Australian regulators have issued safety information about the potential risk of aspiration associated with GLP-1 medicines.
Your medical team can advise you about whether treatment needs to be adjusted before the procedure.
How to store It
Before use, Noveltreat 0.25 mg should be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C.
Important storage points include:
- Do not freeze.
- Keep away from direct light.
- Keep the pen in its original carton.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Do not use the medicine after its expiry date.
If the pen has been frozen or exposed to unsuitable temperatures, ask a pharmacist whether it is still safe to use.
Noveltreat 0.25 mg and weight loss
The 0.25mg dose is mainly the introduction phase of treatment. It is not designed to provide the same effect as the later maintenance dose.
Some people may notice reduced hunger during the first few weeks, while others may notice little change initially. Individual response varies.
The aim of gradual dose escalation is to allow the body to adjust to semaglutide before higher doses are considered.
Do not increase the dose simply because you want faster weight loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Noveltreat 0.25 mg be continued for longer than four weeks?
The duration at 0.25mg depends on how you respond to treatment and how well you tolerate it. The usual semaglutide weight-management schedule moves from 0.25mg to higher doses, but your doctor may adjust the escalation schedule if you experience troublesome side effects. Do not increase or extend the dose period without medical guidance.
2. Is Noveltreat 0.25mg likely to cause nausea after the first injection?
Nausea can occur after starting semaglutide, although not everyone experiences it. Gastrointestinal effects are among the most common side effects of GLP-1 medicines. If nausea is severe, persistent or accompanied by repeated vomiting, contact your healthcare professional.
3. Can the Noveltreat injection be given before or after a meal?
Yes. Unlike oral semaglutide tablets, Noveltreat is injected under the skin and does not require an empty stomach. It can generally be administered regardless of meals, provided it is taken on the prescribed weekly schedule.
4. Can Noveltreat 0.25mg lower blood sugar in someone without diabetes?
Semaglutide affects glucose regulation as well as appetite. However, the risk of clinically significant low blood sugar is generally more relevant when semaglutide is combined with medicines such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Your doctor should review your medical history before prescribing it.
5. Why does Noveltreat 0.25mg come in a lower strength than the maintenance dose?
The lower starting strength allows the body to gradually adjust to semaglutide. Starting at 0.25mg and increasing the dose progressively can help improve tolerability, particularly for gastrointestinal side effects.
References
- Healthdirect Australia – Wegovy (Healthdirect)
- TGA – Wegovy Product Information (Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))
- Healthdirect Australia – Weight loss medicines (Healthdirect)
- Healthdirect Australia – Semaglutide safety information (Healthdirect)
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always follow the prescription, current product information and instructions supplied with your medicine.
