How do I store Wegovy pens at home?

Keep unopened pens in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) in their carton, away from the freezer compartment. For in-use pens, store below 30 °C, cap on, and note the 6-week in-use limit on the box so you don’t lose track. Don’t store with a needle attached, and keep all pens and sharps out of children’s reach.

Why correct storage matters

Wegovy is a protein-based medicine, and like other injectables, it is sensitive to changes in temperature, light, and handling. That means how you store it at home directly affects how effective it will be. Manufacturers and regulators test stability carefully, which is why the leaflet and NHS guidance set out exact rules. Ignoring them risks weakening the medicine even if the liquid looks unchanged, and it may also create safety issues if pens are left where others could access them.

Refrigeration for unopened pens

Unopened pens should always be kept in a refrigerator set between 2 °C and 8 °C. The carton protects them from light, and keeping them away from the freezer compartment prevents accidental freezing. Freezing damages the active ingredient, semaglutide, and makes the pen unusable. NICE TA875 reflects these storage rules in its national guidance, and MHRA product information sets the same standards. For households with shared fridges, a small labelled container can help keep pens separate from food and reduce the chance of them being misplaced.

Managing in-use pens

Once you start using a pen, the storage rules change. In-use pens can be kept below 30 °C, which covers most indoor UK environments, provided they are capped and out of direct light. The six-week rule begins on the date of first use, so marking this clearly on the carton or on a calendar helps avoid mistakes. NHS weight management teams often recommend patients write the “discard date” in big letters to reduce the risk of using an expired pen. Even if some solution is left, it should be thrown away once the six weeks are up, as the medicine is no longer guaranteed to be effective.

Everyday practical tips

At home, the simplest approach is to keep unopened pens in the fridge door or a clean drawer, and in-use pens in a cool cupboard or drawer out of sight. Always store them with the cap on to prevent exposure to light. Needles should not be left attached between injections, as this increases the risk of leaks, contamination, or drying out of the medicine. Used needles and empty pens belong in a sharps bin, not in the household waste. NHS community pharmacies can usually provide and replace sharps bins, and disposal is free.

Safety in households

Because Wegovy is delivered by injection, safety is about more than just storage conditions. Pens and sharps must always be kept out of reach of children and away from anyone who might mistake them for a different medicine. Lockable medicine boxes or high storage cupboards can help in family homes. Even capped pens should be handled carefully and kept in their cartons until use. If a pen is ever accidentally frozen, overheated, or dropped and damaged, it should not be used and should be disposed of safely.

Planning for hot weather or travel

UK summers are becoming warmer, and short heatwaves can push indoor temperatures above 30 °C. In these situations, in-use pens may need extra care, such as being kept in a cooler bag indoors or returned to the fridge temporarily (never frozen). NICE and NHS sources emphasise that protecting storage conditions is part of making sure the medicine delivers the benefits seen in STEP trials, where every injection was given under controlled, stable conditions. For people travelling abroad, portable medical coolers are often recommended to manage heat and keep pens safe.

How it fits into NHS care

Storing Wegovy properly at home is an important part of safe treatment, and the NHS builds this into its advice and services. From sharps disposal bins to patient information leaflets, the system is designed to help people manage long-term medicines confidently. By following the official storage rules — refrigeration for unopened pens, below 30 °C for in-use pens, six-week discard limits, and safe handling of sharps — patients can be sure their treatment is as effective as possible. Good storage habits also protect families and support the wider NHS aim of keeping weight management care safe, reliable, and practical for everyday life.