To inject Wegovy in your stomach, you’ll place the pen against your lower abdomen at least 2 inches from your belly button, press firmly, and hold until the yellow bar stops moving. The whole injection takes only a few seconds, but getting the placement and technique right matters for comfort and effectiveness.
Choosing the Right Spot on Your Stomach
The key rule for stomach injections is staying at least 2 inches away from your belly button in any direction. That means you’re working with a ring-shaped zone across your lower abdomen, avoiding the area directly around and above the navel. You can use the left side, right side, or below the belly button, as long as you maintain that 2-inch buffer.
Avoid any areas with bruises, scars, stretch marks, or skin that feels hard or lumpy. Since Wegovy is a weekly injection, you’ll want to pick a slightly different spot within this zone each week. Rotating prevents the fatty tissue under your skin from developing firm lumps over time, which can affect how well the medication absorbs.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather everything in one place: your Wegovy pen, an alcohol swab (or soap and water), a gauze pad or cotton ball, and an FDA-approved sharps container for the used pen. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching anything.
Take a quick look at your pen before using it. Check the expiration date and look through the pen window to confirm the medication appears clear and colorless. If it looks cloudy or has particles floating in it, don’t use that pen.
Cleaning and Preparing the Skin
Wipe your chosen injection spot with an alcohol swab or clean it with soap and water. This removes dirt and oils that could introduce bacteria under the skin. Let the area air-dry completely for a few seconds before injecting. Skipping the drying step is a common reason injections sting more than they need to, since wet alcohol on broken skin causes that familiar burning sensation. Once the site is clean and dry, don’t touch it again.
Step-by-Step Injection Process
Pull the pen cap straight off. The needle is hidden inside the device, so you won’t see it or need to handle it. Be careful not to press down on the needle cover while removing the cap, since the needle is right beneath it.
Place the pen flat against your cleaned skin and push firmly. You need steady, consistent pressure here. The injection starts when you hear the first click, and you’ll see the yellow bar in the pen window begin to move. Keep the pen pressed against your skin the entire time. Don’t lift it or ease up on the pressure.
Wait for the second click. This signals that the yellow bar has stopped moving and the full dose has been delivered. Only then should you lift the pen away from your skin. Removing it too early means you may not get your complete dose. The process from first click to second click typically takes just a few seconds, but it can feel longer when you’re waiting.
What to Do If Liquid Leaks Out
A small drop of liquid on the skin surface after you remove the pen is normal and nothing to worry about. It won’t reduce the effectiveness of your dose, and you should not try to inject additional medication to make up for it. If the yellow bar didn’t move at all when you pressed the pen against your skin, try pushing harder. If the pen still won’t fire, discard it properly and use a new one. Novo Nordisk runs a helpline at 1-833-4-WEGOVY for pen malfunctions.
Disposing of the Pen Safely
Drop the used pen into your sharps container immediately after the injection. Don’t try to recap it or reuse it. Each Wegovy pen is single-use. Fill your sharps container only to about three-quarters full, then follow your local community guidelines for disposing of it. Many pharmacies and hospitals accept full sharps containers.
If you’re traveling or away from home, keep a small travel-size sharps container with you. Never throw a used pen directly into household trash or recycling.
Storing Your Pens Between Doses
Wegovy pens belong in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. If refrigeration isn’t available, a pen can stay at room temperature for up to 28 days, as long as the temperature stays between 46°F and 86°F. Keep it away from direct light. Throw away any pen that has been above 86°F, has frozen, or has been out of the fridge longer than 28 days. Some people prefer to take the pen out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before injecting, since room-temperature medication can feel more comfortable going in.
Tips for a More Comfortable Injection
The stomach is one of the most popular injection sites because it has a generous layer of subcutaneous fat, which makes the needle less noticeable. If you’re nervous about your first injection, try relaxing your abdominal muscles. Tensing up can make the sensation sharper. Breathe out as you press the pen against your skin.
Switching sides of your abdomen each week (left one week, right the next) is a simple rotation strategy that gives tissue time to recover. You can also alternate between your stomach, front of your thigh, and upper arm from week to week if you prefer more variety. Just make sure you can clearly see the pen window during the injection, which is one reason many people find the stomach easiest to use on their own.