Tips for using your Wegovy® Pen
These tips can help you create a routine for using your pen.
When you’re managing your weight with Wegovy®, a reduced-calorie meal plan, and increased physical activity, there are a lot of details to remember. Whether you’re about to begin taking Wegovy® or you want a refresher, these steps for using the pen are worth taking a few minutes to review. In addition to helping with pen use, these tips can help you create a routine for taking Wegovy®.
See full Indication and Important Safety Information
First off, make sure you’ve got a clear idea of the whole injection process. Your health care provider has most likely shown you how to use your Wegovy® pen, and they can be a great resource if you have questions.
You can also watch this video for step-by-step instructions:
This video is based on the Instructions for Use that come with your Wegovy® pen.
You should store Wegovy® in the refrigerator. If needed, however, Wegovy® can be kept outside of the refrigerator between 46 °F and 86 °F for up to 28 days. Keep Wegovy® in the original carton to protect it from light. Throw away the pen if Wegovy® has been frozen. You may consider leaving your pen out to reach room temperature before using it. Make sure to leave the cap on your pen during this time.
Before you use your Wegovy® pen for the first time, make sure you read the Instructions for Use and Medication Guide that come with your pen, and that you talk to your health care provider about how to prepare for and inject Wegovy® correctly.
In each pack of Wegovy®, you’ll get 4 pens that are all the same dose. You will use 1 pen each week, on the same day each week at any time of day. Each pen is for one-time use only and comes with a preset dose. The needle is covered and will not be seen.
Now let’s talk about how to use your Wegovy® pen. We’ll discuss preparation, injection, and disposal.
To prepare, start by washing your hands. Next, let’s check a few things.
Make sure the pen indicates the correct medication and dose your health care provider prescribed. Check the pen window to make sure the medicine is clear and colorless. Do not use your Wegovy® pen if the pen appears to have been used or any part of the pen appears broken (for example, if the pen has been dropped) or if the expiration date on the back has passed. If you notice any of these things, call 1-833-934-6891. Today I’m demonstrating with the 0.25 mg pen, which is the first dose you’ll start on with Wegovy®.
Next, your health care provider can help you choose the injection site that is best for you. This can be your upper legs, lower stomach, or upper arms. You can inject Wegovy® in the same part of your body each week, but make sure it is not in the exact same spot each time.
Make sure to clean your injection site with an alcohol swab or soap and water, and don’t touch the area after cleaning. Allow your skin to dry before injecting.
Now let’s walk through the injection from start to finish.
Remove the pen cap by pulling it straight off your Wegovy® pen. It may help to create a firm area to inject. Line up the pen straight against your injection site so you can clearly see the pen’s window.
To start the injection, push the pen firmly against your skin. Make sure you continue pressing the pen firmly against your skin for the entire injection, which should take about 10 seconds.
When you hear the first click, the injection has started and the yellow bar in the pen window should start moving. If you do not hear the first click and the yellow bar does not start moving, press the pen more firmly against your skin. When the injection is still in progress, you will hear a second click. The second click means the injection is ongoing. So, keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving.
The pen window will look like this when the injection is complete. The yellow bar will not fill the entire pen window. Do not remove the pen from your skin before the yellow bar in the pen window has stopped moving. Once you’re done with your injection, slowly lift the pen away from your skin.
If you’re experiencing difficulties injecting, you can switch to a more firm injection site, such as your upper leg or upper arm. Or consider standing up while injecting into the lower stomach.
If the pen is removed from your skin too early or you have not pressed the pen firmly against your skin for the entire injection, medication may appear on the skin or squirt from the needle, and you may not get your full dose. Make sure the next time you inject to keep applying pressure until the yellow bar stops moving. Then, you can lift the pen slowly from your skin.
Now it’s time to safely throw away or dispose of your pen. Do not throw the pen away in your household trash. Instead, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, like a heavy-duty plastic container. Contact your local municipality to find where you can dispose of needles.
And that’s it–you’re done! Now you’re ready to start using your Wegovy® pen. You’ve got this!
And remember: we’re here for you! If you have any questions, call 1-833-4-WEGOVY.
