Injectable weight loss medications like Wegovy can help you achieve significant weight loss results. But, like any medication, weight loss injections need to be taken correctly to reduce discomfort and make sure you receive the right dose. In this guide, our MedExpress experts explain how to choose your Wegovy injection site and correctly inject your treatment so you can reach your goals.

How does Wegovy work?

Wegovy contains an active ingredient called semaglutide, which mimics a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1. This hormone helps your body control blood sugar and appetite.

• Targeting the hunger centre in your brain, reducing appetite and quieting food-focused thoughts. [1, 2]
• Regulating your blood sugar levels, reducing food cravings. [2]
• Slowing digestion, which helps you feel fuller for longer. [2]

Clinical trials show Wegovy can help you lose an average of 15% of your body weight in 68 weeks, in combination with a healthy diet and physical activity. [3] These results, paired with cost-effectiveness compared to other medications, make Wegovy a popular choice for people seeking weight loss support.

Where to inject Wegovy

Wegovy is administered once a week via subcutaneous injection, which means you inject it into the fat layer just under your skin.  

Your injection site is the area you inject your medication into. You should choose from the following:

• Stomach — At least two inches away from your belly button. Don’t inject into scar tissue.   
• Upper arm — Inject into the back or side of your arm. You may need someone to help you.
• Thigh — Inject into the front or side of your thigh.

Remember, the injection site you pick should be easily accessible. You should also be able to see the dose window of your pen while you’re injecting your medication so you can check you’ve received the whole dose before removing the needle.

When should you change injection sites?

You should rotate injection sites weekly, every time you take a dose of Wegovy. This helps reduce the risk of developing hard lumps of scar tissue, or injection site reactions like redness, swelling and bruising. 

If you do experience injection site reactions, using non-drowsy antihistamines or local antihistamine creams can help alleviate symptoms.

Injection site reactions are a common side effect of Wegovy, and symptoms can include pain, redness or swelling. For advice on how to manage these symptoms, and when to contact your GP or seek urgent medical attention, head to our Weight Loss Health Guide.

How to inject Wegovy

It’s important you use the correct injection technique when you take Wegovy to reduce discomfort and make sure you get the full dose. Wegovy comes in prefilled pens, which makes it simple to inject. Most people find that the injection process quickly becomes part of their routine.

Here’s how and where you should inject your Wegovy. [4]

1. Check your pen

Remove your pen from the refrigerator half an hour before your dose so it can reach room temperature. Before injecting, make sure:

• The medication name and dose is correct
• The pen isn’t damaged or expired.
• The medicine is clear and colourless. If it’s cloudy, frozen or contains any particles, don’t use it.

2. Wash your hands

Clean your hands with hot water and soap to reduce the risk of infection. If someone is helping you, make sure they wash their hands too.

3. Pick your injection site

Choose from your stomach, upper arm or thigh. Remember to avoid the same spot you used last time, or any area that’s irritated or bruised. Wipe your chosen injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water. 

4. Prepare the pen

Remove the pen cap. Select a new pen needle, remove the paper tab and push the needle onto the pen, twisting until it’s secure.

If this is your first injection with a new pen, you need to check the flow. Remove both of the needle caps and turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol. With the needle pointing upwards, press the dose button until a small drop of medication appears at the tip of the needle. This means the pen is ready to use.

5. Inject the medicine

To set your dose, turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops, and it shows your prescribed dose. Position the pen at your injection site, ensuring you can see the pen window — you may need some help if the site is hard to reach. Press and hold the dose button until you see 0 in the dose window, then slowly count to six. This ensures you receive the entire injection.

Carefully remove the needle from your skin. If blood appears at the injection site, press on it lightly with a clean tissue, but don’t rub the area.

6. Dispose of the needle

After your injection, replace the needle cap. Twist to remove the needle and safely dispose of it in your sharps container.

The patient information leaflet you receive with your treatment will include more detailed injection instructions. We recommend familiarising yourself with these before attempting to inject your medication for the first time.

We’re here to support you

If you have any concerns about where to inject Wegovy — or anything else to do with your treatment plan — we’re happy to help. Visit our Weight Loss Health Guide for more information, or get in touch with our clinical team. 

Not started your weight loss journey yet? Find out what treatment is suitable for you on MedExpress.

References: 

1. Blundell J, Finlayson G, Axelsen M, Flint A, Gibbons C, Kvist T, et al. Effects of once‐weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism [Internet]. 2017 May 5;19(9):1242–51. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573908/

2. Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13799/smpc#gref

3. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

4. GB -Wegovy PIL-Version 7 [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 19]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13799.pdf