Wegovy Injection Sites: Where and How to Best Inject Wegovy

Medically reviewed by

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago 8 min read

Let’s face it. Weight loss is hard. It requires time, patience, and lifestyle changes. However, some people need the added help of Wegovy, an FDA-approved weight loss medication.

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication that is used to promote weight loss in individuals with obesity and overweight. Wegovy is intended for use in individuals with a BMI of 30 or above. Those with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese. Wegovy can also be used by individuals with a BMI of 27 or above.

People with a BMI of 27 and above are considered overweight. Wegovy is a good treatment option if you have a preexisting condition or a weight-related comorbidity, and you want to lose weight. Wegovy can be injected into the upper arm, stomach, or the front of the thighs. But where and how should you inject Wegovy if you want to lose weight?

According to experts, you should inject Wegovy into the stomach, upper arm, or the front of your thighs. All three of these locations are effective in getting the medication into your system. However, it is important to follow a number of steps when you take Wegovy. If you are injecting the medication into your upper arm, it’s important to clean the area first. You should also look at the expiration date on your pen and the color of the solution in the pen.

Don’t take Wegovy if the medication looks cloudy or if it is expired. If the medicine appears cloudy, it is likely that it was not “sorted properly” and that the medication itself may be invalid for use. Always take these safety measures when you give yourself a dose of this medication. If you are injecting Wegovy into your stomach, make sure that the injection site is at least two inches away from your belly button.

Do not inject Wegovy into a muscle or vein. Instead, it is important to inject the medication into the area of skin you pinch to inject the medication. To find a place to inject, take your fingers and pinch your skin, so you have some skin to inject the medication into. Once you have found a spot to pinch, press the pen tightly against your skin, and inject the medication. Hold the pen in your skin for a total of 10 seconds. This is how long it takes for the whole process to be completed.

Released in 2014, Wegovy is one of the most exciting weight loss drugs in recent history, because of its effectiveness and its ability to cause weight loss. Wegovy comes from a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 medications. Wegovy is a form of Semaglutide. The drug operates by working on hunger receptors in the brain.

Wegovy also slows gastric emptying, which means your stomach empties its contents more slowly, making you less inclined to overeat. You should always follow the instructions on the Wegovy pen.

The stomach, thighs, and upper arms are all ideal injection sites for Wegovy. However, there are a few things you should be aware of. According to Drugs.com, you should never use the same injection site each week. Rotate injection sites.

Participants in studies on the use of Wegovy found that those who take Wegovy for weight loss typically lose about 15 percent of their overall body weight. These findings are the result of a study of Semaglutide and its effect on weight loss. Those who took Wegovy were much more successful in losing weight than were people who took a placebo and attempted weight loss through diet and exercise alone. The study followed participants over a period of 68 weeks. For Wegovy to be effective, however, it must be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

But what about methods? What is the best way to inject Wegovy?

According to experts, Wegovy pens come with a needle already inside of them. It is important to keep the pen’s cap on until you are ready to inject it. According to Webmed Pharmacy, adults who take Wegovy usually lose about 35 pounds, which equals out to 15 percent of one’s overall body weight. Those who try to lose weight through diet and exercise alone tend to lose 2.5 percent of their overall body weight.

Wegovy is the first weight loss medication that is taken once per week. The fact that you take the medication once per week makes it convenient and easy to use for most people. However, not everything is perfect, and Wegovy does come with some downsides. Wegovy is known to increase your risk of pancreatitis. It comes with several other side effects that you should be aware of.

Don’t take Wegovy if you or a family member have a history of medullary thyroid cancer, which is also known as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). You should also not take Wegovy if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 or MEN 2. MEN2 is an endocrine system condition.

According to Nice Rx, Wegovy comes in a number of strengths and dosages. The starting dose for Wegovy is 0.25 milligrams for the first four weeks. After nine months to a year, a patient’s dosage may be increased to 1.7 milligrams. Eventually, some patients end up taking 2.4 milligrams of this medication. Wegovy should be taken on the same day each week at any time of the day. It can be taken with or without food.

Wegovy is a subcutaneous injection. This means that the medicine is injected under the skin. If you have type 2 diabetes, monitor your glucose levels before and while you take this medication.

There may be cases when you miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, it is important to place at least two days between doses. If your next dose is fewer than two days away, do not take the missed dose. Instead, take your medication on its next scheduled day.

If you miss more than two doses in a two-week period, you may need to go back to taking a starting dose of 0.25 milligrams and then escalate your schedule back to its regular dosage. This requires a doctor’s direction. You should not attempt to change dosages on your own.

If you become pregnant when you are on this medication, stop taking it immediately, and speak with your doctor. If you are trying to become pregnant, you should not take this medication. You should stop taking Wegovy two months prior to attempting to become pregnant. Experts don’t know if this medication makes its way into breastmilk, so it is best to be careful.

What are Wegovy’s other side effects? According to experts, Wegovy can also cause:

Abdominal pain
Headache
Flatulence
Hypoglycemia
Allergic reactions
Hypersensitivity
C-cell tumors
Increased heart rate
Diabetic retinopathy

Wegovy is effective in its ability to manage and help you lose weight. Of course, it is always important to talk with your doctor about any other medications you are taking, as there may be drug interactions. Wegovy stays in your system for five to seven weeks after you take your last dose. The maximum dosage of Wegovy is 2.4 milligrams.

Because Wegovy can cause hypoglycemia, it should not be taken by those who take sulfonylureas or insulin. You should not freeze Wegovy. In studies involving rodents, Wegovy and medications like it were found to cause thyroid cancer. Wegovy is approved for long-term use and is most effective when combined with a low calorie diet.

Be sure to get into a routine of exercising regularly. Walking, running, and riding a bicycle are great ways to get cardiovascular exercise, while boosting your energy. While it may seem that exercise drains you, this is not always the case. Exercising is a great way to turbocharge your energy and get motivation for a diet and anticipated weight loss.

So how much does Wegovy cost? The amount you pay for Wegovy ultimately depends on the type of insurance plan you have and the pharmacy you use to get your medication. Ideally, it is best to get a good insurance plan that offers good prices on copays. However, bear in mind that Wegovy does not come in a generic form. Generic medications are usually less expensive than their brand name counterparts, so plan accordingly.

Wegovy is cheaper when you have insurance. The cost of this medication will depend on a number of factors, including your location, the number of pens you purchase, and a myriad of other factors. To find out how much you will have to pay for Wegovy, speak with your insurance company or pharmacist. They may be able to tell you how much you have to pay when you get Wegovy through your insurance.

In individuals who are 12 years old and above, Wegovy can be prescribed when a child’s body mass index “is in the 95th percentile” or above.

7 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.novomedlink.com/obesity/products/treatments/wegovy/resources/frequently-asked-questions.html

https://www.drugs.com/wegovy.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33755728/

https://webmedpharmacy.co.uk/wegovy/wegovy-questions

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/wegovy#cost

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354161

https://www.invigormedical.com/weight-loss/wegovy-benefits-and-side-effects-what-you-need-to-know/

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.

Share Tweet

Wegovy Injection Sites: Where and How to Best Inject Wegovy

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Credentials

Medical Director At:

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

Pharmacy Disclaimer

Weight Loss Guarantee

Don’t miss a single update!

Wegovy Injection Sites: Where and How to Best Inject Wegovy

Cookie Policy