How to Use Wegovy: Dosing, Injections and Missed Doses Explained

Starting Wegovy for the first time can feel a little daunting, especially if you’ve never used an injection pen before. The good news is that most people quickly become confident using their pen after the first few doses.

This guide explains everything you need to know about using Wegovy safely and correctly, including dosing, injections, missed doses, storage and travelling with your medication.

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a prescription only (POM), once-weekly weight loss injection, containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It works by helping you feel fuller, quicker for longer, reducing appetite and helping you manage cravings more effectively.

For the best results, Wegovy should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Wegovy Dosing Schedule Explained

Wegovy treatment starts at a low dose and gradually increases. This is to get your body used to the medication and also reduce common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and stomach pain.

Most patients follow this dosing schedule:

• Weeks 1–4: 0.25mg once weekly

• Weeks 5–8: 0.5mg once weekly

• Weeks 9–12: 1mg once weekly

• Weeks 13–16: 1.7mg once weekly

• Weeks 17-20 (or longer) : 2.4mg once weekly

• Week 21 onwards: 7.2mg once weekly

Each pen contains 4 doses. As a once-weekly injection, one pen provides 4 weeks of treatment.

It’s important to take Wegovy exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional, following the correct dosing schedule helps improve effectiveness and tolerability.

How to Store Wegovy

Before first use, Wegovy pens should be stored in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C.

After your first injection, the pen can either be kept in the fridge or at room temperature below 30°C for up to 6 weeks. It should be stored with the pen cap on and without any needle attached.

Do NOT:

• Freeze the pen

• Expose it to direct sunlight or heat

• Use if the medication looks cloudy or damaged

Preparing for Your Injection

Before injecting Wegovy:

• Wash your hands and the injection site with warm water and soap or an alcohol wipe

• Check in the medication window that the liquid is clear and colourless (do NOT use if cloudy or discoloured)

• Attach a NEW needle (discard if broken, bent or unsealed)

• Allow the pen to reach room temperature for a few minutes if stored in the fridge, as this may improve comfort.

Where to Inject Wegovy

The treatment is administered subcutaneously (just under the skin), directly into subcutaneous fat. Recommended injection areas include:

• The stomach (avoiding the 5cm area around your belly button)

• The upper thigh

• The back of your upper arm (if someone is helping you inject)

To reduce the risk of injection site reactions, rotate injection sites each week

Do NOT inject Wegovy into a muscle or vein.

How to Inject Wegovy Step-by-Step

Prior to administering Wegovy the first time, familiarise yourself with the instructions in the patient information leaflet.

Step 1: Remove the pen cap

• Take the medication out of the fridge

• Check to make sure the medication is in date

• Check you have the right medication

• Take off the pen cap and inspect the medicine window

The medication should appear clear and colourness. You may notice air bubbles in the solution, these are normal and harmless.

Do not use the medication if:

• It is cloudy or discoloured

• You can see particles floating in the solution

• The solution has been frozen (even if defrosted)

Step 2: Attach a new needle

• Peel the paper tab off a new needle

• Push the needle straight on to the pen and twist to tighten

• Remove the outer and inner needle caps.

Retain the outer needle cap, you will need this later.

Step 3: Check the flow

A flow test is conducted prior to using a new pen for the first time.

• Turn the dose selector to the flow check symbol ( 2 dots and a line: .._ ) this is usually 2 clicks.

• Hold the pen upright.

• Press the button until the dose selector returns to 0 and a small drop appears at the needle tip.

This process confirms the pen is in working condition and ready for use. If you do not notice the drop of solution, replace the needle and try again. Following this, if you still experience issues, contact Quick Meds for further assistance.

Do not apply force to the pen as this may damage the mechanism.

Step 4: Inject the medication

• Turn the dose knob all the way until it stops. You will notice your dose in the dose window (i.e. for a 0.25mg pen, you will see ‘0.25mg’)

• Insert the needle into your skin

• Press and hold the dose button down until the counter returns to 0

• Continue holding for 6 seconds before removing the needle from your skin

• You may hear or feel a clicking sound during the injection which is completely normal.

• You can lightly press the area with cotton wool if you have bled.

• Using the outer needle cap from step 2, safely remove the needle and discard safely into a sharps bin.

• Replace the pen cap and store the pen appropriately until your next dose.

What Happens If You Miss a Dose?

Whilst consistency is crucial to ongoing success with Wegovy, sometimes life gets in the way and a dose is missed.

If it has been:

• Less than 5 days, since you missed your dose, take it as soon as possible. Then inject your next dose on your usual scheduled day.

• More than 5 days, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.

Do NOT double dose to make up for a missed injection as this can increase the risk of side effects.

To help stay consistent, many patients find it useful to choose the same day and time every week.

Can You Travel With Wegovy?

Yes, you can safely travel with Wegovy, but it’s important to store and carry it correctly.

When travelling with Wegovy:

• Keep the medication in its original packaging.

• Always carry the pen in your hand luggage when flying.

• Do not place Wegovy in checked baggage, as the medication can not be used once frozen.

• Use the insulated pouch we provided or a cool pack to help keep the pen cool during transit.

• Keep your needles stored separately in your checked luggage, following airline guidance

• Carry your prescription or treatment confirmation letter with you in case airport security requests evidence that the medication has been prescribed to you.

Before travelling, it’s also a good idea to check with your airline for any additional rules around carrying injectable medications or needles onboard.

Once opened, Wegovy can be stored below 30°C for up to 6 weeks, but it should still be kept away from direct heat and sunlight.