Getting a prescription for semaglutide is only the first part of the treatment plan. What’s most important is being able to take it correctly and consistently. After all, if you can’t take it right, it won’t work as well or maybe not at all. 

Many people who get semaglutide for the first time are often excited and nervous. While it’s normal to start at zero when first using an injectable medication, you might be asking yourself how to inject semaglutide. 

Quick Start: Where You Can Inject Semaglutide

Semaglutide is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin). It’s never injected into a vein or a muscle. The three approved semaglutide injection sites are:

• The abdomen or stomach area
• The thigh
• The upper arm

All three areas absorb the medication well. What matters most is choosing a spot where you can inject it comfortably and rotating the location every time you inject. You can stay within the same general area, but avoid using the exact same spot repeatedly. Doing so could increase the chance of lumps, redness, or tenderness.

No matter which site is chosen, it’s best to avoid injecting into skin that’s:

• Red
• Hard or lumpy
• Bruised
• Scarred
• Unusually sensitive

Those who are new to injections often find the thigh or abdomen the easiest to inject into. These areas are easily accessible, especially if you’re injecting them yourself. 

On the other hand, injecting into the upper arm usually means injecting into the outer part or back of the arm, as these areas are more fleshy. However, most people need assistance from someone else for this. The person who’s doing the assisting will need to know how to inject semaglutide. 

Before You Inject: Prep, Storage, and Safety

Before thinking about how to inject semaglutide, it’s important to prepare in a few ways. Preparing before injecting the drug will help make sure there are no surprises that could lead to mistakes.

1. Wash your hands. Clean hands are key before handling the medication to avoid any risk of contamination or infection. Try to use soap and warm water, although hand sanitizer may be an option if needed.

2. Check the pen. Check for the following:

• The correct medication and dose are being used
• The solution is clear and colorless
• The pen is not expired
• There are no cracks, leaks, or any other type of damage to the pen

If the solution appears opaque or contains particles, do not use the pen.

3. Have a sharps container on hand. A sharps container is where used pens or needles can be disposed of after use. It’s important not to put needles in the trash, which could potentially injure someone. Many pharmacies carry FDA-cleared options and may also offer mail-back programs or drop-off sites for full sharps containers. 

4. Ensure the medication is stored properly. Unused semaglutide should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36–46°F (2–8°C). After using it for the first time, semaglutide can be stored in the refrigerator or at a room temperature of 59–86°F (15–30°C). 

Ozempic can stay stable for up to 56 days at room temperature, while Wegovy can be kept for up to 28 days at room temperature. Compounded semaglutide can typically be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days after opening. However, it’s essential to check the instructions from the compounding pharmacy. 

Keep the medication out of direct sunlight and avoid freezing it. 

If the medication is expired, frozen, or left outside the recommended temperature range (such as in a hot car), it’s best to discard it.

Step-by-Step: How to Inject Semaglutide With a Pen

Once you’ve followed some general prep guidelines and know how to store the drug correctly, you can start injecting it. Knowing how to inject semaglutide also means knowing the exact dosage you need to inject. Here’s what you’ll need:

• The semaglutide pen 
• Alcohol swabs
• A cotton ball or gauze
• Sharps container

Here’s a process you can follow when using the medication:

Step 1: Choose the injection site

Pick the area where the injection will go, whether that’s the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. If you’re choosing the stomach area, the injection should be at least 2 inches from the belly button or navel. For those who are injecting into the upper arm, it’s best if someone else gives the injection.

Rotating the sites is key. If you used your right thigh last week, switch to the left one this week. Or, you can move a couple of inches from the last injection site. Doing so helps prevent skin tissue damage.

Step 2: Clean the skin

Swab the chosen spot with alcohol in a circular motion, and then let it air-dry. Injecting while the skin is still wet could lead to a burning sensation. Avoid touching the area again after swabbing it.

Step 3: Prepare the pen

Each pen may have specific Instructions for Use that will describe (and often show with images) how to set up the dose. Always check that the pen is not expired and that the solution is clear and colorless before using. Preparing the pen typically involves the following:

• Pull the cap straight off.
• Use an alcohol swab to clean the top of the pen.
• Remove the tab from the bottom of the pen needle and place the pen needle onto the pen by turning it clockwise (Wegovy already has a built-in needle).
• Take off the pen needle cap(s).
• Prime the pen (only for the first injection) by turning the dose style to the first line, holding the pen upright, and pressing the dose button until you see a drop come out of the pen.
• Once it’s primed, dial to the correct dose as indicated by your prescription (for fixed-dose Wegovy pens, verify the dose printed on the front).

Avoid touching the needle after taking off the needle cap.

Step 4: Pinch the skin if needed

You may need to pinch the skin depending on your body and the length of the needle.

• Those who are lean can pinch a small fold to ensure the needle goes into the fatty layer of the skin rather than the muscle.
• Those with more fatty tissue in their skin can firmly press the pen into the skin without needing to pinch it.

The injection should always go into the subcutaneous or fatty layer of the skin, not the muscle.

Step 5: Inject the medication

The method of injecting semaglutide will depend on the pen being used. 

For Ozempic, inject as follows:

• Hold the pen at a 90-degree angle against the skin and press the dose button.
• Once the dose counter hits 0, slowly count to 6.
• Remove the pen from the skin.

For Wegovy, inject as follows:

• Hold the pen at a 90-degree angle against the skin and press the pen into the skin.
• A yellow bar will start moving once the pen is pressed firmly (you may hear 2 clicks when the injection starts and while it’s continuing).
• Do not remove the pen from the skin until the yellow bar has stopped moving, which should be at least 10 seconds from start to finish.
• Remove the pen from the skin.

