Where and how to inject Wegovy: the best Wegovy injection sites
Key highlights
- Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved subcutaneous injection prescribed for chronic weight management in obese and overweight individuals.
- The stomach, outer part of the upper thigh, and the upper arm are the recommended injection sites for subcutaneous administration. Do not inject the pen into a vein or muscle.
- There is no best place to inject Wegovy. All recommended Wegovy injection sites offer similar absorption.
- In case you experience unusual reactions which do not go away for some time, speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice.
- You should administer the injection properly to receive the full benefit from each dose of Wegovy.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection approved by the Food and Drug Administration for chronic weight management. It is prescribed to patients with obesity (body mass index of 30 or more) and overweight (body mass index of 27 or more) with a weight-related condition like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide, the active ingredient of Wegovy, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps reduce appetite and regulates blood sugar levels.
Wegovy comes in single-dose pre-filled injection pens for weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) administration. Parts of the body with a considerable fatty layer are recommended sites for subcutaneous injections. Make sure to inject Wegovy properly to maximize its benefits. Inform your healthcare professional immediately if you experience swelling, redness, or pain that does not go away. Also, Wegovy must not be given to people with a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
Learn more about the recommended injection sites for Wegovy and a step-by-step guide on how to inject Wegovy properly for the best weight loss results in combination with a low-calorie diet and physical activity.
Where to inject Wegovy
The stomach, upper arm, and the outer side of the upper thigh are recommended sites for Wegovy administration. These Wegovy injection sites are recommended because of their fatty layer that ensures readily absorption of the weight loss drug into the bloodstream. Select the site that seems the most convenient for the first-time injection and alternate the location every week to avoid injection-site reactions.
Stomach: The abdomen or stomach is the most preferred site of injection among users because of its easy reach. When injecting Wegovy into the stomach, the area below your ribs and above the hip, at least 2 inches away from the belly button is the best choice because the belly button is a connective tissue called fascia that cannot absorb medication.
Upper arm: Besides the stomach, the side or the back of the upper arm is a good choice for injecting Wegovy. Administer the Wegovy pen 3 inches above the elbow and 3 inches below the shoulder. It is a suitable option when someone else is administering the injection pen for you.
Thigh: The outer area of the upper thigh also contains considerable amount of fat, making it a suitable choice for Wegovy administration.
Where is the best spot to inject Wegovy?
Clinical trials have not shown the superiority of one Wegovy injection location over the other. While studies show a slightly higher absorption in the stomach than upper legs and arms, healthcare professionals mention that does not make a significant difference. Rotating the injection sites for Wegovy every week can help prevent serious side effects like injection-site reactions.
How to inject Wegovy
Injecting Wegovy is convenient because of the pen design, but you must follow the instructions shared by your healthcare provider. Before injecting the pen, check the expiration date on the back of the pen, confirm the prescribed dose, and see if the medicine is clear and colorless in the pen window. Air bubbles are normal in the Wegovy injection and do not affect your dose. Once you’ve checked everything, here’s what you need to do:
1. Gather supplies
To inject Wegovy properly, it is best to have all the supplies within reach. You will need:
- A new Wegovy pen
- Alcohol swab
- Gauze pad or cotton ball
- Sharps disposal container
2. Select and clean the injection site
Once you have all the necessary items with you, it’s time to select and prepare the injection site. If you’re injecting Wegovy for the first time, you can pick any of the three recommended locations (upper thigh, upper arm, or abdomen). It is best to alternate the location to prevent lipodystrophy and other skin problems. You can inject Wegovy in the same area every time but avoid the same spot. Also, avoid bruised, scarred, hard, tender, or an inflamed area.
Wash your hands and dry them or use a sanitizer. Then, clean the Wegovy injection site with an alcohol swab. You can use soap and water if you do not have alcohol swabs. Let it dry and do not touch or blow on the clean area.
3. Remove the pen cap
After the area dries properly and you’re ready to inject, remove the cap from the Wegovy pen. You’ll observe that the needle is hidden in the needle cover. After pulling the pen cap, throw it away.
