Wegovy injection sites and pen use

Nothing to mix

Every Wegovy injection holds a clear, colorless solution with a pH of about 7.4, ready to use as supplied.¹ In single-dose pens and syringes the inactive ingredients are disodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride and water for injection; the FlexTouch solution has disodium phosphate dihydrate, phenol, propylene glycol and water for injection.¹ On single-dose pens the dose is already set and the needle is hidden inside the needle cover, so there is nothing to draw up or measure.¹

Presentations

Choosing a Wegovy injection site

The label names three areas: the stomach area (abdomen), the thigh and the upper arm.¹ Similar drug levels are reached from all three, and the injection goes under the skin, never into a muscle or vein.¹ For each Wegovy injection site, the pen instructions say to avoid skin that is tender, bruised, red or hard, or that has scars or stretch marks.¹ In the lower stomach, they say to stay at least 2 inches from the belly button.¹ With the prefilled syringe, the back of the upper arm should only be used with help from someone else.¹

Rotating sites

The site changes with every dose: the same body area may be used each week, but not the same spot.¹ General patient guides suggest spacing injections at least 1 inch apart and keeping a chart of spots already used.⁵⁶ The NHS adds that people who also inject insulin should inject semaglutide in a different place from the insulin.⁷

Using each presentation

Single-dose pen

The pen is pressed firmly against the skin.¹ Two clicks are heard, and the injection takes about 5 to 10 seconds.¹ The pen stays pressed until the yellow bar in the window stops moving, which the instructions use to confirm the full dose was given.¹

Prefilled syringe

A fold of skin is pinched, the needle goes fully in at a 45-degree angle, and the plunger is pushed all the way down.¹

FlexTouch pen

Only 2.4 mg doses can be dialed, and one pen gives 4 doses.¹ A new needle is attached for every injection, and the flow is checked before the first dose from each new pen.¹ Sharing a FlexTouch pen is ruled out even when the needle is changed, since it can spread blood-borne infections.¹ The label does not recommend it for self-injection by people with visual impairment.¹

Before each injection

A healthcare provider trains the patient on the specific presentation before first use, and again if the prescribed presentation changes.¹ The solution is checked each time and used only if it is clear, colorless and free of particles.¹ General patient guides also advise washing hands with soap and running water and checking the label for the right medicine and dose.⁵

Taking the tablets

Wegovy tablets are not injected. One tablet is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, with up to 4 ounces of plain water.¹ It is swallowed whole, not split, crushed or chewed, and food, drinks and other oral medicines then wait at least 30 minutes.¹ The tablets are white to light yellow and debossed with the strength and "novo".¹

Storage

• Single-dose pens and syringes. These are kept in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F), in the original carton to protect them from light.¹ They are not frozen or stored next to the refrigerator's cooling element.¹
• When to discard them. A pen or syringe is thrown away if it has frozen or been exposed to light or to temperatures above 86°F (30°C).¹ The same applies after 28 days or longer out of the refrigerator.¹
• FlexTouch. It is refrigerated before first use, then kept for up to 56 days at 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) or in the refrigerator.¹ It is stored with the cap on and no needle attached.¹
• Tablets. They are kept at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), in the original closed bottle in a dry place, which protects them from moisture.¹

Disposal

Used pens and syringes go into an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away.¹ If no cleared container is at hand, FDA says a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a laundry detergent bottle, can be used.²³ It must be leak-resistant, stay upright and have a tight, puncture-resistant lid.²³ FDA says loose needles never go into household or public trash, recycling bins or the toilet.²⁸ Sharps containers are not reused, and they are kept out of reach of children and pets.⁴

Related pages

The Wegovy profile gives the overview, and Wegovy dosage the full label schedule. Injection site reaction rates are in Wegovy side effects, and trial results in Wegovy benefits and uses. For the general method behind prescribed shots under the skin, see How subcutaneous injections are given.