How to inject Wegovy?

Wegovy is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week, not into a vein or muscle. Wash or sanitise your hands, choose a clean, healthy area of skin, and use a new needle each time. Place the pen flat against the skin and press and hold until the dose window confirms delivery; then dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container. If your clinic offers hands-on training, take it — a five-minute practice usually removes most first-time nerves. Always follow the patient leaflet that comes with your pen, and ask your pharmacist to demonstrate any step you are unsure about.

Why Wegovy is given by injection

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Because it is protein-based, stomach acid would break it down if swallowed, so it is formulated for subcutaneous delivery, where the medicine is absorbed gradually over the week. That steady exposure is why Wegovy is dosed once weekly rather than daily. Weekly dosing simplifies adherence and mirrors the approach used in the STEP trials and adopted by NHS services. Semaglutide’s effects on hunger, satiety, and gastric emptying do not require a fast spike; consistency is the goal, and the injection route delivers that.

Preparing for your injection

Good preparation prevents errors and soreness. Start by washing or sanitising your hands. Check the pen label, dose strength, and expiry date, then gather essentials: a new sterile needle, an alcohol wipe, a clean tissue or cotton pad, and your sharps bin. Choose an intact patch of skin on the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites from week to week to reduce irritation and the risk of lipohypertrophy, and avoid areas that are bruised, scarred, hard, or inflamed. If your device includes a flow-check the first time you use a new pen, follow it exactly; it confirms the pen is working and prevents under-dosing.

Step-by-step process

1. Remove the pen cap and confirm the solution looks clear and colourless.

   
   

2. Attach a fresh needle and remove both needle caps.

   
   

3. Place the pen flat against the skin at 90°, keeping your wrist steady so the pen cannot tilt.

   
   

4. Press and hold the button. Watch the counter or indicator window move until it confirms the full dose is delivered.

   
   

5. Keep the pen pressed for a few seconds before lifting away to minimise drips from the needle track.

   
   

6. Detach the needle carefully and place it straight into your sharps container.

   
   

7. If you are using a multi-dose pen, replace the cap; store as directed until your next weekly dose.

   
   

NHS training and support

Specialist weight-management services typically provide first-dose teaching. A nurse or pharmacist will demonstrate the device, observe you giving a supervised injection, and answer practical questions about storage, missed doses, and side-effect management. Written guides and official videos are helpful reinforcements, but the in-person check is what builds confidence. If you are anxious, ask to practise with a demo pen before your first dose at home. Many clinics also offer follow-up during the dose-escalation phase to troubleshoot issues promptly.

Common concerns about injections

Most people describe the injection as a brief scratch, not painful. Comfort improves if the pen is at room temperature, the needle is new, and the skin is relaxed rather than tensed. If your clinician has advised it, gently pinching up a fold of skin can help slimmer users keep the injection in the fatty layer. Mild redness, itching, or stinging usually settles within hours; a cool pack can soothe the area. If reactions persist, switch site next time and mention it at your review so your technique can be checked.

Safety reminders

Never inject into a vein or muscle; Wegovy is for subcutaneous use only. Do not share pens or needles. Use a new needle for every dose, and dispose of it safely in a sharps bin. Follow the spacing rules that keep levels steady: allow at least seventy-two hours between injections if you move the weekly day; if a dose is more than five days late, skip it and resume on your usual day. Store unopened pens in the fridge (not the freezer); keep in-use pens below thirty degrees with the cap on, away from direct heat and light. Inspect the solution before use and discard pens that are cloudy, discoloured, or have been accidentally frozen.

What this means in practice

Injecting Wegovy becomes a simple routine, calmly at home each week: prepare, place, press, wait, and safely dispose. With a little practice and NHS guidance, the mechanics fade into the background so you can focus on the habits that make treatment work — smaller portions, slower eating, steady hydration, and regular movement. Confidence with the pen supports consistency, and consistency is what drives results week after week.