A person's hands hold a light blue insulin pen, preparing for injection.

Wegovy Usage

On this page, you can read where and when to inject Wegovy and how to use the pen.

  • 1x per week
  • Under the skin
  • Abdomen, thigh or upper arm
  • Independent of meals
Wegovy Package Leaflet
Mon–Fri 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM | Sat 09:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Nicolette Lammers
none provided
The information on this page has been medically reviewed by

How to use the Wegovy injection?

Wegovy contains the active substance semaglutide. You inject it once a week under the skin (subcutaneously), into your abdomen, thigh, or the front of your upper arm. On this page, you can read how this works in practice: where and when to inject, and how to use your pen. This explanation follows the official product information from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (September, 2026). Always read the package leaflet and the instructions for use that come with your pen. How much to inject can be found on the page about how the Wegovy dosage is built up. Are you using the Wegovy pill? Different intake rules apply to it than to the injection.

Using Wegovy correctly in brief

  • Rhythm: Once a week, preferably on the same day.
  • Time: Morning or evening, independent of meals.
  • Location: Under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Never into a vein or muscle.

How to inject Wegovy?

A blue pencil icon next to a confirming checkmark, symbolizing editing or completion.
1. Check the pen
Check if you have the correct pen: the pen type, the name Wegovy, and the strength stated in your treatment plan.
A teal target icon with a central dot and two concentric circles.
2. Choose injection site
Choose your abdomen, thigh, or the front of your upper arm.
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3. Use the pen according to instructions
The FlexTouch pen and the single-use pen work differently. Follow the instructions for your pen; both are described step-by-step below.

You inject Wegovy subcutaneously: into the fatty tissue just under the skin. For the first time, have your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse explain how your pen works.

Only under the skin. Never inject Wegovy into a vein or muscle.

Where do you inject Wegovy?

coon van injectie voor medisch afvallen bij The Body Clinic
Where to inject
Thigh
Abdomen
Upper arm
A teal target icon with a central dot and two concentric circles.
Abdomen

Under the skin of your abdomen. If using the FlexTouch pen, keep at least 5 cm distance from your navel.

Outline of a human body showing dotted target areas on the upper arm and thigh.
Front of the upper arm and thigh

Under the skin on the front of your upper arm and thigh.

Medisch afvallen: injectieplekken op dijbeen, buik of bovenarm voor gewichtsverlies bij The Body Clinic
Thigh
Abdomen
Upper arm

Alternate injection site Change the injection site each time. With the FlexTouch, you can use the same body part, but choose a different spot than last time.

Not into a vein or muscle Wegovy is only intended for subcutaneous use.

When do you inject Wegovy?

You inject Wegovy once a week. There is no prescribed fixed time of day, and you inject it independently of meals.

Preferably on the same day

Choose a fixed day of the week. A regular routine helps you not to forget your injection.

Morning or evening

Both are fine: the product information does not state a preferred time. Choose a moment that fits well into your week.

Before or after eating

It doesn't matter, you inject Wegovy independently of meals. Unlike the Wegovy pill, you don't need to be fasting.

Can you change the day?

Yes, if at least 3 days have passed since your last injection. After that, you inject once a week again, on the new day.

Missed dose?

What you do then depends on how many days have passed. Read what to do if you miss a Wegovy dose.

Which Wegovy pen do you have?

Wegovy comes in different pens, and they do not work the same way. Therefore, check the name on your pen and only use the instructions for use that belong to it.

Wegovy FlexTouch (multi-dose pen)

  • Four doses per pen
  • A new needle for each injection
  • With a dose counter window and an injection button
  • Check flow during the first use of a new pen

Wegovy single-use pen

  • One pre-set dose
  • Built-in needle that remains hidden
  • The dose is administered automatically
  • You only use the pen once

Do not swap instructions. The pens differ in needle, dosage, and operation. Only follow the instructions for use of the pen you have.

How to use the Wegovy FlexTouch Pen

A simple teal outline icon of an eye with a central pupil.
1. Check pen and liquid
Check the name and strength on the pen. The liquid must be clear and colorless.
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2. Attach new needle
Place a new needle straight onto the pen and twist it tight. Then remove the outer and inner needle caps.
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3. Check flow for a new pen
Only before the first injection with a new pen. You check if a drop appears at the tip of the needle.
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4. Set prescribed dose
Turn the dose selector until your prescribed dose is aligned with the mark in the dose counter window. Do not count clicks.
A teal target icon with a central dot and two concentric circles.
5. Choose injection site
Your abdomen at least 5 cm from your navel, your thigh, or your upper arm. Not the same spot as last time.
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6. Inject dose
Press and hold the injection button until the dose counter window shows 0. Keep pressing and then slowly count to 6.
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7. Remove needle and cap pen
Remove the needle after each injection. Do not store the pen with the needle on and replace the pen cap.