4. Inject Wegovy
Push the opened pen against your skin and keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving. Wegovy prescribing information by Novo Nordisk suggests pressing the pen more firmly if you see that the yellow bar is not moving. You’ll hear a click sound when the injection pen starts, and another click when the injection finishes; it takes around 10 seconds. Take out the pen and use a gauze pad or cotton to clean any blood or medication you see on the skin.
5. Dispose of the pen
Throw away your single-use Wegovy pen after use. Dispose of the pen carefully in the FDA-approved sharps disposal container. If you do not have a sharps container, use a household container with a spill-proof, robustly built and tight lid to protect your kids and pets from potential harm.
How do I know if I injected Wegovy properly?
When you inject Wegovy, you will hear two ‘click’ sounds. The first ‘click’ indicates that the injection has started and the medication is being injected into your body. The second click shows that the injection is finished. Sometimes, you might hear a faint third click, but always wait for a prominent second click; it takes around 10 seconds for the injection to administer the full dose.
When to inject Wegovy
You can select any day of the week for your weekly dose according to your preference and convenience. Make sure to inject Wegovy on the same day every week at any time of the day, with or without meals.
Should I let Wegovy warm up before injecting?
Administering cold injections can be uncomfortable and cause a stinging sensation. Leaving the Wegovy injection on the shelf for half an hour will help bring it to room temperature for a comfortable experience. Do not microwave the injection or keep it in a water bath to warm it faster to avoid innfluencing the components of the weight loss medication.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Wegovy?
If you miss your weekly Wegovy dose, take it as soon as you remember and make sure that the next scheduled dose is at least 2 days later. If the next maintenance dose is less than 2 days away, skip the missed dose and take the missed Wegovy dose on the next scheduled day. In case you miss your Wegovy dose for more than 2 weeks, take the next dose on the scheduled day or talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice.
How do I change my scheduled day for injecting Wegovy?
If you need to change your Wegovy dosing schedule, make sure to take the next dose at least two days after the previous one. Two doses of Wegovy should not be taken within 48 hours.
How to store Wegovy
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, suggests keeping the injection in the refrigerator to ensure its efficacy and safety until the expiration date. Consider the following to ensure the medication does not lose its efficacy:
- Store the Wegovy single-dose pen in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
- If needed, you can keep the injection pens at room temperature between 46°F and 86°F (8°C to 30°C) for up to 28 days. Do not remove the pen cap until the time of administering.
- Keep Wegovy injections in the original container to protect them from heat and light.
- Do not freeze the injections.
Disposal of the used pen
Once you administer Wegovy, dispose of the single-dose injection pen into an FDA-approved sharps disposal container immediately. If you do not have a sharps container, throw away the used Wegovy pen in a household container made with heavy-duty plastic. The container must be upright and stable with a tight-fitting, puncture resistant, and leak-proof lid. Label the container to warn people in the house of the hazardous waste in the container.
How to save on Wegovy
You can save on Wegovy with the Wegovy Savings Card. People with commercial or private insurance coverage for Wegovy may pay as little as $0 for a 28-day supply of Wegovy for up to 13 fills. At the same time, individuals who are not insured or pay cash for their prescriptions can expect to pay $650 for a 28-day supply of the medication.
Alternatively, you can get compounded semaglutide (the same active ingredient as Wegovy) at a fraction of the brand-name price through the NiceRx Weight Loss Program.
Bottom line
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a single-dose subcutaneous injection approved by the FDA for body weight management in obese and overweight individuals with at least one weight-related health condition.
The stomach, thigh, and upper arm are the best places to inject Wegovy because of the fat layer for fast absorption. However, all injection sites for Wegovy offer similar absorption. Administer the Wegovy injection properly for maximum benefits and dispose of the pen immediately after administration. All GLP-1 agonist receptors, including, Wegovy have common side effects like heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and an upset stomach.
If your insurance provider does not cover Wegovy, you can save on the medication using the Wegovy Savings Card, and pay as little as $0 for a 28-day supply. Users who are not eligible for the Wegovy insurance card can get compounded semaglutide (the same active ingredient as Wegovy) at a significantly lower price.
