Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable drug used to help regulate blood sugar levels and help with weight loss.

Image of a women injecting a medication pen into her stomach

Key Facts

  • Wegovy is administered weekly through an auto-injector pen.
  • Recommended injection sites include the abdomen, front of the thighs, and upper arms.
  • Proper technique is crucial: hold the pen perpendicular to the skin, listen for clicks, and maintain firm contact for 10 seconds.
  • Consistency is key. Inject on the same day each week, and follow specific guidelines if you miss a dose.

Table of Contents

Get to know your Wegovy pen

Wegovy is a prescription medication for weight loss, containing the same active ingredient — semaglutide — as drugs like Ozempic.

It comes in an injector pen, also known as a “medication pen” or simply a “pen.” If you’ve been prescribed Wegovy, it might be your first time taking a self-administered shot.

Most people find injector pens easier to use than syringes because they allow for simple and precise dosing of injectable drugs.

Wegovy pens are about 6 inches long, with a pen cap on one end and a small plunger button on the other. The pens come in five colors, each corresponding to a pre-measured dose. Each box of Wegovy contains four pens, all of the same dose.

When you remove the pen cap, you’ll see the pen tip and a clear medication chamber right behind it. On the pen’s body, you’ll find the label with medication and dose information.

Unlike many other injectable medication pens, Wegovy pens do not have a visible needle. This is because they feature an auto-injector, similar to insulin pens or Ozempic pens, but Wegovy pens administer a single preloaded dose.

If you’ve never used a pen before, your doctor or pharmacist can guide you on how to safely use a Wegovy pen. Additionally, the manufacturer provides detailed instructions on its website.

What does a dose look like?

Your prescribed dose in milligrams should match the dose listed on the pen’s label. Each pen contains a single weekly dose and is designed for one-time use before being discarded.

There are five different dose sizes, each with a distinct pen color:

  • 0.25 milligrams (mg) (teal) for the start of treatment
  • 0.50 mg (pink)
  • 1 mg (brown or orange)
  • 1.7 mg (blue)
  • 2.4 mg (dark gray)

Always verify that both the packaging and the pen are clearly labeled with your prescribed dose. Pen colors and labels may change, so ensure accuracy before injecting. 

Never exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor, as overdosing can lead to significant side effects.

Where is the best place on my body to inject Wegovy?

Wegovy is designed to be administered right under the skin by injection. 

Drugs injected under the skin do best when they’re injected into parts of your body with some fatty tissue.

Injections into lean or mostly muscular parts of your body are not recommended, as they tend to be painful, may bleed more than normal, and can cause the drug to be less effective. 

Wegovy should never be injected into a vein or artery. 

According to the drug’s manufacturer, the three best places on your body to inject Wegovy are the front of your thighs, your abdomen (at least 2 inches from your belly button), and your upper arms — particularly the backs of your upper arms. 

Read more: How to Avoid Injection Site Bruising.

How to inject Wegovy

Inject the prescribed amount of Wegovy under the skin into fatty tissue once a week, on the same day each week. The time of day doesn’t matter.

Here are the steps to follow:

Check your pen

First, be sure that the pen is not damaged and the medicine has not passed its expiration date. 

If either of these is not the case, contact the manufacturer at 1-833-934-6891.

If all of these conditions are met, proceed as follows:

  • Prepare your pen and get an alcohol swab.
  • Verify that you have the correct pen and dose.
  • Remove the pen cap and ensure the liquid inside the pen is colorless and clear.

Prepare the injection site

Choose an area with more fatty tissue, such as your abdomen, upper thighs, or upper arms.

Clean the area with an alcohol swab.

Injecting Wegovy

Press the pen firmly against your skin at a 90-degree angle. The auto-injector will activate once the pen is pressed firmly against your skin.

Listen for the first click to indicate the injection has started.

Hold the pen in place for about 10 seconds until you hear a second click, signaling the injection is complete.

Watch the yellow plunger bar move inside the pen window as it delivers the medication.

Re-cap and discard the pen

Replace the pen cap and discard the single-use pen.

A tiny amount of blood is normal; apply pressure with an alcohol swab if needed. 

Does the injection hurt?

The Wegovy pen uses a tiny needle to inject the medication just beneath your skin into fatty tissue. The needle is very thin and short, so most people don’t even feel it.

If you’re sensitive to cold fluid injections, consider taking the pen out of the fridge 1 to 2 hours before use. 

Letting the medication reach room temperature before injecting can reduce any potential discomfort. Just remember to keep the cap on until you’re ready to administer the dose.

How do I know if I injected correctly?

To confirm a proper injection:

  • Listen for the two clicks and watch the clear window on the pen to see the yellow plunger moving the medication into your body.
  • Ensure the plunger has stopped moving before removing the pen from your skin.
  • Keep the auto-injector in firm contact with your skin for at least 10 seconds.

If you have any concerns or think something went wrong, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What is the best time of day to inject Wegovy?

There is no clinically proven best time of day to inject Wegovy. The key is to choose a consistent day each week. 

For example, if you decide to take Wegovy on Mondays, you can take it at any time of day — but continue taking it every Monday at the same time for the duration of your treatment.

To help you remember, mark the day on a calendar, on the box your pen comes in, or set phone reminders to avoid missing a dose.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within 5 days. However, if more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day.

In short, if your next scheduled dose is less than 2 days (48 hours) away, do not take the missed dose. Simply wait and resume your regular dosing schedule.

How should I store my Wegovy pens?

Proper storage of Wegovy is essential to ensure it maintains its effectiveness:

  • Refrigerate it at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
  • Do not freeze.
  • Store the medicine in the original container to protect it from light.

Why does my Wegovy pen not have a needle?

When you open a new Wegovy pen, you’ll notice there’s no visible needle, unlike insulin pens. 

This is because Wegovy pens use an auto-injector, which has a tiny needle integrated into the pen’s body. 

As a result, you don’t need to see or handle a needle when taking your medication.

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