How to follow Wegovy administration instructions correctly

What do you actually do when you inject Wegovy?

Start by washing your hands thoroughly, then take the pen out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes, cold medicine can make the injection more uncomfortable. While you wait, choose your injection site. The three licensed areas are the abdomen (at least 5 cm away from the navel), the front of the thigh, or the outer upper arm. Rotate around these sites each week so no patch of skin gets overworked; keeping a simple note of where you last injected is enough.

When you are ready, clean the chosen spot with an alcohol swab and let it dry completely. Remove the pen cap, press the pen firmly against the skin, and press the button. You will hear or feel a click to confirm the dose has started; keep the pen held in place until a second click confirms delivery is complete, then lift it away. The pen locks automatically after use. If you would like to see the technique demonstrated step by step, our semaglutide administration video can help you feel more confident before your first attempt, and a walkthrough video guide is also available.

Dispose of the used pen in a suitable sharps container immediately. Never recap, bend or put it in a household bin. If you are unsure about any of these steps, the Patient Information Leaflet included in your box is the most reliable reference, your prescriber is also there to answer questions.

Which injection sites work best, and does it matter which you choose?

All three sites (abdomen, thigh and outer upper arm) are equally valid for Wegovy. The abdomen tends to be easiest to self-administer because it is straightforward to see and reach. The thigh is a good alternative when the abdomen needs a rest. The upper arm is fine too, though some people find it easier to have help from another person for that site.

Rotation matters more than people often realise. Injecting in the same spot repeatedly can cause lipohypertrophy (a firm, fatty lump under the skin) which slows absorption and makes the injection less effective. A simple system: divide the abdomen mentally into a clockface and move one position each week, or alternate left thigh, right thigh, abdomen in a three-week cycle. Whatever pattern you choose, keep it consistent. The full Wegovy injection instructions on the nume at the official patient level go into more detail on site rotation.

One thing to avoid: never inject into skin that is bruised, sore, or has active stretch marks or scarring, as absorption is unpredictable in those areas. If you notice persistent skin changes at any site, let your prescribing team know.

What about timing, does the day of the week matter?

Wegovy works best when injected on roughly the same day each week. You choose the day; it can be any day that fits your routine. If you tend to get new pens delivered around payday or start new things on a Monday, that can be a handy anchor. The key is picking a day you can reliably stick to, because consistency in timing keeps semaglutide levels steadier in your system.

If you miss a dose by less than five days, take it as soon as you remember and resume your usual schedule. If five or more days have passed, skip that dose entirely and carry on from your next scheduled day, do not take a double dose to compensate. For travel or holidays, the pen can be out of the fridge for a limited period (the exact duration is in the Patient Information Leaflet for your specific pen); plan ahead so your supply stays within the recommended window. Our frequently asked questions include practical tips on storage while travelling.

Timing changes, missed doses, and anything that disrupts your schedule are worth mentioning at your next clinical review so your prescriber can advise accordingly. Never change your dose interval on your own.

Are there side effects linked to how you inject, and when should you seek help?

The most common side effects of Wegovy are gastrointestinal (nausea, loose stools, constipation, indigestion) and these are related to the medicine itself rather than injection technique. That said, poor technique can add unnecessary discomfort. Injecting cold medicine, not rotating sites, or pressing the pen too lightly so the dose is incomplete all make the experience worse than it needs to be. Injection-site reactions such as redness, itching or a small bruise are common and usually settle within a day or two; persistent or spreading redness is worth reporting.

Seek urgent medical attention for severe, persistent stomach pain that radiates to your back, with or without vomiting. The MHRA's Yellow Card reporting service allows patients to report suspected side effects directly; doing so helps the regulator build a clearer safety picture for everyone using these medicines. For a broader overview of what semaglutide is and how it works, the semaglutide information page covers the mechanism and licensed uses in plain language.

If you are ever genuinely unsure whether a symptom is injection-related or something more serious, contact your prescribing team before your next dose. At nume, our clinical team is available seven days a week for aftercare questions, speak to our prescribers if you need guidance.