How to Inject Semaglutide: A Step-by-Step Guide
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy®, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist taken as a once-weekly injection. It’s a subcutaneous injection, meaning it’s administered with a tiny needle that punctures the top layer of skin. Once you know how to inject semaglutide, it’s actually pretty easy — and nearly pain-free.
Injecting semaglutide might seem intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. It’s normal to be nervous, but with clear instructions, you’ll feel more prepared and confident.
We’ll give you a step-by-step look at what the process entails. Read on to learn exactly how to inject semaglutide safely and comfortably at home.
Where to Inject Semaglutide
So, where do you actually inject it? Semaglutide injection sites include three body areas: the abdomen (stomach), the front of the thigh, or the upper arm.
You can choose any of these, but you may want to rotate your injection site each week to avoid bruising and minimise the risk of infection.
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Semaglutide Injection Instructions: Step by Step
Now that you know where to inject Ozempic® or Wegovy®, here’s exactly how to inject semaglutide medications. The steps are the same for both medicines.
Gather Supplies and Wash Your Hands
You’ll need:
Your pre-filled injection pen
An injection needle (it comes with the pack)
Wash your hands with warm soap and water, and make sure the area around you is clean.
Then disinfect the skin on the injection site with an alcohol swab.
Check Your Dose
Your GP (general practitioner) or private healthcare provider will instruct you on your semaglutide dosing schedule. Most people start on a low introductory dose (0.25 milligrams) and slowly increase their dose over time as their bodies adjust to the medicine.
Check which dose you’re meant to take and make sure you’re using a pen that contains the correct dose.
Prepare the Injection
This will likely be the most time-consuming step, but it gets easier with practice and should take just a few minutes when you get the hang of things.
Here’s how to prepare your semaglutide weight loss injection:
Take off the pen cap.
Check the pen window and ensure the semaglutide medication is clear, colourless, and not frozen. If it’s any of those things, don’t use the pen.
Open a new needle by peeling off the paper tab.
Push the needle onto the end of the injection pen. Turn until it’s on tight.
There are two protective caps on the needle. Pull off the outer needle cap and keep it for later. Pull off the inner needle cap. Set this one aside to dispose of after your injection.
Check the Flow
If this is your first injection with a new pen, you need to check the flow to make sure the needle isn’t blocked or damaged.
If you’ve already given yourself an injection with this pen, you can skip this step.
Here’s how to check the flow:
Turn the dose selector on the end of the pen until you see the flow check symbol. It looks like two dots and a line — no numbers.
Line up the flow check symbol with the dose pointer (the little arrow).
Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Press and hold the dose button (the button on the end of the pen) until the dose counter returns to “0”. The “0” should line up with the dose pointer.
A drop of medication should appear at the tip of the needle. This means the needle is ready.
If there’s no drop, check the flow again. If you’re using a Wegovy® pen, you can check the flow twice. If you’re using an Ozempic® pen, check the flow up to six times.
If there’s still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more. If there’s still no drop, don’t use the pen. Prepare a new injection pen.
Set Your Dose
When you’re ready to inject, turn the dose selector until it shows your prescribed dose.
Make sure the dose lines up with the dose selector.
Inject the Medication
Your injection is now ready to go. Just make sure not to touch the needle (or let it come into contact with anything else).
This should go without saying, but you’ll need to inject directly into bare skin (i.e., not through clothing).
Now, here’s how to inject your semaglutide medication:
If you want, you can pinch a section of skin at your injection site of choice. This might make it easier to insert the needle. Choose from your upper arm, thigh, or stomach (roughly five centimetres away from your belly button).
Position the pen at a 90-degree angle to your body, then carefully and slowly insert the needle all the way into your skin. Don’t cover the dose counter with your fingers.
Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter shows “0”. Keep pressing the button and slowly count to six.
Remove the needle from your skin.
Discard the Needle and Put Away the Injection Pen
You’re almost done! Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface. Be careful not to touch the needle, as you don’t want to accidentally prick yourself. Ensure the cap is on fully.
