Weight loss injectables such as Wegovy, Saxenda or Mounjaro are expensive, so it is important to know how to inject them correctly so that you do not spend too much money on medication.
Here we will show you step by step how to inject Wegovy correctly . At the end of the article you will also find answers to frequently asked questions.
Related article : Cooling and storing Wegovy: Cooling and shelf life.
The Wegovy Pen
Wegovy is a weight loss injection approved in Germany . It is a prescription drug that is only available with a prescription and is only indicated under medical supervision for adults with obesity (with a BMI over 30), overweight and weight-related health problems (BMI over 27) and for children over 12 years of age with obesity. The active ingredient is semaglutide , a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It belongs to the same class of drugs as Ozempic , Trulicity, Victoza, Saxenda and Byetta.
Wegovy injections help you eat less and feel full faster . This also helps you lose weight faster. However, you should still make sure you consume fewer calories and do more exercise than usual. Patients must administer Wegovy at home through weekly subcutaneous injections (under the skin). However, unlike the old-fashioned glass bottles and syringes, the Wegovy injection device is a simple and convenient injection pen.
Formats of the Wegovy Pen
Wegovy is available in prefilled single-dose injection pens of different strengths : 0.25 mg (green pen), 0.5 mg (red pen), 1 mg (brown pen), 1.7 mg (blue pen) and 2.4 mg (black pen). The pens are single-use products and must be disposed of in a sharps container after use.
Photo Credits: NovoMedlin
The typical Wegovy dosage starts with 0.25 mg once a week and increases the dose every four weeks until you reach the 2.4 mg strength. However , depending on your needs and medical situation , your healthcare provider may adjust the dosage and increase or decrease the dose.
How to inject Wegovy?
All Wegovy pens work the same, no matter how strong they are. The injection takes less than a minute and is easy. Your doctor has shown you how to use the Wegovy pen, and you can now go home and start treatment. But giving yourself an injection for the first time can be scary .
So here is a step-by-step guide and a reminder on how to use your Wegovy Pens correctly :
Photo Credits: NovoNordisk
Step 1: Read the Wegovy user manual
If you are about to administer Wegovy, first read the Instructions for Use and the Important Safety Information Sheet in the package. They contain important information. In this guide, we do not address side effects or technical issues that should be considered before the first injection of an anti-obesity drug .
Step 2: Preparing your Wegovy slimming syringe
To inject Wegovy you will need the following:
- your Wegovy Pen
- An alcohol swab (or soap and water)
- A cotton ball
- A container for sharp objects
Place all the material on a clean table next to you and sit comfortably, especially if you are afraid of needles and syringes. Then please wash your hands with soap and dry them gently (or use an alcohol swab).
Step 3: Wegovy Storage & Checking the Wegovy Pen
Always check your Wegovy pen before each injection. Make sure that the expiry date on the back of the pen has not passed and that Wegovy has been stored in the refrigerator (or kept at room temperature for less than 28 days).
Make sure the strength of your pen matches your doctor's prescription. Wegovy pens are color-coded according to dosage strength so you can check at a glance:
- 25 mg Wegovy pens are green
- 5 mg Wegovy pens are red
- 1 mg Wegovy pens are brown
- 7 mg Wegovy pens are blue
- 4 mg Wegovy pens are black
Then check the liquid in your injection pen. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in your Wegovy pen, is a clear and colorless liquid. Do not use the pen if it looks discolored or cloudy, or if it contains particles . These could be signs that your Wegovy injection has spoiled, probably due to exposure to light or high temperatures. However, air bubbles in your pen are normal and nothing to worry about.
Step 4: Clean the puncture site
Before injecting Wegovy, clean your planned injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Also make sure there is no bruising, redness or irritation .
Step 5: How to inject Wegovy
Remove the cap from your Wegovy Pen. The needle is already inside the pen and connected to it, so you don't need to touch it.