These are the instructions for use in brief. Have your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse demonstrate the operation beforehand and always read the complete instructions for use in the package leaflet.

Do not dose by clicks. The instructions explicitly state that the dose in the dose counter window counts, not the number of clicks. Read more about dosing Wegovy by clicks

How does the Wegovy single-use pen work?

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1. Keep pen capped until use
Only remove the pen cap when you are ready to inject. Do not store an unused pen without its cap.
A teal target icon with a central dot and two concentric circles.
2. Choose injection site
Your abdomen, thigh, or the front of your upper arm.
A teal down arrow icon pointing to two horizontal lines, symbolizing download or save.
3. Place pen according to instructions
When the needle guard presses against the skin, administration starts. The needle remains hidden.
Teal hourglass icon with sand at the bottom, symbolizing time passing or a waiting period.
4. Wait until the yellow bar is completely still
If you remove the pen earlier, you may not receive the full dose.
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5. Discard pen after single use
Upon removal, the needle guard locks. Do not reuse the pen.

This pen works differently from the FlexTouch: the dose is pre-set, the needle remains hidden, and the pen automatically administers the dose. Always read the complete instructions for use.

An initiated injection cannot be interrupted and finished later. If you doubt whether you have received the full dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What else should you consider when using Wegovy?

Before use

  • Check the name and type of pen.
  • Follow your treatment plan.
  • Use only clear, colorless liquid.
  • Read the complete instructions for use.

Do not swap

  • Do not use FlexTouch instructions for the single-use pen, and vice versa.
  • Do not dose by clicks.
  • Do not adjust your dose or schedule yourself.

How you store Wegovy and take it on a trip differs per pen and per moment: unused or already in use. Read more about storing Wegovy.

If in doubt, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do you have a question about your own treatment? Contact your treating physician.

  • Yes. The thigh is one of the three sites mentioned in the product information. Rotate injection sites each time.

  • Yes, on the front of your upper arm, under the skin.

  • Take it as soon as you remember, if appropriate. Never take a double dose.

  • Under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or the front of your upper arm. Never inject Wegovy into a vein or a muscle.

  • It doesn't matter, you inject Wegovy independently of meals. The fasting rules for the Wegovu pil do not apply to the injection.

  • Yes, if at least 3 days have passed since your last injection. After that, you inject once a week again on the new day.

  • A mild reaction at the injection site, such as redness, itching, or a bruise, is common and usually resolves on its own; read more about itching or redness at the injection site. Vary the injection site each time. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if pain persists, if the injection site becomes swollen or warm, or if there are signs of an allergic reaction.

  • It varies per person. You start with a low dose that is gradually increased; read more about how Wegovy dosage is built up. Discuss your expectations with your doctor.

  • Store an unused pen in the refrigerator (2 to 8 °C), not in the freezer, and in its packaging to protect it from light. How long a pen can be kept out of the refrigerator varies per pen: refer to the leaflet for FlexTouch and single-use pen terms. Read more about Wegovy storage.

More about Wegovy

Make an appointment with one of our doctors

Do you have questions about your treatment, or do you want to know if a medical weight loss program is right for you? In a consultation, a doctor will discuss your situation with you.

Make an appointment

Sources

  • European Medicines Agency (EMA). Wegovy: EPAR, product information in Dutch. ema.europa.eu. Version March 30, 2026, consulted on November 3, 2026.
  • CBG Medicines Information Bank. Package leaflet Wegovy FlexTouch, solution for injection in pre-filled pen. geneesmiddeleninformatiebank.nl, consulted on November 3, 2026.
  • CBG Medicines Information Bank. Package leaflet Wegovy, solution for injection in pre-filled single-dose pen. geneesmiddeleninformatiebank.nl, consulted on November 3, 2026.
  • Novo Nordisk Netherlands. Patient information and instruction videos Wegovy. novonordisk.nl, consulted on November 3, 2026.