How to inject Wegovy: Complete step-by-step guide
- The Everwell Medical Team
Wegovy (semaglutide) is one of the most effective weight loss medications available. If you've been prescribed Wegovy as part of your Everwell programme, this guide will show you exactly how to use your Wegovy pen safely and correctly.
What you'll need
Before starting, make sure you have:
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Your Wegovy pen
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An alcohol wipe
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A sharps disposal container
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Cotton wool or gauze (optional)
Safety checks before injecting
Always perform these checks before using your Wegovy pen:
Check the label: Confirm it says Wegovy and hasn't expired.
Inspect the liquid: Look through the window on your pen. The liquid should be clear and colourless. Don't use the pen if the liquid is cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles.
Bring to room temperature: Take your pen out of the fridge 30 minutes before injecting. Room temperature medication is more comfortable to inject.
Never use a frozen pen: If your Wegovy pen has been frozen, you must dispose of it safely and use a new one.
Where to inject Wegovy
Wegovy can be injected into three areas of your body:
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Your stomach (abdomen), avoiding a 5cm area around your belly button
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The front of your thighs
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The back of your upper arms
Rotating injection sites
Rotating where you inject is important for preventing skin irritation and ensuring the medication works effectively.
Choose a different site each week, and pick a spot at least 5cm away from where you injected last time. Keeping a simple record of your injection sites can be helpful.
Step-by-step: How to inject Wegovy
1. Prepare yourself and your injection site
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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
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Clean your chosen injection site with an alcohol wipe
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Let the area dry completely (this takes about 30 seconds)
2. Prepare your pen
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Remove the pen cap by pulling it straight off
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You'll see the needle is now exposed
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Don't touch the needle or let it touch anything
3. Create a skin fold and position the pen
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With your free hand, pinch the skin at your injection site to create a fold
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Hold the pen at a 90-degree angle to your skin (straight up and down)
4. Deliver your dose
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Push the pen firmly against your skin until you hear a click. This means the injection has started
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Keep the pen pressed firmly against your skin
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Watch the dose counter move towards zero
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When the counter reaches zero, keep the pen pressed against your skin and slowly count to six: one... two... three... four... five... six
5. Remove the pen and check the site
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Remove the pen straight out from your skin
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You might see a small amount of liquid or blood at the injection site. This is normal
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If needed, gently press with cotton wool, but don't rub the area
How to dispose of your Wegovy pen
Safe disposal is essential:
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Put the cap back on your pen carefully
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Place the used pen immediately into your sharps disposal container
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Never throw it in your household bin or recycling
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Each Wegovy pen contains only one dose and cannot be reused
If you need a sharps container, your pharmacy can provide one, or contact your Everwell medical team.
How to store Wegovy pens
Unused pens: Store in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. Keep them in the original packaging to protect from light.
Never freeze: If a pen has been frozen, it must be thrown away.
Temperature: Wegovy pens should be kept refrigerated until use. Take them out 30 minutes before injecting for comfort.
Quick reference checklist
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✓ Inject on the same day each week
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✓ Take pen out of fridge 30 minutes before injecting
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✓ Don't touch the exposed needle
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✓ Hold pen at 90-degree angle to skin
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✓ Count to six after dose counter reaches zero
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✓ Rotate your injection sites each week
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✓ Dispose of pens safely in a sharps container
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✓ Store unused pens in the fridge
Common questions about injecting Wegovy
How often do I inject Wegovy? Once weekly, on the same day each week.
Does the Wegovy injection hurt? Most people find the injection relatively painless. The needle is very fine, and using room temperature medication helps minimise discomfort.
Why do I need to count to six after the dose counter reaches zero? This ensures the full dose has been delivered into your body rather than leaking out after you remove the pen.
What if I forget to pinch the skin? The injection will still work, but pinching creates a skin fold that can make the injection more comfortable and help ensure proper delivery.
Can I inject through clothing? No, always inject into clean, bare skin.
What if I miss a dose? Contact your Everwell medical team for guidance on missed doses.
Wegovy injection tips
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Set a weekly reminder on your phone for injection day
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Keep your pens stored safely in the fridge away from food
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Have your sharps container easily accessible
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If you experience injection site reactions, try rotating between all three available sites
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Some people find injecting in the evening reduces any mild nausea
Getting support
If you have any questions or concerns about injecting Wegovy, contact your Everwell medical team at clinic@joineverwell.ie. We're here to support you throughout your weight loss journey.
Your Wegovy prescription is just one part of your comprehensive Everwell programme. Combined with lifestyle coaching from our Unislim partners and ongoing medical supervision, it gives you the best chance of achieving sustainable, long-term weight loss.
Understanding Wegovy and weight loss
Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and food intake. By reducing hunger and helping you feel fuller for longer, Wegovy addresses the biological drivers of weight gain.
When combined with the lifestyle coaching and medical support you receive through Everwell, Wegovy can help you achieve significant, sustainable weight loss. Our approach treats obesity as the chronic medical condition it is, rather than relying on willpower alone.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your doctor and the patient information leaflet included with your medication.
