If you’re thinking of getting a Wegovy prescription and want to know where to inject it, I’ll explain the answer in detail here.
The Components of the Wegovy® Pen
The Wegovy pen administers the medication using a small needle that delivers the drug into the fatty tissue just beneath your skin. It contains 2.4mg semaglutide and should not be combined with other semaglutide-containing products or GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. According to the Wegovy official website, the Wegovy pen will have the following components:
A. Expiration (EXP) Date – This is located on the back of your pen.
B. Dose – Be sure you have the medication and dose prescribed by your healthcare provider.
C. Pen Window – Check that the drug is clear and colorless. If you see air bubbles this is normal and do not affect the dose.
D. Needle Cover – The needle is concealed inside.
E. Pen Cap – Remove this just before you are ready to inject and pull the pen cap straight off your Wegovy® pen. It may help to create a firm area to inject.
Wegovy Where to Inject It?
You can inject Wegovy into your lower abdomen (at least 2 inches away from your navel), upper arm, or front of your upper thigh. There isn’t a preferred injection site as all these locations are equally effective for administering Wegovy.
While you can use the same general area of your body for each injection, you should change the exact spot. Let’s say on Week 1 you could inject into your upper left thigh, and on Week 2 into your upper right thigh. Or you could inject into the same thigh but select a spot a few inches away from your previous injection site.
Avoid injecting Wegovy into areas with scars or stretch marks, or into skin that is hardened, discolored or bruised.
Before your first injection, we recommend that you consult your doctor or another healthcare professional so they can demonstrate how to inject Wegovy and help you identify the best injection sites for you.
Does the Wegovy Injection Cause Pain?
Given the thin and short nature of the needle, most individuals report not feeling the injection at all. However, some may be sensitive to injecting cold fluid so if this is a concern, you can take Wegovy out of the refrigerator 1-2 hours before your dose as allowing the medication to reach room temperature can help minimize any discomfort from the injection. Just don’t remove the cap until you’re ready to inject.
Steps to Follow to Inject Wegovy
First off, see to it that the pen is not damaged, the medication hasn’t expired, and the fluid in the pen window is clear and colorless. If any of these conditions are not met, don’t use it and instead contact the manufacturer.
Wegovy Injection Procedure
Clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol or soap and water, then let it dry.
Remove the cap by pulling it straight off the pen, and push the needle cover firmly against your skin.
Apply pressure to it until the yellow bar no longer moves. You’ll hear 2 clicks – the first indicates the injection has started, and the second means it’s still in progress.
Continue pressing firmly until the yellow bar ceases to move (about 5 to 10 seconds from the first click).
Lift the pen slowly off your skin and if there’s any bleeding, press a cotton ball or gauze pad lightly against the area.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Injecting Wegovy
- If you pull the pen away too soon or don’t press it firmly enough, you may not receive the full dose. You might see liquid squirting from the needle or pooling on your skin.
- Once an injection is stopped, be aware that it cannot be restarted. The needle cover locks immediately upon removal from the skin.
- Dispose of used Wegovy pens immediately in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container. If unavailable, use a thick, leak-resistant plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, and clearly mark it to indicate it contains hazardous waste.
How to Store the Wegovy Pen
Wegovy should be kept in the refrigerator but if necessary, it can be stored outside the refrigerator between 46°F and 86°F for up to 28 days. Keep it in its original carton to protect it from light. You might want to leave the pen out to reach room temperature before use, this is OK as long as the cap stays on during this time.
Before using your Wegovy pen for the first time, read the Instructions for Use and Medication Guide that come with your pen. Also, discuss with your healthcare provider how to properly prepare for and inject Wegovy.
Each Wegovy pack includes four pens of the same dose. Each pen is for single use only and has a preset dose.
Important Information About Wegovy
Wegovy can cause serious side effects, including:
Possible Thyroid Tumors
Notify your healthcare provider if you notice a lump or swelling in your neck, experience hoarseness, have trouble swallowing, or have shortness of breath, as these could be signs of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy and similar medications caused thyroid tumors, including cancer. It’s unknown if Wegovy will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer known as medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Do not use Wegovy if:
You or any family members have a history of MTC.
You have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients contained in Wegovy.
You have an endocrine system condition called MEN 2.
Before using Wegovy, let your doctor know if you…
Have or have had issues with your kidneys or pancreas.
Have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy.
Have or have had depression, mental health issues or suicidal thoughts.
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (Wegovy can harm your unborn baby). Stop using Wegovy two months before you plan to become pregnant.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, as it’s unknown if Wegovy passes into breast milk.
Wegovy Medication Interactions
You need to let your health care provider know all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy can affect the way some medications work, and some medications can affect the way Wegovy works. Also tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other diabetes medications, including sulfonylureas or insulin.
