How to Inject Wegovy

Where and How to Inject Wegovy

Wegovy is a breakthrough drug for weight loss that belongs to the class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. All such drugs are given via injection.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication used for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions and related medical problems. It is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) using a prefilled pen. Proper injection technique ensures the medication works effectively for weight loss, minimizes discomfort or complications, and helps you achieve your weight loss goals.

Injecting your weekly dose of Wegovy is relatively easy. It is no more complicated than an insulin injection routinely used by people with diabetes. Your prescribed dosage will be provided in a series of color-coded pre-filled pens. As part of your treatment plan, our doctors will show you how to prepare for your semaglutide injections and run you through the basics of how to give yourself a subcutaneous injection. Be sure that you fully understand all of the instructions on how to take your weekly weight loss injection.

Giving yourself an injection can seem a little intimidating. Rest assured, self-injecting this medication is easy; the needles are small, so Wegovy shots are relatively pain-free, and your dosage is premixed. Even if you have no previous experience with self-injections, you should not have any difficulties learning how to inject this drug. Still, there are some sterile procedures and best practices to ensure your Wegovy injection is trouble-free.

If you have questions about where and how to inject Wegovy, you can always contact us or consult your patient information leaflet.

Where to Inject Wegovy

Wegovy is administered via subcutaneous injection once a week, typically using a prefilled pen device.

The most common sites for Wegovy injections include the abdomen (around the navel), the upper thigh, or the back of the upper arm. Your healthcare provider may recommend a specific site. You must rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage and minimize the chances of injection site reactions.

The key is to use a different injection site each time you receive an injection. For example, if you administered your shot into your abdomen for one dose, the next dose should be administered in your thigh, and so on. It is probably a good idea to create a rotation schedule to track where you have previously received your injection.

Avoid injecting this medication into areas where you can feel bone, like directly over the ribcage or into joints. Injection into bony areas can be painful and may not deliver the medication effectively.

Also, do not inject Wegovy into areas with scars, moles, tattoos, or any other skin conditions, as this may affect the medication’s absorption and effectiveness. Finally, avoid injecting semaglutide or any weight loss medication into areas with active skin irritations, rashes, or infections. It’s crucial to have healthy, clean skin at the injection site.

How to Inject Wegovy – General Instructions

Generally speaking, the process for your weekly injection is as follows: First, use an alcohol swab to clean the chosen injection site. Then, allow the area to dry completely before proceeding. Remove the cap from the pen. Finally, pinch a fold of skin at the cleaned injection site to create a small area of subcutaneous tissue.

Insert the needle into the fold of the skin at a 90-degree angle or as directed by your healthcare provider. Push the plunger down to inject the medication. Be sure to administer the entire injection.

Dispose of the used needle in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Never dispose of needles along with household trash.

How to Inject Wegovy in the Stomach

Injecting Wegovy into the stomach (belly or abdomen) is a common and convenient option.

Steps:

1. Choose the Injection Site: Select an area on the front of your stomach, at least 2 inches from the belly button.
2. Prepare the Skin: Clean the area with an alcohol swab and let it dry to minimize the risk of infection.
3. Inject: Hold the pen at a 90-degree angle to the skin. Press the pen firmly against the skin, then press and hold the injection button until you hear a second click or feel a change indicating the injection is complete.
4. Dispose Safely: Place the used pen in a sharps container.

Tips:

• Avoid injecting into areas with scars, stretch marks, or moles.
• Rotate within the abdominal area to prevent irritation.

How to Inject Wegovy into the Leg or Thigh

When choosing the leg for your injection site, the thigh is the most common site for self-injection.

Steps:

1. Select the Site: Choose the front of your thigh, midway between the knee and hip.
2. Prepare the Skin: Use an alcohol swab to clean the area and let it air dry.
3. To inject, Hold the pen perpendicular (90 degrees) to the thigh and follow the same procedure as described for the stomach.
4. Aftercare: Safely dispose of the pen and apply gentle pressure if there is slight bleeding (avoid rubbing).

Tips:

• Avoid injecting into veins or visible blood vessels.
• Rotate between the right and left thighs weekly.

How to Inject Wegovy into the Arm

Injecting into the upper arm is not your best choice for a self-injection and is easier with the help of a caregiver.

Steps:

1. Identify the Site: Use the back or side of the upper arm where there is sufficient fatty tissue.
2. Clean the Area: Wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry.
3. Inject: The caregiver should hold the pen at a right angle to the arm and press the button to deliver the medication.
4. Dispose Properly: Discard the used pen in a sharps container.

Tips:

• Ensure the injection site is free of bruises or irritation.
• A caregiver may assist with better access to the arm.

How to Inject Wegovy: Wegovy Pen Vs Standard Injections

Genuine prescription Wegovy is administered exclusively through a prefilled, single-use pen, making it more convenient and user-friendly than traditional syringe-based injections.