Then press the pen firmly and flat onto your skin at the chosen injection site (see below) until the yellow bar in the viewing window stops moving. During the injection you should hear 2 clicks . The first indicates that the injection has started. The second that it is complete. After the second click, make sure that the yellow bar stops moving and then slowly lift the pen off.
Step 6: Use a cotton ball
Sometimes blood may appear at the injection site. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Simply press gently with a cotton ball for a few seconds until the bleeding stops.
The Wegovy injection sites: Where is the best place to inject Wegovy?
For subcutaneous injections such as Wegovy, Saxenda, Insulin, Ozempic and others, the location of the injection is important. Wegovy must be injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin . Therefore, some areas of the body are more suitable than others and it is guaranteed that the needle will not hit a muscle, bone or blood vessel.
Wegovy can be injected into the thighs, the front of the thighs, the lower abdomen, or the back of the upper arm . Your doctor will help you decide which injection site is best for you.
Always check the site before injecting Wegovy and make sure the skin is not bruised, red or scarred. Rotate injection sites weekly to avoid complications.
Related article : Insulin injection sites: Where to inject insulin?
Frequently asked questions about the Wegovy fat removal injection
Can you administer Wegovy yourself?
Yes, Wegovy can be self-administered. The patient is responsible for injecting the weight loss medication at home each week. If you are uncomfortable using the Wegovy injection pen or are afraid of needles, you can ask a friend or family member to inject Wegovy for you.
Does the Wegovy injection hurt?
No, Wegovy injections do not hurt. The devices used to administer injections have improved significantly in recent years. The design of the needle tips is much sharper and thinner than before.
However, subcutaneous injections can be uncomfortable at the injection site. Possible side effects include burning, redness or itching. The risk is higher if you inject into body fat or a sensitive area, or if you use the injection site too often. If you feel pain every time you inject Wegovy, ask your doctor for advice.
Does Wegovy come with needles?
Wegovy pens come with the needle attached . You do not need to connect the needle to the pen. It is hidden inside the pen and is only visible once the injection is complete.
Wegovy storage - what do you have to consider?
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, is a biological product that is very sensitive to light and temperature. According to Novo Nordisk , the manufacturer, Wegovy must be stored in a refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C).
If refrigeration is not possible, Wegovy can also be stored outside the refrigerator for up to 28 days at a room temperature not exceeding 30 °C and protected from light (with the opaque pen cap in place).
Failure to follow these strict temperature guidelines may cause your weight loss medicine to spoil quickly and become partially or completely ineffective . It is not safe to inject Wegovy that has not been stored properly. Learn more about how to store your Wegovy pens here.
How many doses are contained in a Wegovy pen?
All Wegovy pens are single-dose pens and each contains one dose of Wegovy . However, the strength of the dose varies : there are 0.25 mg green pens, 0.5 mg red pens, 1 mg brown pens, 1.7 mg blue pens and 2.4 mg black pens. Each Wegovy pack contains 4 Wegovy pens (4 weekly doses for one month). Most suppliers and pharmacies supply 3 packs at once, which is enough for a 3-month weight loss treatment.
What to do if you forget to take a dose of Wegovy?
As mentioned above, Wegovy is administered weekly. It should be taken on the same day every week . However, there may be times when you forget to take Wegovy. In this case, do not panic and follow the manufacturer's instructions (or ask your doctor for advice):
- If it is more than 2 days before your next scheduled injection, take the missed dose of Wegovy now.
- If it is less than 2 days before your next scheduled injection, do not take the missed dose. Skip it and wait for your next scheduled injection, which is soon .
How are Wegovy pens disposed of?
Wegovy pens are injection devices with a needle inside. They are therefore considered sharps and must be disposed of accordingly. You can throw used Wegovy pens in your household waste if disposed of in a sharps container or a durable plastic container with a tight and secure lid, such as a detergent bottle. If you do not have this to hand, you can also dispose of the pens at a pharmacy.
Do you use Wegovy as a weight loss drug? What do you think about the injection device?
