Can Wegovy injection be administered by someone else, like a caregiver?

Yes, a trained caregiver can give the injection. They should follow the same steps you were taught: new needle each time, flat contact with the skin, hold until the indicator confirms delivery, and safe sharps disposal. It helps to keep a simple record of date, site, and dose so your clinic can review consistency at check-ins.

Why caregiver involvement is sometimes needed

Not everyone using Wegovy feels confident injecting themselves, especially at the beginning. For others, physical difficulties such as limited hand strength, vision problems, or mobility issues make self-injection challenging. In these cases, a caregiver — whether a family member, friend, or professional carer — can step in. NICE TA875 and NHS patient guidance both confirm that subcutaneous injections like Wegovy can be administered by trained caregivers, provided they follow the correct steps and understand the importance of site rotation and safe disposal.

Training and supervision

Before a caregiver begins giving injections, proper training is essential. NHS weight management services or community pharmacists usually provide demonstrations for both the patient and caregiver. This includes how to prepare the pen, attach a new needle, press the device flat against the skin, and hold it steady until the full dose is delivered. Caregivers are also taught about safe sharps handling and disposal, using the bins provided by pharmacies. The MHRA product leaflet advises that only those instructed by a healthcare professional should administer Wegovy, which ensures that safety and accuracy are prioritised.

Importance of record-keeping

Consistency matters with a once-weekly medicine. Keeping a simple record of injection dates, sites, and doses helps both patients and clinicians. This can be done on a phone app, paper card, or clinic log. NHS services often encourage this practice because it reduces the risk of missed or duplicate doses and supports regular site rotation. For patients with multiple caregivers, record-keeping is especially important so that everyone knows when and where the last injection was given. During clinic reviews, these notes help staff monitor treatment progress more accurately.

Avoiding common mistakes

Caregivers, like patients, must avoid certain errors. Using the same site too often increases the risk of skin thickening and reduced absorption. Not waiting long enough before removing the pen may cause a small leak of medicine. Forgetting to remove the needle afterwards raises the risk of contamination or leakage. Training addresses these issues directly, but ongoing vigilance is needed. NHS leaflets often include step-by-step checklists for caregivers to follow until the routine becomes familiar. This approach mirrors diabetes care, where caregiver-administered injections are common.

Evidence from clinical practice

The STEP trials, which established the effectiveness of semaglutide, assumed proper technique but did not restrict who administered the injections. In real-world NHS practice, both self-injection and caregiver administration are common for long-term injectable medicines. Research from diabetes and weight management settings shows that caregiver involvement improves adherence in people who might otherwise miss doses due to fear, forgetfulness, or physical limitations. NICE and NHS guidance emphasise that what matters is correct technique and consistency, not who performs the injection.

Safeguarding and accountability

When caregivers administer injections, safeguarding and accountability come into play. NHS teams encourage patients and families to clarify who is responsible for giving the dose each week. In professional care settings, such as nursing homes, medication administration records (MAR charts) are used to document each injection formally. At home, families may find it useful to create their own routine, such as injecting on the same day and time, with reminders in calendars or phones. This ensures that responsibility is clear and the medicine is not overlooked or duplicated.

Building confidence and independence

Some patients start with caregiver support and later transition to self-injection once they feel more comfortable. Nurses often encourage this gradual approach, building skills and confidence over time. Others may prefer ongoing caregiver help, and that is equally valid if it keeps treatment safe and reliable. The NHS supports both models, tailoring advice to the patient’s needs. What matters most is that the medicine is administered correctly and consistently, so its benefits — confirmed in the STEP and SELECT trials — can be realised in daily life.

Understanding the full picture

Caregivers can safely administer Wegovy injections if they are trained and supported. Correct preparation, safe disposal, careful site rotation, and good record-keeping all contribute to consistent treatment. NICE TA875, NHS training services, and MHRA product information all underline that dose administration should be accurate and clinician-supervised in its planning, even when a caregiver gives the injection. Understanding the full picture means recognising that safe, effective treatment is a shared responsibility: the patient, caregiver, and healthcare team each play a role in ensuring that Wegovy works as intended.