Wondering where to inject semaglutide? Here’s how to use Ozempic and Wegovy safely

Weight loss injections are the way of the future. The self-injectable drug delivery market is growing at a fast rate: the COVID-19 pandemic has forced modern medicine to find new, effective and safe ways of administering medicine to patients properly.

If you have been managing arthritis, diabetes, or harvesting embryos for IVF, you've almost certainly come across self-injectable medicine.

Wegovy and its sibling Ozempic are groundbreaking semaglutide medications for managing weight safely, and there is a growing body of evidence that suggests they are the most streamlined, effective and sustainable options for weight loss.

Many people will be daunted by the idea of injecting themselves with medication every week. We get it: needles are scary!

But, the semaglutide pens are nothing to be worried about — it's easy, low risk and is the most effective way to take this incredible medication that could change your life.

Why is semaglutide an injection and not a tablet?

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, simulates a hormone called GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar levels.

If blood sugar rises, the hormone tells the body to produce more insulin, which will then lower blood sugar levels. This increases a feeling of fullness by making patients feel sated faster, decreasing appetite and therefore eventually helping the patient lose weight.

Both pens are pre-filled syringes that are injected under the skin. Unlike vaccines, it's not to be delivered in a vein or a muscle. A needle inserted under the skin is also known as a subcutaneous injection.

As subcutaneous tissue has few blood vessels, the injected drug is diffused very slowly, sometimes over 24 hours, at a sustained rate of absorption [1].

Therefore, an injection pen is highly effective in administering vaccines, growth hormones, insulin and other medications like Wegovy or Ozempic, which require continuous adherence at a low dose rate [2].

Wegovy and Ozempic are delivered as subcutaneous injections because it is the most effective method of absorption in the body.

When is the best time to inject Wegovy?

Wegovy is a once-weekly semaglutide injection.

One of the great benefits of it is that you can take it any time during the week, with or without food. However, it does need to be taken at the same time each week.

This is because there needs to be a full 7 days between doses — taking it too close together or too far apart can lessen effectiveness.

When you take the injection is up to you, but we recommend making it part of your routine on one day of the week. You could take it on a Sunday night before you start your week, right after your skincare regimen. Or, you could take it first thing on a Wednesday morning every week.

You can take it either with or without food: this will not affect how it works in your body.

How do I know if I've injected Wegovy correctly?

Learning how to use a self-injectable pen can be daunting and a little confusing.

Following the instructions for taking Wegovy or Ozempic is vital, and each pen will include clear steps on how to inject it. As long as you are doing this, you should be fine and have minimal risks to your skin.

The needle on your pen is extremely fine, leaving the risk of infection very low. If you believe something has gone wrong, you can speak to your doctor, and they can make sure you are taking it correctly.

Common Wegovy side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Experiencing these side effects does not mean you are taking it incorrectly. If you have side effects that don’t go away or that become severe, please talk to your doctor.

Where is the best place to inject Wegovy?

As both medications are delivered as a subcutaneous injection, injection sites can include the stomach, thigh or upper arm. Essentially, it needs to be somewhere on your skin that's thick and fatty, and away from veins and muscles.

One of the most important things to remember is not to use the same injection site every time: each injection site should be a different spot with each dose.

Your injection site should have healed by the next dose, but using the same site can lead to inflammation of the skin and even infection, so it's best to rotate where you inject.

How do you inject Wegovy?

Learning how to use the pen before you start will leave you feeling more confident in self-injecting at home.

Prepare your pen

Read the label to check that your pen contains Wegovy (or Ozempic), and make sure that the medicine in your pen is clear and colourless.

Attach a new needle

Tear off the paper tab. Push and turn the needle until it is tight. Pull both needle caps.

Look at the flow check symbol

Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol. This will ensure you're taking the correct dose. Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. Make sure a drop appears at the needle tip.

Administer your injection

Make sure the area around your injection site of choice is clean. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the dose you need to inject.

Inject your dose

Insert the needle into your skin. Press and hold down the dose button. After the dose counter reaches 0, slowly count to 6. Remove the needle from your skin.

After your injection

Carefully remove the needle and place it in a sharps container. Put the pen cap back on the pen.

If you do not have a sharps disposal container, you can place your disposable needles in a container that is:

• Made of heavy-duty plastic;
• Can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid;
• Upright and stable during use;
• Leak resistant, and
• Labelled to warn of hazardous waste inside.

How do I store my Wegovy or Ozempic pen?

Both pens require refrigeration. Store your Wegovy or Ozempic pens in the refrigerator between 2°C-8°C until their expiration date.

What happens if I miss my dose of Wegovy?

If you miss a dose of Wegovy, try to take it as soon as you remember, if it has been 5 days or less since your missed dose.

The catch-up day will become your new scheduled day of the week for your dose. For example, if you've missed your usual Saturday injection date and you take it on Monday instead, then Monday will become your new injection day, and you can inject it every 7 days.

But, if it has been more than 5 days since you were supposed to take the injection, you should skip the missed dose. Then, take the next dose on your regularly scheduled day.

How can I get started using Wegovy?

Wegovy is fast becoming a drug of choice for weight loss, but it is not a medication for everyone and is not a silver bullet for losing weight. Both Wegovy and Ozempic are just one aspect of multiple lifestyle changes you will likely make to lose weight and keep it off.

The most sustainable way to lose weight is to ensure you are under the guidance of evidence-based healthcare professionals who know the ins and outs of weight loss. No two weight loss regimes will be the same, as every person's physical makeup is different.

Juniper's Weight Loss Reset Programme combines weight loss medication with dietitian-led health coaching and tracking, so you can lose weight and reach your goals for good.

Kickstart your weight loss journey with Wegovy or Mounjaro, two groundbreaking weight loss medications that mimic the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, respectively, to help control cravings, delay stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer. These clinically backed treatments help members experience up to 20% body weight loss.

Plus, we have a team of expert dietitians and health coaches you can consult with to help you work through any challenges you're experiencing during your weight management journey. This approach sets you up for sustained weight loss, rather than a quick-fix solution.

This means you can continue to enjoy the things you love in moderation without ever feeling deprived.

Ready to see if Juniper is right for you? You can check your eligibility here.

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