If you see mild bleeding after the injection, that’s normal. Apply gentle pressure with a cotton ball or gauze.

Step 6: Discard the needle or pen

Since Ozempic pens can be used more than once, remove the needle and dispose of it in a sharps container. Always store the pen without the needle.

Wegovy pens are single-use only. That means you can put the entire pen in the sharps container.

It’s essential never to reuse needles. Reusing a needle could lead to more trauma to the skin tissue, which could lead to more pain, bruising, or scarring. 

Step 7: Log your injection

You can record the details of the injection to keep you on track. Log the following: 

• Which site did you inject into
• The dose you used
• What day and time did you inject

Having the details of each injection written down can help you remember when to take the next dose. If side effects occur, knowing this information can also help when consulting a healthcare provider. 

Prefer a clinician to guide you? Book a telehealth consult—we’ll walk you through setup and dosing.

Site-Specific Guides

It may feel different when injecting into different parts of the body. Here are some details to expect when injecting into one of the three approved injection sites. 

How to Give a Semaglutide Injection in the Stomach

The stomach area is one of the easiest areas to inject into since it’s convenient to reach, and you can see what you’re doing. The absorption from this area is also usually consistent. Keep in mind the following when doing a semaglutide abdomen injection:

• Choose a spot at least 2 inches from your belly button. 
• Select a soft area of skin and avoid injecting too close to the ribs or hipbones. 
• Rotate the injection site in a clockwise pattern each week to make it easier to remember.
• Do not inject the drug into scar tissue, stretch marks, or any spot that is red, swollen, or tender.

How to Inject Semaglutide in the Thigh

The thigh is another popular option when injecting this medication. For most people, the thighs have a lot of surface area to work with, which should make site rotation easier. Always use the front part of the thigh, not the inner or back part. Remember the following when injecting semaglutide in the thigh.

• Sit down or stand up for ease and comfort.
• Pick an area in the mid-outer portion where you can pinch up a fold of skin if needed.
• Rotate along a grid up and down the thigh to avoid using the same spot twice. 

How to Inject Semaglutide in the Arm by Yourself

Injecting semaglutide in the arm is best done with someone else’s help. However, it’s still possible on your own. While the abdomen or thigh is usually easier, a mirror can help if you’re alone. Follow these self-injection tips:

• Use the outer, fatty portion of the upper arm, not the deltoid muscle.
• Keep the arm relaxed at your side.
• If you’re unsure whether you’re in the right spot, choose the stomach or thigh instead.
• A shorter needle may be better when injecting in this area to make sure you’re not hitting the muscle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)

Although knowing how to inject semaglutide is relatively straightforward, it’s not impossible to make mistakes. Even people who use insulin or other injections regularly can make mistakes. 

Injecting through clothing

Injecting semaglutide through clothes may seem convenient, but it’s not recommended. Since needle pens are already short, they may not reach far enough to inject into the fatty layer of the skin. Clothing also contains bacteria, fiber, and other particles that could contaminate the injection site. Always inject directly into the skin.

Injecting while the skin is still wet

Not waiting long enough after swabbing the injection site with alcohol could mean the area is still wet. Injecting while alcohol is still there could lead to more stinging and redness after the injection. Always make sure the spot is dry before injecting.

Using a pen that’s too cold

Injecting the drug right out of the refrigerator may cause some discomfort. Try letting the pen sit at room temperature for 10 or 15 minutes. Do not heat it.

Using the same spot

Many people forget to rotate injection sites, which may lead to lumps in that area. Try keeping a system to help remember, such as injecting into the stomach one week and the thigh the next. Or rotate in quadrants or grids. 

Injecting too deeply

Semaglutide only works right when it’s injected into the fatty layer under the skin. Injecting it too deeply may cause it to be absorbed more rapidly, resulting in increased side effects. Make sure to use standard pen needles of 4 to 6 mm, and pinch the skin if you’re too lean in one spot. 

Avoiding these mistakes is easy with proper preparation and a clear understanding of how to administer semaglutide. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your healthcare provider. 

FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

Can I switch my injection day?

Yes, you can switch the injection day as long as it’s been two or more days (48 hours or more) since the last dose. Once you pick a new day, try to stick with that weekly schedule. 

Does site choice affect results?

Site choice shouldn’t affect the results as it’s one of the three approved sites: the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Being comfortable and consistent are often more critical. Rotating the sites can help reduce irritation or the formation of lumps in the skin.  

What if my pen wasn’t refrigerated?

Pens need to be refrigerated before the first use. If it hasn’t been in the refrigerator, use a new pen. Pens can be stored at room temperature as long as they’re already opened. However, if a pen has been exposed to extreme temperatures, such as heat or freezing, it should also be discarded.

Can I inject into a tattoo or scar?

Avoid injecting semaglutide into scars, stretch marks, thickened areas, or irritated skin. It’s usually fine to inject into a tattooed area if it’s already fully healed. 

Is the medication injected into the muscle?

No, semaglutide should continuously be injected just under the skin into the fatty layer. Injecting the drug into the muscle could affect its absorption and cause more side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. It may also be more painful to inject into the muscle.

Ready for Personalized Guidance?

If you would like a clinician to monitor your injection technique, help set up your dose schedule, or determine whether semaglutide or tirzepatide is the right fit for your goals, please start our secure intake form. Licensed providers can prescribe semaglutide or tirzepatide if it’s appropriate.