How to Inject Wegovy (Plus 4 More Tips to Get the Most From Wegovy)

The weight-loss medication, Wegovy (semaglutide), has gained a lot of attention since it was first approved in 2021. That’s because on average, people taking it during clinical trials lost almost 15% of their body weight. But if you’re just getting started on Wegovy, how can you get the most from treatment?

The first step is knowing how to inject Wegovy correctly. This includes when and where to inject Wegovy, too. And if you miss a dose, no problem! There are steps you can follow to get back on track. It’s also possible to change your Wegovy injection day if it’s no longer convenient.

Your prescriber and pharmacist likely walked you through the basics for injecting Wegovy. But if you need a refresher, we’ve got you covered.

1. Where should you inject Wegovy?

If you’re wondering where to inject Wegovy — you have options! There are three Wegovy injection areas: under the skin of your stomach, upper thigh, or upper arms. And one area isn’t considered better or more effective than the other.

You can stick with the same area of the body or rotate body areas each time you inject. But it’s best not to inject in the same exact spot within a body area every time. Changing injection sites every week can help prevent injection site reactions.

The Wegovy needle is thin and short, but long enough to get under the skin. Because of this, Wegovy injections usually aren’t painful. Avoid injecting Wegovy into muscles, veins, or scars. And stay away from any skin that looks red, bruised, or cut.

Here are a few general tips for each Wegovy injection site:

• Stomach: The stomach may be one the easiest places to inject Wegovy. And some people may find injecting the stomach hurts less than other areas. If you choose this spot, avoid injecting within 2 inches of your belly button.

• Upper thighs: Use the front upper part of the thigh for injection. Avoid the inner thigh. You can sit or stand while injecting.

• Upper arms: This area can be difficult for some people to reach. It would be best to ask a trusted family member or friend to give you the injection here.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Proper storage: When stored improperly, medications like Wegovy may not work as well for weight loss. Pharmacists cover practical and easy-to-follow tips for storing and traveling with Wegovy for best results.

• What to expect: Have you recently started Wegovy, but you’re unsure what to expect? Three people describe what it’s like to take Wegovy, from side effects to how it has changed their eating habits.

• Barriers to success: Weight-loss medications such as Wegovy can be effective for many people, but they don’t work for everyone. Experts discuss why you might not be losing weight with Wegovy, including potential causes and what you can do about it.

2. How should you inject Wegovy?

Wegovy is a subcutaneous injection, which means that you inject it under the skin. Once you’ve picked your injection site, follow the steps below to successfully inject your dose:

1. Find a clean, clear workspace. Find a quiet area where you can focus on your injection. Make sure you have a clear, clean table or counter to work on.

2. Gather your supplies. Remove a new Wegovy pen from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you inject. Gather an alcohol swab, a cotton pad or gauze, and a sharps container.

3. Wash your hands. Use soap and water to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Make sure they’re fully clean and dry before proceeding.

4. Examine your Wegovy pen. Make sure your pen isn’t damaged or broken. The medication should appear clear through the pen window. Check the expiration date. If the expiration date has passed, throw away the pen and use a new, unexpired pen instead.

5. Prepare the area. Clean the injection area with an alcohol swab, or use soap and water. Allow the area to dry completely before injecting your dose. Don’t blow on the site to make it dry faster and avoid touching the area after it has been cleaned.

6. Remove the pen cap. Once your skin looks dry, you can remove the cap from the pen. The needle is already attached to the pen — hidden inside the needle cover.

7. Inject your dose. Make sure that you can see the pen window. Press the pen firmly against the cleaned area of skin — this action will deploy the needle. The pen will click once when starting the injection. A yellow bar will move down the pen window and the pen will click again. Once the yellow bar has stopped moving, the injection is complete. Remove the needle from your body.

8. Inspect the area. It‘s normal to see a little blood after the injection. Use a clean cotton pad or gauze to wipe the area.

9. Throw away the pen. Each Wegovy pen only has one dose. So, you can drop your pen into the sharps container when you’re finished. This will help prevent anyone else from getting poked by the needle.

There may be situations where your Wegovy pen malfunctions. For example, the yellow bar might not start moving, even after you apply enough pressure. Or, it might stop moving too early. In these cases, you should contact your prescriber or call the manufacturer at 1-833-934-6891 for guidance.

Promotion disclosure

Wegovy

Avg retail price

$1649.08(Save 20.03%)

GoodRx discount

$1318.76

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

If you notice liquid coming out of your Wegovy pen or leaking out of the injection site after your dose, it’s possible that you didn’t receive the full dose. Next time you inject Wegovy, make sure you hold the pen firmly against your skin until the yellow bar stops moving before pulling it away.

3. When should you inject Wegovy?

You should inject Wegovy once per week, on the same day each week. It’s a good idea to pick a day that works best for you and stick with it. Once you pick your day, you’ll want to mark it in your calendar. Medication reminder apps are another way to stay on top of your weekly dose.

There’s no best time of day to inject Wegovy. Just remember to stick to the same day each week. You also don’t need to schedule Wegovy around meals. You can inject the medication with or without regards to food. Food will not change how well Wegovy works.

4. What should you do if you miss a Wegovy dose?

Life happens and you may accidentally miss a dose of Wegovy. If your Wegovy dose is due within the next 48 hours (2 days), just wait until your scheduled day to take it. Don’t inject 2 doses of Wegovy within 48 hours or less of each other.

If it’s more than 48 hours until your scheduled injection day, you should inject your missed Wegovy dose on the day you remember. After that, resume injecting Wegovy on your usual day.

If you’ve missed at least 2 weeks of doses, talk to your prescriber. You may be able to pick up your injections where you left off. Otherwise, they may have you restart the Wegovy dosing schedule to limit side effects.

If you find that you’re often forgetting to inject Wegovy on time, a weekly alarm or reminder on your phone can help you stay on track with your medication schedule. Also, you may find it helpful to write your injection dates on the Wegovy box or in your calendar.

Changing your Wegovy injection day

But what if your usual injection day isn’t convenient anymore — can you change which day you inject Wegovy? Yes, you can.

As mentioned above, the general rule is to avoid 2 Wegovy injections within 48 hours of each other. This also applies when changing your Wegovy injection day. Your prescriber or pharmacist can help you change your injection day safely.

5. What can you do if you experience side effects from Wegovy?

For many people, Wegovy side effects are manageable and tend to go away over time. You’re more likely to experience them as you’re first getting started and after your dose is increased, which happens slowly over several months. Common Wegovy side effects can include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stomach pain

• Headache

• Upset stomach

Even though side effects are usually temporary, they can make it difficult to stick with treatment. Here are a few tips for dealing with Wegovy side effects:

• Start by eating lower-fat, bland foods.

• Keep spicy foods and alcohol to a minimum.

• Eat slowly and mindfully, and don’t lie down right after you eat.

• Try walking for 10 minutes or more after you finish eating.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t restrict your stomach.

Tell your healthcare team if any of these side effects don’t get better over time, or if they become worse. They can help you manage your symptoms or adjust your dose, if needed.

Tips on how to save money on your Wegovy prescription

There are ways to save on Wegovy, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx discounts and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Wegovy using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 20% off the average retail price of Wegovy. Wegovy’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $1319.16 with a free GoodRx discount.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Niousha Nader, PharmD, BCCCP

Niousha Nader, PharmD, BCCCP is a critical care and geriatric specialist. She has over 12 years of hospital experience, which also includes pediatric, emergency, surgical, and oncologic pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts