What precautions should be taken when injecting Wegovy?

Always check the pen label to confirm the correct dose before injecting. Rotate injection sites each week to avoid irritation and avoid injecting into scarred, bruised, or inflamed skin. Use a new needle each time and dispose of it safely in a sharps container. NHS staff encourage patients to report any unexpected reactions or concerns so adjustments can be made.

Checking the pen and medicine

One of the simplest but most important steps is to confirm you have the correct pen and dose. Wegovy comes in different strengths, and the pen should match the stage of your treatment plan. NHS weight management teams often advise patients to double-check the label and inspect the liquid inside the pen. It should be clear, colourless, and free of particles. If the pen looks damaged, cloudy, or has been exposed to heat or freezing, it should not be used and should be returned to a pharmacy. MHRA product information stresses that using only intact, in-date pens reduces the risk of errors.

Rotating injection sites

Injection site rotation is essential to protect skin health and ensure steady absorption. NICE TA875, NHS guidance, and MHRA-approved patient leaflets all emphasise this step. Repeated injections into the same area can cause lipohypertrophy (lumpy or thickened skin) or irritation. Moving each injection at least a finger-width or two from the last site gives the tissue time to recover. Approved areas are the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms. NHS nurses often provide site maps or rotation charts to help patients keep track and prevent overusing one area.

Avoiding unsuitable areas

It is also important to avoid injecting into skin that is scarred, bruised, inflamed, or affected by stretch marks. These areas may reduce absorption or increase the risk of reactions such as redness or tenderness. The NHS advises choosing smooth, healthy skin and rotating regularly between sites. Patients with reduced mobility or vision problems may need caregiver support to ensure injections are given in safe locations. This is a routine part of NHS weight management services, where training is tailored to individual needs.

Using new needles every time

Each injection should use a brand-new, single-use needle. Reusing needles can dull the tip, making injections more painful, and increases the chance of contamination or blockages. NHS services supply new needles with pens and explain how to attach and remove them safely. Once removed, the needle should be placed immediately into a sharps bin. NICE guidance and MHRA safety advice both confirm that safe needle practice is a central part of using GLP-1 medicines like Wegovy. It protects the patient, their family, and waste workers from accidental injury.

Safe disposal practices

Sharps should never go into household rubbish or recycling. Pharmacies provide sharps bins for used needles and take them back when full. Expired or damaged pens should also be returned to a pharmacy. NHS waste management guidance is clear that clinical waste must be separated from household waste for safety and environmental reasons. Patients starting Wegovy are usually given a sharps bin at the same time as their first prescription, along with instructions on how to store and return it. This process mirrors diabetes care, where sharps disposal is routine.

Reporting concerns or reactions

Patients are encouraged to contact NHS services if they notice unexpected reactions at injection sites, such as persistent pain, swelling, or severe redness. In rare cases, these could signal an allergic reaction or infection. NHS 111 can advise on urgent concerns, while routine questions can be directed to GPs, pharmacists, or specialist clinics. The MHRA also runs the Yellow Card scheme, which allows patients and clinicians to report suspected side effects or device issues. These reports help improve long-term safety monitoring of medicines like Wegovy.

Evidence from clinical trials

The STEP trials, which underpin NICE approval of Wegovy, used strict protocols for injections. Participants were trained to rotate sites, use new needles, and store pens correctly. This contributed to the strong safety record reported in the studies, where most side effects were gastrointestinal rather than injection-related. SELECT, which examined cardiovascular outcomes, followed the same careful approach. NICE TA875 builds on this evidence, recommending that all patients in the NHS receive training and ongoing support for injection technique.

NHS role in ongoing support

Injection precautions are not just taught once — they are reinforced at regular reviews. NHS weight management teams check technique, answer questions, and provide replacement materials such as sharps bins or site rotation charts. Pharmacists and nurses play an active role in monitoring patient safety. This ongoing support is part of the wider package of care described in NICE guidance, where medicine is combined with lifestyle interventions, education, and regular follow-up.

How it fits into NHS care

Precautions around injection technique are woven into every stage of NHS Wegovy treatment. From checking pens and rotating sites to safe sharps disposal and reporting concerns, each step is supported by clear guidance from NICE, NHS, and the MHRA. These measures are not optional extras — they are part of how care is delivered. How it fits into NHS care is straightforward: by embedding safe injection practices into routine support, the health service ensures that Wegovy can deliver the benefits shown in trials while protecting patient safety and wellbeing.