What is Wegovy?

Get to know your medication before you start taking it. Read the instructions that come with your Wegovy treatment.

Each Wegovy pen is preset at one particular dose. Make sure you follow the dosage plan outlined by the prescriber and use the corresponding pen.

Things to do before using Wegovy:

• Check that your pen is good for use. This means that there are no signs of damage or discolouration. 
• Always wash your hands before you inject your medication. . 
• You can use Wegovy on the top of the thighs, upper arm or stomach (keeping two inches away from the belly button.) Just make sure the injection site is free from bruising, damaged skin, scars or stretch marks. 
• Don’t use the exact same injection site as the previous week.

How to use Wegovy:

• Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab or water and soap. 

• Remove the cap and look through the pen window to check that the medication is clear and colourless. If it looks cloudy or discoloured, don’t use it.

• Get a new needle and check it for damages (if it’s damaged, don’t use it). Tear off the paper tab.

• Push the needle straight onto the pen, turn until it’s tight.

• The needle is covered by two caps, both of which you’ll need to remove. Pull off the outer needle cap first and leave it to one side — you’ll need to use it to safely remove the needle after injection.

• Then, pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away. A drop of the medication might appear at the tip of the needle.

If it’s your first injection with a new pen, you’ll need to check the flow. To do this:

• Turn the dose selector until the flow check symbol lines up with the dose pointer.
• Then hold the pen with the needle pointing up and press and hold the dose button until the counter returns to 0.
• A drop of Wegovy should appear at the needle tip when you do this. If it doesn’t, check the flow again by repeating this process.
• If there is still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more.
• If a drop of Wegovy still doesn’t appear with a new needle, don’t use the pen.

Next:

• Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops at your prescribed dose.
• Choose your injections site, and insert the needle into your skin.
• Making sure not to cover the dose counter, press and hold down the dose button.
• With the button held down, slowly count to 6. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. You might feel or hear a click when this happens.
• Remove the needle from your skin. If you notice bleeding at the site of the injection, then you can gently press it with a clean gauze pad or cotton ball.

After your injection:

• Leaving the outer needle cap on a flat surface, guide the needle into the cap, making sure not to touch the cap or the needle.
• Once the needle is covered, push the outer needle cap until it’s completely on.
• Unscrew the needle and dispose of it carefully, either into a sharps bin or as directed by your clinician.
• To avoid blocked needles, contamination, infection, or errors, always throw your needles away immediately after use. Never store your pen with the needle attached.
• Return the cap to your pen, to protect the medication from light.
• When the pen is empty (after four doses), dispose of it, without a needle on, as instructed by your clinician. Usually, the pen cap and empty carton can be added to your household waste.