How To Safely Inject Weight Loss Medication: A Step-By-Step Guide

Weight loss injections (or GLP-1 receptor agonists), like Wegovy and Mounjaro, are designed to be self-injected. This means you can take your treatment on a day and a time that suits you, from the comfort of home.

We know the thought of self-injecting medication may be worrying, especially if it's your first time taking this type of treatment. In this article, we'll guide you through the weight loss injection process for both Mounjaro and Wegovy. We'll also provide you with tips and advice to make the experience as straightforward and comfortable as possible.

Article Summary:

Weight loss injections (like Wegovy and Mounjaro) are designed to be self-administered, once a week.

Before you take your medication, we recommend you read your patient information leaflet. It contains important information, including possible side effects.

In this article, you'll find step-by-step instructions as well as a video guide on how to safely take weight loss injections.

Before you start

We recommend you read your patient information leaflet, which arrives with your medication pen. It provides important information, like possible side effects and a storage guide.

We also recommend watching our instructional videos below, especially if this is your first time taking a weight loss injection. Remember, you can come back to these resources at any time. And, if you have any questions, our MedExpress team is here to help.

How to inject Wegovy: ▶️ Watch video

How to inject Mounjaro: ▶️ Watch video

Weight loss injections should only ever be prescribed by a medical professional.

How to inject Wegovy

With MedExpress, you’ll receive 1 Wegovy pen each month. Wegovy is a weekly injection, and each medication pen contains 4 doses. You'll also receive 4 disposable needles, and you must use a new one each time you inject.

For best results, you should keep your weekly dosage schedule consistent (the same day). You can give yourself the injection at any time of day, regardless of meals. [1]

Preparing and checking your Wegovy:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
2. Remove your medication from the refrigerator and make sure all the items you need are nearby on a clean surface. This includes: your medication pen, sharps bin and your disposable needle.
3. Remove the pen cap.
4. Check your pen isn’t expired or damaged. Also check that the solution (in the window of the pen) is clear and colourless. Do not use the medication if the pen is damaged or expired, or if the solution is discoloured or cloudy. [1]
5. Select a needle to use for your injection and check the paper tab and the outer needle cap for damages. If you see any damage, dispose of the needle in your sharps bin as this could affect sterility. [1]
6. Tear off the paper tab from the needle, then push the needle onto the pen and twist until it's secure.
7. You'll notice that the needle has two caps. Remove both caps from the needle, keeping the outer cap for later to safely dispose of your medication.

Checking the flow of your Wegovy pen

You’ll only need to complete this step before your first injection with a new Wegovy pen.

1. Turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol and make sure it lines up with the dose pointer.
2. 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 needle is ready for use.
3. If a drop does not appear, you’ll need to check the flow again. However, this should only be done twice. If there’s still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more. Do not use the pen if a drop of Wegovy still does not appear. Instead, contact your prescriber.

Choosing a Wegovy injection site:

Wegovy is given as a subcutaneous injection (into the fatty tissue layer between the skin and muscle). There are several suitable injection sites for Wegovy: your upper arms, stomach and your upper thighs. It doesn't matter which of these sites you choose. However, it's best to choose a site where you can still see the pen window.

It used to be recommended that you perform 'site rotation', where you inject into a different injection site from week to week. This guidance has been updated. You may now use the same area of your body each week, but try to choose a slightly different spot each time. [1] Avoid injecting into exactly the same place, or right next to your previous injection (ideally at least 5 cm away).

It’s also important to avoid injecting into any areas with scar tissue, stretch marks, rashes, moles or other, similarly affected skin.

Administering your Wegovy:

1. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops, and your prescribed dose lines up with the dose pointer.
2. Position the pen at the injection site.
3. Insert the needle into your skin and inject the medication by holding down the dose button while you count to 6.
4. The ‘0’ icon should be visible in the dose window before removing the needle from the skin.
5. Remove the needle from your skin.
6. If blood appears at the injection site, press on it lightly with a clean tissue, but do not rub the area.