Key Differences:

• Ease of Use: The Wegovy pen is preloaded with the correct dose and requires no assembly, reducing preparation time.
• Needle Visibility: The pen’s design conceals the needle, which can help patients with needle anxiety.
• Dosing Precision: The pen delivers a fixed dose, ensuring accuracy and eliminating the need for manual measurement.

Advantages of the Wegovy Pen:

• Minimal preparation is required.
• Reduced risk of dosing errors.
• Compact and portable design for discreet use.

Patients accustomed to standard injections usually find the Wegovy pen more convenient and comfortable. For specific instructions, always read the medication guide provided with the pen.

Is There a Best Time of Day to Inject Wegovy?

This medication is injected once weekly. It does not matter what time of day or night you take your shot. The key is to administer the drug simultaneously each week.

You can take your shot with or without meals without significantly impacting its absorption or effectiveness. The best way to ensure that you do not miss a dose is to take your weight loss injection at the same time each week and make it part of your daily or nightly routine, like brushing your teeth.

Does Your Dosage Impact Where You Inject Wegovy?

The location where you choose to inject Wegovy is not dose-dependent. However, following the prescribed dosage and frequency as directed by your healthcare professional is important.

Wegovy comes in different strengths. Patients typically start at the lowest effective dose, 0.25 mg, once a week and increase it every four weeks until they reach the full or maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.

Useful Tips on How to Inject Your Dose of Wegovy

Before we get into tips on injecting Wegovy, let’s get to know your Wegovy pen. The Wegovy pen should come in a sealed package. Before opening it, inspect the packaging for any signs of damage or tampering. If you notice anything unusual, do not use the pen and contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Wegovy’s manufacturer recommends storing your pens in the refrigerator between 36℉-46℉. It can be stored thus for up to 28 days or until its expiration date. The expiration date is located on the back of the pen. Wegovy should never be frozen and kept out of direct sunlight.

Here are some useful tips on how to inject Wegovy:

• Wash Your Hands: Start thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.
• Prepare the Injection: Gather all the necessary supplies, including the Wegovy pen, a new needle, an alcohol swab, and a sharps disposal container. Your Wegovy pens are color-coded according to the dose; make sure you take the right dose for your weekly/monthly schedule.
• Choose an Injection Site: Your healthcare provider will recommend injection sites, usually in the abdomen (at least two inches away from your belly button) or the thigh. Rotate injection sites with each dose to minimize tissue irritation.
• Dose Counter – Always make sure the dose counter on the pen is dialed into your correct prescribed dose.
• Clean the Site: Wipe the chosen injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry. This will help avoid skin reactions.
• Inject the Medication: The Wegovy injection is typically subcutaneous, which means it goes just under the skin. To give the Wegovy injection, hold the pen like a pencil or a syringe. Pinch the cleaned skin at the injection site gently. This helps create a small, raised area of skin. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle or as your healthcare provider directs. Make sure that the pen is free of air bubbles. Press the button or plunger on the pen to start the injection. Push it slowly and steadily to ensure the medication is administered properly. Keep the pen in place for a few seconds to ensure you receive the full dose. Make sure you completely inject all the medication. You can inject Wegovy cold right out of the refrigerator, or you can let the medication come to room temperature before injecting – the choice is yours.
• Apply Pressure: If bleeding, apply a cotton ball or gauze pad to the injection site and gently press it to stop the bleeding. This can also sop up any medication that may have leaked out of the injection site. Some leakage is normal with any injection as you remove the needle. If you see excessive leaking during your next injection, make sure that you keep applying pressure until the yellow bar on the injection pen has stopped moving.
• Dispose of the Pen: After injecting, dispose of the pen in a sharps container.
• Record the Injection: Record your injections as directed by your healthcare provider.

How Soon Will I See Results After Injecting Wegovy?

Patients can lose astounding amounts of body weight by taking Wegovy. But you must understand that your weight loss progress occurs over time.

This weight loss treatment mimics the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. This hormone is released after eating and regulates appetite, glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion. By acting on specific receptors in the brain, this drug helps suppress appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and ultimately reduce calorie intake.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy have a primary mechanism of action that slows the stomach’s emptying. By slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, these remarkable weight loss medications increase the feeling of fullness after a meal, reducing the urge to overeat or snack between meals.

These effects start to occur right after you inject a dose. However, it may take several weeks before you notice a decrease in your appetite and start to lose significant weight. Wegovy stays in your system for approximately 5 to 7 weeks following your last dose.

It’s important to note that Wegovy injections work best when combined with a healthy diet and increased physical activity.

Weight loss injections like Wegovy can be life-changing. If you have struggled with weight and want to know if Wegovy is right for you, please Contact Us today!