Wegovy slows stomach emptying and can impact medications that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
Possible Side Effects of Wegovy
Wegovy® may lead to significant side effects, such as:
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Stop using Wegovy® and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe and persistent abdominal pain, with or without vomiting. This pain may radiate from your abdomen to your back.
Gallbladder Issues
Wegovy® can cause problems with the gallbladder, including gallstones. Some cases may require surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.
Risk of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
This is particularly concerning for individuals taking diabetes medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Hypoglycemia can be severe. Discuss with your healthcare provider how to recognize and manage low blood sugar. Symptoms may include light-headedness, dizziness, slurred speech, blurred vision, irritability, anxiety, mood changes, sweating, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery.
Kidney Problems (kidney failure)
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may lead to dehydration in individuals with existing kidney issues, worsening their condition. It’s crucial to stay hydrated to reduce this risk.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Stop using Wegovy® and seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, tongue, throat or lips; difficulty swallowing or breathing; severe rash or itching, feeling dizzy, fainting or a rapid heartbeat.
Vision Changes in People with Type 2 Diabetes
Notify your healthcare provider if you experience any changes in vision while taking Wegovy®.
Increased Heart Rate
Wegovy® can elevate your resting heart rate. Inform your healthcare provider if you notice a racing or pounding heart that lasts for several minutes.
Depression or Suicidal Thoughts
Monitor for any mental changes, especially sudden changes in behavior, mood, thoughts, or feelings. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any new or worsening mental health symptoms.
Common Side Effects of Wegovy
The most common side effects of Wegovy® include nausea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, upset stomach, bloating, belching, headache, fatigue, dizziness, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, heartburn, gas, stomach flu, sore throat or runny nose.
Are There Alternatives to Wegovy®?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is part of a growing class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, administered once weekly for weight loss. Because of its effectiveness in promoting weight loss, Wegovy is often in short supply.
Currently, there is a shortage of Wegovy, with no clear timeline for resolution. The manufacturer is increasing production to meet demand but it is a challenging task as an estimated 25,000 people start Wegovy weekly in the U.S. Also even without supply issues, Wegovy is expensive ($16,000 annually).
Given the popularity of medications like Wegovy, finding alternatives that aren’t also in short supply can be difficult. If your pharmacy is out of stock, try other pharmacies in your area. If you still can’t find it, your prescriber can help determine the best course of action.
Zepbound
Zepbound (tirzepatide) shares similarities with Wegovy. It’s a once-weekly injection working similarly but also mimicking glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Zepbound may lead to greater weight loss compared to Wegovy and the two are being compared in head-to-head trials. Wegovy is approved to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular issues, while Zepbound is not yet approved for this.
Zepbound is approved for adults, whereas Wegovy is also approved for adolescents aged 12 and older. But again, due to high demand, Zepbound is also in limited supply just like Wegovy.
Saxenda
Saxenda (liraglutide) is another injectable GLP-1 agonist and requires daily injections. It’s approved for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older.
Transitioning from Wegovy to Saxenda requires understanding that Saxenda uses a multidose pen, unlike Wegovy’s single-use pen.
Saxenda may result in less weight loss compared to Wegovy. In comparative studies, Saxenda users lost about 6% of their starting weight, while Wegovy users lost nearly 16%. Saxenda is also in short supply.
Compounded GLP-1 Medications
Compounding pharmacies tailor medications for individual patients, especially during drug shortages. Compounded drugs aren’t generics and don’t go through the FDA approval process, but they can help when commercially available drugs are in short supply.
Compounding pharmacists source ingredients from FDA-registered facilities, often the same ones used by drug manufacturers. This can help address shortages like that of Wegovy, as semaglutide, its active ingredient, is widely available.
What’s the Price of Wegovy (Semaglutide)?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription drug used for long-term weight management, and it currently costs about $1,350 for a 28-day supply. If you calculate it out, this means that without any discounts or insurance help, the yearly cost of Wegovy can reach around $16,000. Most insurance plans don’t cover weight loss medications, although some do depending on your plan and location.
Even if you manage to get a discount, Wegovy can still be quite expensive for many Americans. Luckily, telehealth services like Brightmeds offer a more affordable way to access semaglutide for effective weight management. Brightmeds is comprised of a team of healthcare professionals who will evaluate your medical history, check if you qualify for semaglutide, and prescribe it if you’re eligible. Plus, Brightmeds offers semaglutide and tirzepatide at lower prices compared to the brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic.
Getting Started with BrightMeds
If you’re considering getting a GLP-1 prescription rom Brightmeds all you have to do is visit their website and fill out a few details like your state, age, weight, height, and contact information. Their medical team will review your submission to see if you qualify. They’ll then reach out with your treatment options, and your prescribed medication will be delivered to you quickly and discreetly.