Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) pen administration as described in the current Novo Nordisk prescribing information. Step-numbered procedure, supplies checklist, common mistakes. Educational only, not medical advice.
Key points
- 01Inspect the pen. Confirm the colour-coded label matches the dose strength on the prescription. Novo Nordisk's Instructions for Use specifies that the solution be clear and colourless. A cloudy, discoloured, or particle-containing solution is grounds to discard the pen.
- 02Pull off the pen cap. Pull the cap straight off, do not unscrew it. The cap stores in regular trash, not the sharps container.
- 03Clean the injection site. Swab the chosen site with the alcohol prep pad and let the alcohol air-dry for at least 10–15 seconds. Wet alcohol carried into subcutaneous tissue is the most common cause of stinging.
- 04Press the pen against the skin. Hold the pen flat with the yellow needle guard against the chosen site at a 90-degree angle. Novo Nordisk's procedure describes pressing the pen down firmly so the yellow safety guard retracts and the dose button is unlocked. The hidden needle does not extend until the dose button is pressed.
- 05Press and hold the dose button. Press the green dose button on top of the pen. The Instructions for Use specifies holding the button down throughout the dose delivery. A clicking sound indicates the medication is being delivered.
- 06Hold for at least 6 seconds. Continue holding the button and keep the pen pressed firmly against the skin for at least 6 seconds after the click stops. The Wegovy Instructions for Use is explicit that lifting the pen before 6 seconds can cause an incomplete dose.
- 07Lift the pen and confirm. Pull the pen straight up off the skin. The yellow needle guard automatically extends to cover the needle. Confirm through the inspection window that the dose indicator has reached the 0 mg position, which signals the dose is complete.
- 08Dispose of the pen. Drop the entire used pen into an FDA-cleared sharps container immediately. The Wegovy pen is single-use and is not reusable. Do not recap and do not handle the needle directly.
Pre-injection checklist
- ✓Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- ✓Verify the dose strength on the label matches the prescription. Wegovy's five different dose pens are colour-coded; using the wrong colour is the most common pre-injection error.
- ✓Inspect the solution through the inspection window, Novo Nordisk's Instructions for Use describes the solution as clear and colourless. Discard the pen if it is cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles.
- ✓Let the pen warm to room temperature for 30 minutes if it has just come out of the fridge.
- ✓Choose an injection site (abdomen at least 2 inches from the navel, front of either thigh, or back of either upper arm if a caregiver is administering). Rotate weekly.
After the injection
- Press a clean cotton ball or gauze square to the site for 10–15 seconds if any bleeding occurs.
- Log the date, dose, and injection site for rotation tracking.
- Return the carton to its storage location at room temperature (≤ 86°F / 30°C) for up to 28 days from first use, or to the fridge if continuing refrigerated storage.
Common mistakes
- Severe upper abdominal pain (possibly radiating to the back), pancreatitis is in the Wegovy boxed warning context.
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing, possible serious allergic reaction.
- Severe right-upper-quadrant pain with fever, nausea, or yellowing skin, possible gallbladder disease.
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea preventing fluid intake, risk of acute kidney injury.
- Vision changes (blurry vision, vision loss) in adults with type 2 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is in the prescribing information warnings.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Wegovy require holding the pen for 6 seconds when Ozempic does not?+
The two pens are different mechanical designs even though the molecule is identical. The Ozempic pen is multi-dose with a manual dial and a separate needle; the Wegovy pen is single-dose with a hidden needle and a fixed-volume cartridge. The 6-second hold on Wegovy is what allows the entire pre-set dose to leave the cartridge, the Instructions for Use is explicit that early lifting causes incomplete dosing.
Can I split a Wegovy 2.4 mg pen into two doses?+
No. The Wegovy pen is engineered as a single-dose, single-use device. The Instructions for Use does not support splitting, and the pen mechanically cannot be re-engaged after the first injection. Patients on a lower maintenance dose use the corresponding lower-strength colour-coded pen, not a split of the 2.4 mg pen.
What if I see a small amount of liquid on the needle after injecting?+
Novo Nordisk's Instructions for Use describes a small drop on the needle tip after injection as expected. The dose was still delivered, the displayed dose indicator at 0 mg is the authoritative confirmation, not the absence of liquid on the needle.
Where do I rotate among?+
Wegovy's Instructions for Use specifies abdomen (avoiding 2 inches around the navel), front of either thigh, and back of either upper arm if a caregiver is administering. With weekly dosing, a four-quadrant abdomen rotation gives each site three weeks of rest before reuse. See our rotating-injection-sites post for the diagram.
How long can the pen sit out of the fridge once I have started using it?+
Novo Nordisk's Instructions for Use allows up to 28 days at room temperature (≤ 86°F / 30°C) once the pen is removed from refrigeration. After 28 days, even if the pen still contains medication, it must be discarded. Store the pen with the cap on between doses.
Sources
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) Instructions for Use, single-dose pen.
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) Prescribing Information.
- Wilding JPH et al. 2021. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP-1). New England Journal of Medicine 384(11):989–1002.
- Lincoff AM et al. 2023. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). New England Journal of Medicine 389(24):2221–2232.
- FDA. Drugs@FDA, Wegovy labeling.
- FDA. Best Way to Get Rid of Used Needles and Other Sharps.