Unscrew the used needle and dispose of it safely, following instructions from your GP or local authorities. You can get a sharps container from your GP or a chemist.
Put the injection cap back on the pen to protect it from light.
Once opened, you can store your injection pen in the refrigerator between two and eight degrees Celsius. Just be sure to keep it away from the cooling element to stop it from freezing. You can also store it outside of the refrigerator under 30 degrees Celsius.
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Semaglutide Injection Instructions FAQs
Still have questions? Find answers to frequently asked questions about how to inject semaglutide below.
What’s the Best Place to Inject Semaglutide?
No specific spot that is most effective for semaglutide injections, so there’s no best place to inject Ozempic® or Wegovy®. As long as you stay within the recommended areas of the lower stomach, top of thigh, or upper arm, you’re sorted.
What Time of Day Should I Inject Semaglutide?
You can do your weekly semaglutide injection any time of day. However, it’s recommended to do it around the same time each week, whether in the morning or right before bed. This consistency may help with the absorption rate and steady blood sugar levels.
How Often Should You Rotate Semaglutide Injection Sites?
You can inject directly into bare skin on your lower stomach, top of thigh, or upper arm. You may inject in the same part of your body each week, but not in the exact same spot each time.
Avoid areas where your skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard. You should also avoid injecting into an area with scars or stretch marks.
Why Do You Inject Semaglutide?
You may be wondering why semaglutide medications are subcutaneously injected once a week. As research shows, injecting certain medicines right under the skin allows them to be more slowly absorbed over a sustained period. Semaglutide enters the bloodstream gradually, over the course of several days, rather than all at once.
What Should You Look Out for After Injecting Semaglutide?
You may notice some redness or discomfort at the injection site. This is normal. Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a serious allergic reaction.
When Does Semaglutide Expire?
Your Ozempic® or Wegovy® injections will have an expiry date on the pen label and carton. The use-by date refers to the last date of that month. Don’t use the medication after the expiry date.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Semaglutide?
If you miss a dose of semaglutide, take it as soon as you remember within five days of that missed dose.
But if it’s been more than five days since your missed dose, skip it and take your next dose on your regular injection day. Don’t double up to make up for the missed injection.
What Are Common Semaglutide Side Effects?
Common side effects of Wegovy® (that’s the semaglutide medication licensed for weight loss) include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Stomach pain
Constipation
Other potential side effects of Wegovy® include:
Fatigue
Dizziness
Changes in taste in foods
Redness or discomfort at the injection site
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) in those with type 2 diabetes
Increased amylase and lipase (enzymes that break down carbs and fats)
Gallstones
Increased heart rate
There isn’t enough research on whether semaglutide is safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to be soon, let your GP know. They may recommend you stop taking the medication.
How Long Before Semaglutide Starts Working?
Since everyone is different, it can vary. You may notice changes to your appetite in a few days or weeks, and weight loss in a few weeks.
One clinical trial looked at almost 2,000 adults without diabetes who took a weekly Wegovy® injection, ate healthier, and incorporated more movement into their days.
Here are the findings:
After four weeks, participants lost an average of two percent of their body weight.
After eight weeks, they’d lost an average of four percent of their body weight.
After 68 weeks, they’d lost an average of almost 15 percent of their body weight.
Other GLP-1 medications with different active ingredients — like Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) — will have a slightly different timeline.
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In Summary: How to Inject Semaglutide
Learning how to take semaglutide may seem a bit nerve-racking at first. But hopefully, this simple step-by-step guide will help you feel confident and empowered to administer it yourself.
Here’s what to keep in mind about injecting semaglutide:
Semaglutide injections can treat type 2 diabetes (Ozempic®) and overweight or obesity (Wegovy®) when coupled with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Injecting semaglutide will unfold in four main steps: prepping, checking the flow, injecting, and cleaning up.
Your injection site should be rotated every week, and you can choose from your stomach, upper arm, or thigh.
When in doubt, follow the semaglutide injection directions from a GP or private healthcare professional.
If you’re still considering weight loss medicines as an option, take our free online assessment to see if they’re right for you.
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 GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.