What you need to know before you start
Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication. Each Wegovy injection pen comes pre-filled with medication. 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg pens come with a separate set of needles, while 7.2 mg pens come with an attached needle.
During delivery, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg pens can be delivered without refrigeration. The 7.2 mg pen, however, has not been approved for this, meaning it will be delivered in temperature-controlled packaging. If your 7.2 mg pen arrives and is at room temperature, contact us for help.
Wegovy pens can be delivered without refrigeration for up to 48 hours. The MHRA approved this on April 26. The Wegovy HD 7.2 mg pens however must still be delivered using cold-chain.
Preparing for your Wegovy injection
Wegovy (semaglutide) is given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. This means it’s injected just under the skin. Each pen contains 4 doses, meaning you will use the pen once a week for a month. It is important to use a fresh needle each time you use your Wegovy pen.
For the 7.2 mg pen, each pen contains a full dose with a built-in needle. You should dispose of 7,2 mg pens after each use.
Choosing your injection site
The recommended Wegovy injection sites are:
- Upper arm
- Thigh
- Abdomen (at least 5cm from your navel).
Do not use an injection site if the skin is bruised or tender.
Ensure your chosen injection site is sterile by wiping the area with the alcohol swab provided.
Why you should rotate your injection site each week
Not every patient will have the same experience, using specific each injection site. You will find the injection sites that work best for you over time.
What matters is that you rotate your site each week. Using the same injection area consistently can cause irritation.
Checking your medication
Before using your pen, you should check it over.
Ensure the pen casing is intact, with no cracks or leaks.
Check the medication window to make sure your Wegovy is clear and colourless.
Discouloured or cloudy medication should not be used. If you can see visible crystals in your medication, it has frozen and should not be used.
Before using you pen there a few quick check:
- Ensure the pen casing is intact – no cracks or leaks
- Check the dose of the pen is correct
- Check the pen window and confirm the solution is clear and colourless
If you can see visible crystals in your medication, it has frozen and should not be used.
If the Wegovy solution (in the window) is discoloured or cloudy it should not be used.
How to use Wegovy 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg pens: step-by-step instructions
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Clean your injection site with a swab and allow to dry. This can be your arm, thigh or abdomen.
- Remove pen cap. Keep the cap handy for later.
- Check the pen label to make sure you are using the right dose.
- Check the solution in the pen window is clear and colourless.
- Tear off the paper tab from the needle seal.
- Attach a new needle to the pen. Center and push the needle straight onto the pen and turn, making sure it is screwed on tight.
- Remove the outer needle cap and keep it to one side.
- If this is your first injection with a new pen, perform a flow check. Turn the dose selector to the flow check symbol ‘ : ‘ – point the pen up and press the dose button. A little solution will come out to let you know there is no air in the solution.
- Turn the dose selector until your prescribed dose lines up with the dose pointer.
- Insert the needle into your skin. Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows zero, count slowly to six before removing the needle.
- If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly to stop the bleeding.
- On a flat surface, lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap without touching the needle. Push the cap on fully, unscrew the needle and dispose of it immediately into a sharps bin to reduce the risk of a needlestick injury.
- Replace the pen cap after every use to protect the solution from light and store as directed.
See the Patient Information Leaflet for more details.
How to take Wegovy HD 7.2 mg: what’s different at the highest dose
Rather than a single pen delivering multiple doses, the 7.2 mg pen is single use. Each pen provides a full dose, and should only be used once. As each pen comes with a built-in needle, you must dispose of the entire pen after use.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Clean your injection site with a swab and allow to dry. This can be your arm, thigh or abdomen.
- Remove the pen cap. Keep the cap handy for later.
- Check the pen label to make sure you are using the right dose.
- Check the solution in the pen window is clear and colourless.
- Remove the cap from the pen. Pull the cap straight off – do not twist it.
- Press the pen against your skin. Hold the pen at 90 degrees (straight in) and press it flat and firmly against the cleaned skin. The injection starts automatically when the pen is pressed down. You should hear a click.
- Listen for the second click of the pen and check the yellow bar in the dose window. The bar will start to move. If the bar doesn’t move, press the pen more firmly against your skin.
- Hold until the yellow bar stops. Keep the pen pressed firmly in place until the yellow bar has completely stopped moving. Then count slowly to 10 seconds before lifting the pen away.
