Wegovy: How To Use The Injection

Wegovy is an injectable weight loss management medication containing semaglutide, prescribed to people with a BMI of 30+. If you have been prescribed Wegovy, it’s important that you know how to take it properly to ensure it works effectively and that you are administering it safely.

Using your Wegovy pen

You will receive a pack of Wegovy on a monthly basis containing 4 pens of your agreed dose. Each month, your dose increases starting at 0.25mg for the first month and increasing to 2.4mg from the fifth month onwards.

It’s important that you stick to a dosing schedule injecting your Wegovy medication consistently on the same day each week. Prior to receiving your Wegovy prescription, you will have discussed and agreed on an injection site with your clinician. You can use the same injection site each week but make sure it isn’t exactly the same spot each time, and avoid areas that are bruised, scarred, or inflamed. Injection sites are:

● Your stomach

● Your thigh

● Your upper arm

Before you begin

Make sure to read the instructions for use that come with your Wegovy pen. This gives you all the information you need to administer your medication and provides you with details on how to store the pen, possible side effects, and information on dosage.

Step 1: Wash and dry your hands

Step 2: Check over your pen to make sure it is usable. Ensure the dose is correct, check expiry date and that the medicine that is visible through the pen window is clear and colourless.

Injecting Wegovy

Now you are ready to use your Wegovy pen. You’ll notice that the needle isn’t visible as it is positioned within the pen so you don’t have to look at it if this concerns you.

Step 1: Remove the lid

Step 2: Line up the pen with the injection site so that you can see the pen window. You’ll need to look at this if possible to make sure the medication is fully administered.

Step 3: Create a taut area to inject and push the pen firmly against your skin. You will hear a click which means the injection has started and the yellow bar in the pen window will start to move. Hold it in place for 10 seconds.

Step 4: Keep holding the injection pen firmly against your skin. You’ll hear a second click which means the injection is ongoing.

Step 5: Continue to hold the pen in place until the yellow bar stops moving. Note that it will never completely fill the pen window.

Step 6: Once the yellow bar has stopped moving and the injection has finished, slowly move the pen away from your skin.

Disposal

Use a heavy duty plastic container to throw away your Wegovy pen. Do not put it directly into the bin. Remember to set a reminder for your next injection.

Dosage

Each pack of Wegovy pens that you receive holds a new dosage and the colour of the pen is different to reflect this. Each pen contains 4 doses which increase on a monthly basis as follows:

Month 1: 0.25mg (green)

Month 2: 0.5mg (pink)

Month 3: 1.0mg (brown)

Month 4: 1.7mg (blue)

Month 5 and onwards: 2.4mg (black)

If you have any problems regarding your Wegovy delivery or with the injection pens, please contact wlsupport@clinicalalliance.co.uk.