Wegovy injectable pen

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight loss injection that helps reduce appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer. It works by mimicking a natural hormone in your body and is taken once a week using a simple injection pen. Wegovy is most effective when used alongside a lower-calorie diet and regular activity.

Wegovy is a highly effective weight loss treatment. Clinical studies show that patients lose an average of 21% of their starting weight after 72 weeks of treatment. Studies show:

• around 6% weight loss at early doses
• around 10 to 12% at mid-range doses
• average of 21% at the full dose

When taking Wegovy, you’ll start on the lowest dose which is slowly increased over time. This helps your body get used to the medication, which reduces the chances of side effects.

Each dose step takes at least 4 weeks before moving on to the next one. Each pen contains 4 doses so you'll use 1 pen for each dose step.

• Weeks 1 to 4: Start with the 0.25mg dose once weekly. This is a starter dose that helps your body get used to the medication.
• Weeks 5 to 8: The dose is increased to 0.5mg once weekly.
• After week 8: Your doctor may increase your dose every 4 weeks if more weight control is needed. The available maintenance doses are 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg, and 7.2mg. The maximum dose is 7.2mg.

If you’re seeing good results at lower doses of Wegovy, it may not be necessary to increase your dose. Never increase your dose without talking to your doctor first.

You need to take Wegovy once a week for it to be effective, and it works best as part of a weight loss plan that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise as well. If you’re prescribed Wegovy, you’ll be started on a lower dose in your first month and your dose will be increased each month afterwards (if you respond well to the treatment), until month 6 of your treatment.

• only inject Wegovy (semaglutide) into your skin – you should never inject it into a vein or muscle
• inject Wegovy once a week, at around the same time
• take Wegovy exactly as instructed by your doctor

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Read through the patient information leaflet and user manual carefully before taking Wegovy. Once you have chosen a day and time that suits you to inject, you can prepare to take it.

Wegovy doses 0.25mg, 0.5, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg are administered via a multi-dose pen. The 7.2mg Wegovy pen on the other hand is a single-dose pen, this means that over 4 weeks you will use 4 single-use pens over that time, one pen per week. For more detailed instructions on using the Wegovy 7.2 pen, read the specific patient information leaflet.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Prepare your pen: Check your pen and make sure it is the correct medication and dose, and that the medication is not damaged or expired. The liquid should be clear and colourless.
2. Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Step 2: Attach a new needle

1. Take a new needle and tear off the paper tab.
2. Push the needle straight onto the pen and twist clockwise until it is tight.
3. Pull off the outer needle cap (keep this for later).
4. Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away.

Step 3: Check the flow (first use of a new pen only)

1. Checking the flow is also known as priming. You only need to do this once for each new pen to ensure it’s working correctly.
2. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol (two dots).
3. Press and hold the dose button until the counter returns to 0. A drop of liquid should appear at the needle tip. This shows that the pen is ready for injection.
4. If no liquid appears then repeat once more. If it still doesn’t work, use a new needle and try again.

Step 4: Injecting the dose

1. Choose your injection site: You can inject the needle into the skin of your abdomen (at least 5cm away from your belly button), your thigh, or your upper arm. Choose a new injection site every week to reduce soreness.
2. Select the dose: Turn the dose selector until the counter stops at your prescribed dose (for example, 0.25mg).
3. Insert the needle: Gently push the needle all the way into the skin of your chosen injection site.
4. Press the button: Press and hold down the dose button. You will hear a click.
5. Hold and count: Keep the button pressed and watch the dose counter return to 0. Once it reaches 0, slowly count to 6 before removing the needle from your skin. This ensures you receive the full dose.

Step 5: After your injection

1. Remove the needle: Carefully place the outer needle cap back on the needle without touching the needle itself.
2. Dispose of the needle: Once the needle is covered, unscrew it from the pen and immediately place it in your sharps bin.
3. Store the pen: Put the cap back on your Wegovy pen and store it as instructed.

Wegovy 7.2mg is administered via a single-dose pen. For 4 weeks supply of Wegovy you will receive 4 pens and you must inject one per week and then safely dispose of it.

For specific guidance on how to use the Wegovy 7.2mg pen, read the patient information leaflet provided with your medication. Follow the instructions here or the specific guidance sent to your ZAVA patient account:

1. Check you have the correct dose and the expiry date on the back.
2. Check in the dose window that the liquid is clear and colourless, it must not be cloudy.
3. Choose your injection site. See detailed guidance on this page.
4. Once you are ready to inject, remove the pen cap and needle cover.
5. Press the pen firmly against your skin where you have chosen to inject. The injection takes around 5-10 seconds. You should hear 2 clicks. The first click happens when your injection starts, and at the second click you should begin to see a yellow bar in the dose window.
6. Once you see the yellow bar stop moving, the injection is complete.
7. Lift the pen away slowly and safely dispose of it.

For more detailed guidance, always refer to the patient information leaflet included with your medication. You can also view our step-by-step guide.

Like with all medications, Wegovy can have side effects. Though, these may not affect everybody. The gradual increase in doses on Wegovy works to give your body time to adjust to it, lowering the chances of side effects. However, if you happen to experience any very common or common side effects, they should go away as soon as your body adjusts to your treatment.

Very common Wegovy side effects that affect more than 10% of users include:

• headache
• feeling sick
• throwing up
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• feeling weak or tired

Common side effects that affect up to 10% of users include:

• dizziness
• stomach and digestion problems
• burping
• gas
• bloating
• inflamed stomach
• acid reflux
• gallstone
• hair loss
• reactions where the injection was used
• low blood sugar for people with diabetes

Wegovy is an effective treatment for weight loss, but it may not be right for everyone. If Wegovy isn’t right for you, there are a number of other options available to help you with your weight loss journey.