Wegovy is a weekly injectable medication used to regulate blood sugar levels and help with weight loss.
Get to know the Wegovy pen
Wegovy is a weight loss prescription drug that contains Semaglutide, the same active ingredient as medicines like Ozempic.
It comes in an injector pen, also known as a “medicine pen” or simply “pen.” If you have been prescribed Wegovy, this may be your first time taking self-control shots.
Most people find syringe pens easier to use than syringes, as they allow for simple and accurate administration of injectable medications.
The Wegovy pen is about 6 inches long, with a pen cap on one end and a small plunger button on the other end. The pen comes in five colors, each corresponding to a pre-measured dose. Each box in Wegovy contains four pens, all of which are the same dose.
Once you remove the pen cap, you will see a clear drug chamber at the tip of the pen and just behind it. The pen’s body has a label with information about the drug and dosage.
Unlike many other injectable drug pens, the Wegovy pen does not have a visible needle. This is because it has an automatic injector similar to an insulin pen or an ozempic pen, but the Wegovy pen will administer a single preload dose.
If you have never used a pen before, your doctor or pharmacist can guide you on how to safely use the Wegovy pen. Additionally, the manufacturer provides detailed instructions on its website.
What do the dose look like?
The dose prescribed in milligrams should match the dose listed on the pen label. Each pen contains a dose per week and is designed for first use before being discarded.
There are five different dose sizes, each with a different pen color.
- 0.25 milligrams (mg) (teal) for initiation of treatment
- 0.50 mg (pink)
- 1 mg (brown or orange)
- 1.7 mg (blue)
- 2.4 mg (dark gray)
Always make sure both the packaging and pen are clearly labeled with the prescribed dose. Ensure accuracy before injecting as the color and label of the pen may change.
Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor, as overdose can lead to serious side effects.
What is the best place to inject Wegovy?
Wegovy is designed to be administered just below the skin by injection.
Drugs injected under the skin are best when injected into parts of the body with adipose tissue.
Injections into lean or almost muscular parts of the body are not recommended as they tend to be painful, can cause bleeding more than normal and may reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Wegovy should not be injected into veins or arteries.
According to the drug manufacturer, the three best places on the body to inject Wegovy are the front of the thighs, the abdomen (at least 2 inches from the buttons on the stomach), especially the back of the upper arm.
read more: How to avoid bruises at the injection site.
How to inject Wegovy
Inject wegovy into the adipose tissue, once a week under the skin, under the skin. Time is not an issue.
The steps to follow are:
Check the pen
First, make sure your pen is not damaged and your medication is not overdue.
If any of these are not the case, please contact the manufacturer at 1-833-934-6891.
If all of these conditions are met, proceed as follows:
- Prepare a pen and get an alcohol swab.
- Make sure you have the correct pen and dosage.
- Remove the pen cap and make sure the liquid inside the pen is colorless and transparent.
Prepare the injection site
Select areas with more adipose tissue, such as the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms.
Clean the area with an alcohol swab.
Inject Wegovy
Press the pen firmly against your skin at a 90-degree angle. When the pen is pressed firmly against the skin, the automatic injector is activated.
Listen to the first click and indicate that the injection has begun.
Hold the pen for about 10 seconds until you hear a second click, informing you that the injection is complete.
Watch the yellow plunger bar move into the pen window as it supplies the medicine.
Recap the pen and discard it
Replace the pen cap and disposable pen.
A small amount of blood is normal. Apply pressure with an alcohol swab if necessary.
Is the injection painful?
The Wegovy pen uses a small needle to inject the medication just below the skin into the adipose tissue. The needles are so thin and short that most people don’t even feel it.
If you are sensitive to cold liquid injections, consider removing the pen from the fridge 1-2 hours before use.
Medication to room temperature before injection can reduce potential discomfort. Don’t forget to maintain the cap until you are ready to administer the dose.
How can I tell if I injected correctly?
To check for proper injection:
- Listen to the two clicks, look at the clear window on the pen and see the yellow plunger moving the medicine inside.
- The plunger stops moving before removing the pen from your skin.
- Keep the automatic injector in place for at least 10 seconds to keep it in contact with your skin.
If you have concerns or think something has gone wrong, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
What is the best time to inject Wegovy?
There is no clinically proven best time to inject Wegovy. The key is to choose a consistent day each week.
For example, if you decide to take Wegovy on Monday, you can take it anytime, but you will continue to receive treatment at the same time every Monday.
To help remember, you can either mark the box where the pen comes in or set a phone reminder to avoid missing the dose for the day on your calendar.
What should I do if I missed the dose?
If you missed the dose, take it as soon as possible within 5 days. However, if more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on a regular scheduled day.
In short, if the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days (48 hours), do not take the dose you missed. Just wait and resume your normal dosing schedule.
How do I store a Wegovy pen?
Proper storage of Wegovy is essential to maintain its effectiveness.
- Refrigerate at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
- Please do not freeze.
- Store the medicine in its original container to protect it from light.
Why does my Wegovy pen have no needles?
When you open a new Wegovy pen, you will notice that unlike an insulin pen, there is no visible needle.
This is because the Wegovy pen uses an automatic injector with a small needle integrated into the body of the pen.
As a result, you do not need to look or handle needles when taking medication.
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