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Wegovy

Get guidance on preparing, administering and managing your Wegovy treatment, and learn about possible side effects.

Dr Adam Abbs
Dr Adam Abbs

Medical Director

With MedExpress you'll receive 1 Wegovy pen each month; this pen contains 4 doses. You'll also receive 4 disposable needles and you must use a new one each time you inject.

Preparing and checking your Wegovy

  1. 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 disposable needle.
  2. Check the name and dose of the pen to make sure it contains the prescribed dose of Wegovy.
  3. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
  4. Pull off the pen cap.
  5. Check your pen isn’t expired or damaged and check that the medication is clear and colourless in the window of the pen. Do not use the medication if the pen is damaged or expired or if the solution is discoloured or cloudy.
  6. Select a needle to use for your injection. Always use a new needle for each injection, and never use a bent or damaged needle.
  7. 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 straight onto the pen and twist until it's secure.
  9. The needle is covered by two caps. Pull off the outer needle cap and keep it for later. Pull off the inner needle cap and dispose of it.
  10. Remove both caps from the needle, keeping the outer cap for later to safely dispose of your medication.

Getting ready to inject

Only check the Wegovy® flow before your first injection with each new 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 the dose counter returns to -0- and a small drop of medication appears at the tip of the needle. This drop indicates that the pen 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 and if there is still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more. Do not use the pen if a drop of Wegovy does not appear.

Choosing an injection site

When choosing an injection site remember to choose one where you can see the pen window and is easily accessible.

  1. Choose an injection site: upper arms, stomach or the front of your thighs. It doesn’t matter which site you choose — it’s entirely up to you.
  2. Rotate your injection site every week to reduce skin reactions.

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 at a 90 degree angle.
  3. Insert the needle into your skin and inject the medication by holding down the dose button while you count to 6.
  4. Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows "0," then continue holding for 6 seconds to ensure full delivery of your treatment.
  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.

If you're taking Wegovy 7.2mg, the dose instructions are a little different.

At launch, Wegovy 7.2mg is delivered as three 2.4mg injections per week, taken on the same day. Each week, you will use one dose from each of your three pens.

Each pen contains four 2.4mg doses, so one pen will not last the full month. This is normal and expected. You receive three pens per month to make sure you can take the correct three doses each week.

These injections can be given in the same body area (such as your stomach, thigh or arm), but they should be placed at least 5 cm apart. Rotating between injection sites each week can help reduce irritation. We offer over-the-counter EMLA numbing cream to help make injections more comfortable. Always follow the instructions on the packaging before use.

This temporary setup is fully medically approved and safe. When the single-dose 7.2mg pen becomes available, the process will be simpler.

It didn't hurt… Did the dose actually go in?

It's very common to feel little or nothing during a GLP-1 injection. The needles used in these pens are extremely fine, so the injection is designed to be as gentle as possible.

Because of that, many people are surprised by how easy it feels. Some even wonder if the dose actually went in.

The best way to check is to look at the pen. If you saw the dose counter return to zero, held the pen in place for the recommended time (5 seconds), and the plunger has moved down inside the pen, your medication has been delivered.

Not feeling much during the injection doesn't mean anything went wrong. In fact, it often means the pen worked exactly as it should.

Disposing of medication

  1. Place the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface.
  2. Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on.
  3. Unscrew the needle and dispose of it in your sharps bin.
  4. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use and store it safely in the refrigerator until your next dose.

What if the pen doesn't work?

If you pressed the dose button and the number in the dose window didn't change from your prescribed dose to "0", or the button couldn't be pressed at all, your dose may not have been delivered. In that case, don't attempt to inject again straight away. Contact our clinical team who will advise you on next steps.

You won't waste your dose: How your pen protects you

It's completely normal to feel a bit nervous before your first few injections, especially when the medication is expensive. Many people worry about doing something wrong or wasting a dose. The reassuring thing is that injection pens are carefully designed to make dosing simple and reliable.

The pen delivers a fixed dose each time, so you can't accidentally dial up more medication than intended. The mechanism inside the pen controls exactly how much medication is released, helping ensure the correct amount is delivered with each injection.

Priming the pen before use helps make sure the medication can flow smoothly through the needle, and the needles themselves are very thin and designed for single use.

Even if you feel a little hesitant pressing the button, the pen is built to work reliably when the basic steps are followed. And if you happen to hold the pen in place slightly longer than recommended, that's absolutely fine. It won't affect your dose.

Blood, bumps and bruises. What's normal after injecting?

Answer? All of the above. After an injection, you might notice a few small changes in your skin. This can include a tiny spot of blood, a small raised bump where the medication was injected, or mild bruising that appears later. These reactions are quite common and usually settle on their own.

They don't mean the injection was done incorrectly, and they don't affect whether your medication was delivered properly. More significant reactions are rare. If you notice severe pain, large swelling, or signs of infection around the injection site, it's a good idea to seek medical advice.

Where should I inject? The stomach v. thigh argument

You can inject your medication into your stomach, thigh or upper arm. All of these approved injection sites work equally well.

Because of that, there isn't a "best" place to inject. The right spot is simply the one that feels most comfortable for you and fits easily into your routine.

Some people prefer the stomach because it's easy to see and reach. Others prefer the thigh because it feels more comfortable when sitting down.

What matters most isn't the exact location; it's consistency. Choosing a spot that works for you and rotating your injection sites regularly helps keep the process simple and comfortable over time.

Your medication will work the same whichever approved site you choose.

Finding your right dose

The right dose is the one that feels sustainable — where you’re seeing steady progress and feeling well along the way. For many people, that might mean losing around 0.5–1kg per week, but everyone’s journey looks a little different.

If your weight loss feels too fast or you have uncomfortable side effects, it’s absolutely fine to stay on a lower dose for longer. What matters most is finding a pace and dose that work for you.

Our clinical team will continue to check in on your progress to make sure Wegovy is safe, effective, and helping you move toward your goals.