How To Inject Wegovy

Most people are nervous about the first injection and then surprised at how easy it actually is. The Wegovy pen is designed for self injection at home. The needle is short and fine, the dose is pre measured, and the whole process takes under a minute once you have done it a few times.

Before You Start

You will need:

• The Wegovy pen for the current week's dose
• An alcohol swab (optional but helpful)
• A sharps container or similar safe disposal bin

Check the pen:

• Correct dose for your stage of treatment
• Not expired
• Solution is clear and colourless (cloudy or discoloured solution means do not use it)
• Pen has been stored properly

Where To Inject

Three approved sites:

• Abdomen. The most common site. Avoid the 5 cm area immediately around your belly button. Inject into the fatty layer.
• Front of the thigh. The middle outer area of the upper leg.
• Upper arm. Tricky to do yourself. Usually requires someone else to inject if using this site.

Most people choose the abdomen for convenience. Rotate the exact spot week to week, moving at least 2 cm from the previous injection site.

The Step By Step

1. Take the pen out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before

Letting it warm to room temperature makes the injection more comfortable. Do not warm it artificially.

2. Wash your hands

Soap and water. Dry properly.

3. Inspect the pen

Check the dose, the expiry, the solution. Remove the cap. Do not remove the needle cover until just before injecting.

4. Choose and prepare the site

Clean the skin with an alcohol swab if you have one and let it dry. Skin must be dry before injecting.

5. Remove the needle cover

Remove just before injection. Once exposed, do not let the needle touch anything.

6. Press the pen against the skin

Hold the pen flat against the skin at a 90 degree angle. The pen will not work unless pressed firmly against the skin.

7. Press and hold the injection button

Keep pressed until you hear a click and the dose counter returns to zero. This usually takes around five seconds.

8. Remove the pen straight out

Pull the pen away at the same 90 degree angle. A small drop of blood at the injection site is normal. Press gently with a clean tissue if needed.

9. Dispose of the pen safely

Used pens are sharps waste. Put them in a sharps container. If you do not have one, an empty plastic bottle with a screw lid works as a temporary measure. Most pharmacies accept full sharps containers back for disposal.

How To Store Wegovy

Refrigerated

Between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Most home fridges sit in this range, but not the freezer compartment and not in the door (temperature varies more there). Do not freeze. If a pen freezes accidentally, discard it.

Room temperature

An individual pen can be kept at room temperature (below 30 degrees Celsius) for up to 28 days. After that it must be discarded even if unused. Once warmed to room temperature, do not return to the fridge.

Travel

For trips, an insulated travel pouch or small cooler bag keeps pens within range. Avoid direct sun and hot car interiors. For long flights, refrigerated transit packs are widely available. Carry a doctor's letter for international travel.

Side Effects At The Injection Site

Most people have no site reaction at all. Some experience brief redness or itching, a small bruise, or mild tenderness. These usually resolve within a day or two. Rotating sites prevents repeated reactions in the same spot.

Common First Injection Worries

'What if I press the button before the needle is in the skin?'

The pen will not deliver unless pressed firmly against skin. The button is designed to lock until contact is made.

'What if I let go too soon?'

Watch the dose counter. It returns to zero when the full dose has been delivered. If you let go before then, partial dose has been given. Speak to your pharmacist for guidance.

'What if it bleeds a lot?'

Press gently with a tissue. Bleeding usually stops within a minute.

Frequently Asked