Please note that this video specifically pertains to the pen device for the FDA-approved Wegovy® product in the US only. Be sure to check your pen and its label to ensure proper usage.
When using your pen, remember these tips:
Check that you have the right medicine and dose
This may seem obvious, but it’s not something you want to overlook. Your pen should say Wegovy® and have a clear and colorless liquid inside.
It’s also important to increase your dose according to your health care provider’s instructions. You will "step up" through a series of lower doses over several months until you reach your maintenance dose.
Make sure you’re taking the right dose by looking at the dose amount on the pen. Each dose strength is labeled with its own color.
The colors on the pen correspond to the colors in the WeGoTogether® app. This helps when you’re logging your dose after the injection. See Log your dose below.
If there’s any question about which dose you should be taking, check with your health care provider. Once you’re sure you have the right dose, you’re ready to use the pen.
Rotate your injection site
Each time you’re ready to inject, you’ll take a new, prefilled pen out of the box. The needle is already attached and hidden, so you don’t have to look at it.
Your health care provider should have shown you exactly how and where to inject your Wegovy®. Remember not to use exactly the same spot on your body every time. We recommend talking with your health care provider to create a site rotation schedule that works for you.
Moving on...
Make sure you complete the injection
It’s important to get all of the medicine from your pen into your body. You may want to create a firm area to inject by flattening your skin with 2 fingers. Line up the pen straight against your body so that you can see the pen’s window. When you push the pen firmly against your skin, you’ll hear a click. The injection has started.
You’ll see the yellow bar in the pen’s window begin moving (if it’s not moving, push the pen more firmly against your skin.) Then you will hear a second click. You’re almost there. Keep applying pressure for a few seconds until the yellow bar stops moving.
When the bar stops moving, the injection is complete. It takes about 10 seconds from start to finish. The yellow bar may not completely fill the window, but as long as it has stopped moving, you can slowly lift the pen away from your skin. You’re done.
About 10 seconds total
Afterward, put the used pen in a sharps disposal container. Learn more about safely disposing of your pens in the Instructions for Use.
There are still key steps to take…
Log your dose
“Did I take my dose yesterday? Or was it the day before? Wait, am I thinking of last week?”
To keep track and remove any doubt later, log each dose as soon as you’re done.
We recommend entering it in the WeGoTogether® app.
Scan here to download the app
In addition to using the app to track your dose, you can also write it down in a journal or log it in your phone. However you do it, find a way to log your dose that works for you. Head into next week feeling confident that you’re on track.
Set a reminder for your next scheduled dose
Now that you’ve taken your dose and logged it, there’s one more thing to do: Remember to take it next week. You can take your Wegovy® at any time of day, so take it at a time that works for you. Here are some suggestions to help you remember:
Build your weekly dose into your existing routine. What’s something you do on the same day every week? For example, if you do the laundry every Saturday morning, then put a note next to your laundry basket to help you remember to take your Wegovy® when you’re done.
Use your smartphone or computer. Put your weekly dose on your digital calendar and set a reminder. If your routine changes—for instance, if you’re traveling—digital reminders are extra helpful.
Put a reminder where you’ll see it. If you prefer paper and ink, write a reminder on a sticky note and post the note near where you keep your Wegovy®. If it’s in the refrigerator, put a reminder on the ridge door. If you keep it in a medicine cabinet, put a sticky note on the cabinet door.
If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away (48 hours), take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away (48 hours), do not administer the dose. Take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
If you miss doses for more than 2 weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your health care provider to talk about how to restart your treatment.
One more thing—check your supply of pens. If you’re running low (1 or 2 pens left), talk to your health care provider about getting a refill.
Now reward yourself for making a habit of taking your weekly dose! For instance, you might decide to celebrate by playing a favorite song. In a week, you’ll be ready for your next dose with more experience and the confidence to know you can handle this routine. Keep up the great work!
Log your weekly dose, get tips to help you stay on track with Wegovy®, and more
The free WeGoTogether® app is the only weight-management app designed by Novo Nordisk for people taking Wegovy®.
Questions?
Need assistance or information?
Call the Wegovy® Navigation Line at 1-833-4-WEGOVY (1-833-493-4689) between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET, Monday–Friday.
