Step 1: Prepare for your injection
First, gather your supplies:
- Your new Wegovy pen
- An alcohol swab
- A cotton ball or gauze pad
- A sharps disposal container
Next, prepare the pen:
Wash your hands
Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Check your Wegovy pen
Look through the pen window to ensure the medicine is clear and colourless.
Important
Do not use your Wegovy pen if:
- Any part of the pen looks broken or if it has been dropped.
- The medicine inside looks cloudy or has any colour.
- The expiration date (EXP) on the label has passed.
Step 2: Prime the pen
To start, remove the cap from the pen and keep it to one side.
Take a wipe and clean the top of the pen.
Take one needle from the pack – remove the paper cover and attach it to the pen – remove the plastic cap and the inner cap to expose the needle.
Please make sure the needle is straight.
Before you use the pen, you need to prime it, this means you are removing the air from the cartridge before the first dose
Turn the dose knob until you hear two clicks and the first long line appears in the dose window, this is the prime position, with the needle pointing upwards.
Tap the cartridge gently to collect air bubbles at the top.
Release a tiny bit of medication to clear the air bubbles from the pen. To do this, press the knob for five seconds, at which stage the zero icon will be shown in the dose window.
Repeat this process until you see a small amount of liquid appearing at the tip of the needle, the pen is now primed and ready to use (you will need to do this before each dose).
Important
You mustn’t prime or use the pen without a needle in it, otherwise it will break.
Step 3: Select site & inject
Choose a place to inject.
You will need to rotate your injection area each time you use the pen.
- If using your stomach, keep at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
- Avoid areas where the skin is bruised, hard, red, or tender.
- Do not inject into scars or stretch marks.
When you’re ready for your first dose, twist the knob all the way back, until the number 1 appears in the dose window. You have to unscrew quite a lot further than you think. You’re now ready to inject.
When you’ve chosen your injection site, pinch your skin and insert the needle at a 90 degree angle.
Push down the plunger all the way until the number zero appears again in the dose window.
Hold the needle in place for a full 10 seconds so the full dose can be administered.
Check the dose window has reset to zero, this is confirmation that the full dosage has been administered.
Step 4: After your injection
After injection, reapply the plastic cap to the needle.
Take the needle off.
Dispose of it safely in a sharps container.
After use, put the cap back on the pen and store it somewhere safe.
It doesn’t need to be in the fridge, but make sure it isn’t kept anywhere that exceeds 30 degrees Celsius.