Disposing of medication:

1. Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface. Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on.
2. Unscrew the needle and dispose of it in your sharps bin.
3. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use.

Once you've used all 4 doses from your pen, you can dispose of it in your household bin. You don't need to use a sharps container.

Wegovy Storage requirements

Store your pen safely in the refrigerator until your next dose.

How to Inject Mounjaro

With MedExpress, you’ll receive 1 Mounjaro pen each month. Mounjaro is a weekly injection, and each pen contains 4 doses. You'll also receive 4 disposable needles and you must use a new one each time you inject.

For best results, you should keep your weekly dosage schedule consistent (the same day.) [2]

Preparing and checking your Mounjaro:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
2. Remove your medication from the refrigerator and make sure all the items you need are nearby on a clean surface. This includes your medication pen, alcohol swab, sharps bin and disposable needle.
3. Remove the pen cap.
4. Check your pen for any signs of damage. Also check that the medication in the window of the pen is clear and colourless to slightly yellow.
5. Do not use medication if the pen has signs of damage, or if the medication is cloudy or discoloured. [2]
6. Wipe the red inner seal of the pen with the alcohol wipe.
7. Select a needle to use for your injection and check the paper tab and the outer needle cap for damages. If you see any damage, dispose of the needle in a sharps bin, as this could affect sterility.
8. Tear off the paper tab from the needle, then push the needle into the pen and twist until it's secure.
9. You'll notice that the needle is covered by two caps. Remove both caps from the needle, keeping the outer cap (to safely dispose of your medication later).

Priming your Mounjaro pen:

1. Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. This is the prime position.
2. With the needle pointing upwards, tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top.
3. Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. A small amount of medicine should come out the tip of the needle and the ‘0’ icon must be shown in the dose window.
4. If a small amount of medicine is not released, repeat these steps an additional 2 times. On the third time, change the pen needle and repeat again.

Mounjaro Injection site selection:

Mounjaro is given as a subcutaneous injection (into the fatty tissue layer between the skin and muscle). [2] When choosing an injection site, remember to choose one where you can see the pen window and which is easily accessible. This could be your stomach, the front of your thigh or, if you have someone to help, the back of your upper arm. [2] Do not inject Mounjaro into a muscle or a vein.

You should also avoid injecting into any areas which are affected by scars, stretch marks, rashes, moles or similar conditions.

And, if you take insulin, you must not mix insulin and Mounjaro together in the same injection. You may inject Mounjaro and insulin in the same body area, like your stomach, but not right next to each other.

Administering your Mounjaro:

1. Clean the site with the alcohol swab provided.
2. Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon is shown in the dose window.
3. Position the pen at the injection site.
4. Insert the needle into your skin and inject the medication by holding down the dose knob. Count to 5. The ‘0’ icon should be visible in the dose window before removing the needle from the skin.
5. Remove the needle from your skin.
6. If blood appears at the injection site, press on it lightly with a clean tissue, but do not rub the area.

Disposing of medication:

1. Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface. Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on.
2. Unscrew the needle from your pen and dispose of it in your sharps bin.
3. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use.

Mounjaro Storage requirements

Store your pen safely in the refrigerator until your next dose. [2]

We’re here to help

If you have any other questions about the weight loss injection process, from side effects to injection technique, our MedExpress team is here for you.

Or, if you're still exploring your treatment options, find out what may be suitable for you with MedExpress.

References

1. GB -Wegovy PIL-Version 7 [Internet]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13799.pdf
2. Package leaflet: Information for the patient Mounjaro ® 2.5 mg KwikPen ® solution for injection in pre-filled pen Mounjaro ® 5 mg KwikPen ® solution for injection in pre-filled pen Mounjaro ® 7.5 mg KwikPen ® solution for injection in pre-filled pen Mounjaro ® 10 mg KwikPen ® solution for injection in pre-filled pen Mounjaro ® 12.5 mg KwikPen ® solution for injection in pre-filled pen Mounjaro ® 15 mg KwikPen ® solution for injection in pre [Internet]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.15484.pdf