Wegovy is a once‑weekly injection that many people can self‑administer at home. In the UK and EU, Wegovy is commonly supplied as a FlexTouch® dial‑a‑dose pen that contains 4 doses. This guide walks you through the practical steps: preparing the pen, attaching a new needle, doing the flow check (with each new pen), setting the dose, injecting correctly, removing the needle safely, and storing the pen.

For the full Wegovy overview, start at the Wegovy (semaglutide) weight loss injection hub. For the weekly titration ladder (0.25 → 2.4 mg), see Wegovy dosage schedule.

Table of Contents

Quick safety checklist (read this before your first injection)

Use Wegovy once weekly exactly as prescribed.
Never share your pen or needles with anyone.
Always use a new needle for every injection.
Only check flow before the first injection of a new pen.
Do not use the pen if the solution looks cloudy or coloured.
Do not store the pen with a needle attached.
If you have poor eyesight, get help from a trained person.

What you need (before you begin)

Have these ready on injection day:

Your Wegovy FlexTouch pen (check the label dose).
A new disposable needle (e.g., NovoFine® Plus / NovoFine® / NovoTwist® per leaflet).
Sharps disposal container (for used needles).
Alcohol wipe or mild skin cleanser (optional).
A calm, well‑lit surface so you can see the dose counter clearly.

Understand the pen parts (so you don’t mis-dose)

Your pen has a pen cap, a window (to check the liquid), a dose selector, a dose counter, a dose pointer, and a dose button. You set your prescribed dose by turning the dose selector until the dose counter shows the correct number. Do not set the dose by counting clicks—use the dose counter.

Step 1 – Prepare your pen with a new needle

Do this every time you inject (even if the pen is already in use):

1) Check the pen label: make sure it says Wegovy and the dose matches your prescription.
2) Pull off the pen cap.
3) Look through the pen window: the solution should be clear and colourless. If cloudy/coloured, don’t use it.
4) Take a new needle when you’re ready to inject. Check the paper tab and outer needle cap for damage.
5) Tear off the paper tab.
6) Push the needle straight onto the pen and turn until it is on tight.
7) Remove both needle caps: keep the outer needle cap (you need it later), and discard the inner needle cap.

Step 1.1 – Flow check (only with each new pen)

You only do a flow check before your first injection with each new pen. If your pen is already in use, you skip this and go straight to setting the dose.

Flow check steps (new pen only):

Turn the dose selector until the flow check symbol lines up with the dose pointer.
Hold the pen upright with the needle pointing up.
Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0/flow position.
A drop should appear at the needle tip (this means the pen is ready).
If no drop appears: repeat the flow check (up to two times). If still no drop, change the needle and try once more.
If a drop still doesn’t appear, do not use the pen-get advice from a pharmacist/clinician.

Step 2 – Set your dose

Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops and shows your prescribed dose. Use the dose counter display-do not count clicks. When your dose lines up with the dose pointer, it is selected.

If the dose counter stops early (not enough medication left)

If the dose counter stops before you reach your prescribed dose, there isn’t enough solution left for a full dose. Dispose of the pen and use a new pen for a complete dose.

Step 3 – Choose your injection site (and rotate properly)

Wegovy is injected under the skin (subcutaneous) in one of three areas: stomach (abdomen), upper thigh, or upper arm. You can inject into the same general body area each week, but avoid injecting into the exact same spot as last time.

Simple rotation rules that prevent problems:

Keep at least 5 cm away from your belly button if you inject into the stomach.
Rotate across the area (e.g., left/right side, different positions).
Avoid skin that is bruised, tender, scarred, or irritated.

Step 4 – Inject your dose (the part people get wrong)

Use this exact logic to avoid partial dosing:

1) Insert the needle into your skin.
2) Make sure you can see the dose counter (do not cover it with your fingers).
3) Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter shows 0.
4) Keep pressing the dose button and keep the needle in your skin while you slowly count to 6.
5) Remove the needle from your skin.

Why the slow count matters: if you remove the needle too early, Wegovy may stream from the needle tip and the full dose may not be delivered.

Step 5 – After your injection (safe needle removal + disposal)

After injecting, do this to avoid needle injuries and dosing errors:

1) Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface (do not touch the needle).
2) Push the outer needle cap on fully.
3) Unscrew the needle and dispose of it in your sharps container (or as instructed locally).
4) Never try to put the inner needle cap back on (risk of needle stick).
5) Put the pen cap back on the pen to protect from light.
6) Never store your pen with a needle attached.

How to store the Wegovy pen (so it doesn’t stop working)

Storage rules are a major reason people get problems with performance or side effects. Follow your leaflet, but these are the core principles used for Wegovy pens:

Keep Wegovy in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) and away from the cooling element.
Do not freeze. Never use a pen that has been frozen.
Protect the pen from light (keep the cap on, keep in carton when appropriate).
After first use (FlexTouch multi-dose pen): the pen can be stored below 30°C or kept in the fridge for a limited period (commonly 6 weeks).
Do not expose the pen to dust, dirt or liquid; wipe with a damp cloth if needed (do not wash/soak).

Common mistakes (and how to prevent them)

Mistake 1: reusing needles

Needles are single use. Reusing them increases the risk of blocked needles, contamination, infection, and inaccurate dosing.

Mistake 2: skipping the flow check on a brand-new pen

Flow check is only needed with each new pen before the first injection. Skipping it can mean you don’t notice a problem until you’ve already attempted a dose.

Mistake 3: removing the needle too early

If you don’t keep the button held down and count slowly to 6, you can get partial dosing. Always keep the needle in your skin until the count is complete.

Mistake 4: covering the dose counter

If you cover the dose counter with your fingers, you can interrupt the injection or misread whether the dose completed.

Troubleshooting

If no drop appears during flow check:

Repeat flow check (up to two times).
If still none, change the needle and try once more.
If still none, don’t use the pen; get pharmacist/clinician support.

If you suspect a blocked needle:

The dose counter may move, but you didn’t actually receive Wegovy. Change the needle and try again.

If blood appears at the injection site:

Press lightly with tissue/gauze; do not rub aggressively.

Side effects note (what’s normal vs what needs help)

Mild nausea or stomach upset can happen, especially early on or after a dose increase. But persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, or severe abdominal pain needs medical advice.

FAQs

Do I need to check the flow before every injection?

No. You only check flow before your first injection with each new pen. If the pen is already in use, you skip the flow check.

How long should I hold the button down?

Hold the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0, then keep holding while you slowly count to 6 before removing the needle.

Can I inject in the same area every week?

Yes, but avoid the same exact spot each time. Rotate within the area to reduce irritation and lumps.

What if the dose counter stops before my dose?

It usually means there isn’t enough medication left for a full dose. Dispose of the pen and use a new pen for a complete dose.

Can I reuse a needle if I forgot to inject?

No. Use a new needle each time to prevent blocked needles and contamination.

Where can I get Wegovy safely in the UK?

Wegovy is prescription-only. Use a regulated prescribing pathway with eligibility checks and follow-up.