- Remove the pen slowly. The needle cover will lock automatically.
- Clean up with a light press with gauze or a cotton ball. Do not rub the injection site. Once removed, the injection cannot be paused or restarted.
- Dispose of the whole pen in a sharps bin. The 7.2mg pen has a built-in hidden needle – the entire pen goes into an approved sharps container.
Do not put it in household rubbish.
Do not try to touch or remove the needle..
See the Patient Information Leaflet for Weogovy HD 7.2 mg pens for more information.
When to take Wegovy
How often should you inject Wegovy?
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection. This means that each pen will contain 4 doses, taken over for 4 weeks.
The 7.2 mg pen, however, contains a full dose. These pens are single-use only. You will receive 4 7.2 mg pens with your order, to make sure you can complete a 4-week dose schedule.
What time of day should you take Wegovy?
Many patients find it easier to take Wegovy as part of their morning routine. However, some patients prefer to take it in the evening or at night. This allows them to sleep through any discomfort or side effects they experience around the time of their injection.
What if you miss a Wegovy dose?
If you miss a dose of Wegovy, you should take it as soon as possible once you remember. After that, return to your regular schedule. If you miss by more than 5 days, skip that dose and start again the next week.
For instance, if you take your injection on a Monday morning, you can take it any time on Monday if needed. If you forget, you have until Friday to take it, and then the next week go back to taking it on a Monday morning.
If you miss your dose until Saturday, simply wait until the next Monday morning to take your dose.
How to store your Wegovy pen
We advise storing your Wegovy pen in the fridge. Where possible, do not store at the back of the fridge or in the door. Instead, store your pen in the main body of the fridge.
This helps to ensure it has the longest shelf life. You can store Wegovy at room temperature for up to six weeks once the pen is in use. For 7.2 mg pens, you can store them outside of the fridge for 4 weeks.
Do not exceed the expiry date on the packaging.
How to dispose of your Wegovy pen and needles safely
Once you have used your Wegovy pen, use the cap to remove the needle. Dispose of any needles in a sharps bin.
You can take the pen to your local pharmacy for proper disposal. You can also use the PenCycle scheme, which allows these pens to be recycled.
Because the 7.2 mg pen has a built-in needle, you will need to dispose of the whole pen. Do not try to touch or remove the needle, as this can result in a needle-stick injury. The needle is not designed to be removed from the pen. Instead, take these pens to your local pharmacy, or contact PenCycle.
Are Wegovy pills easier to take?
With the launch of Wegovy pills, some people might find it easier to remember to take a daily pill than a weekly dose. However, the guidelines for how to take Wegovy pills are quite different.
Wegovy pills should be taken with 125ml of water (no more), at least half an hour before eating. This is normally easier first thing in the morning. For some people, this will be much easier than remembering a weekly injection. Others may find needing to take a daily pill more difficult.
Key takeaways
- Where possible, take your injections at the same time, once a week, on the same day.
- Before your first injection with a new pen, it is important to check the flow of your pen.
- Carefully prepare a new needle for each injection. Do not reuse needles.
- Before injecting, make sure your injection site is clean, and that the pen and medication are suitable for use.
- Once you inject, hold down the button for up to ten seconds to ensure efficacy.
- When you have completed your dose, dispose of the needles in a sharps bin.
- The 7.2 mg Wegovy pen is used in a different way. Rather than one pen for 4 doses, each pen is a single dose. Dispose of the 7.2 mg pen after use.
References
Starting And Staying on Wegovy®, Novo Nordisk (accessed 28th May 2026)
Your Complete Guide to the Wegovy® Pen, Novo Nordisk (accessed 28th May 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions, Novo Nordisk (accessed 28th May 2026)
Authorship
Authored by Ian Coakley
Medical Content Writer
Ian is a content writer at Simple Online Pharmacy. With a background in science communication, editing, and freelance writing, Ian aims to empower readers with accessible health information.
Medically Reviewed by Craig Marsh
Pharmacist
GPhC: 2070724
Criag has been a pharmacist since 2009, working previously as an advanced practitioner in general practice. Craig also has a background in community pharmacy and now online healthcare. He has tutored trainee healthcare professionals, such as Pharmacists, medical students and physician associates previously to help them pass their OSCE exams.
