How to Inject Wegovy: Using the FlexTouch Pen Step by Step

Wegovy is injected once a week with a FlexTouch pen. Each pen holds four doses of one strength, and you dial your dose before each injection. This guide walks through each step as the UK patient leaflet describes it, plus where to inject, what to do with the 7.2 mg dose and how to store your pen.

Before You Start

Check the label is your dose and the medicine is clear and colourless; each pen holds 4 doses.

The Wegovy FlexTouch pen is a dial-a-dose pen. It comes in five strengths (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg), and each pen contains four doses, one a week. The pack contains the pen, 4 NovoFine Plus needles and the leaflet.

• Check the label to make sure it is your prescribed dose, especially if you use more than one injectable medicine.

• Check the medicine through the pen window: it should be clear and colourless. Do not use it if it looks cloudy or coloured, has been frozen or has been in direct sunlight.

• Read the instructions in the pack before your first injection, and ask your prescriber, nurse or pharmacist to show you if you are unsure. If you have poor eyesight, get help from someone trained to use the pen.

Step 1: Attach a New Needle

Use a new needle and remove both the outer and inner needle caps.

Use a new needle for every injection. Check the paper tab and outer cap for damage, then:

• Pull off the pen cap.

• Tear off the paper tab and push the needle straight onto the pen, turning until it is tight.

• Pull off the outer needle cap and keep it, then pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away. The leaflet warns that if you forget to remove both caps, you will not inject any Wegovy.

Never use a bent or damaged needle.

Step 2: Check the Flow With Each New Pen

Before the first injection with each new pen, dial the flow check symbol and look for a drop.

Only do this before the first injection with each new pen. If the pen is already in use, go straight to setting your dose.

• Turn the dose selector until the flow check symbol lines up with the dose pointer.

• Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and press and hold the dose button until the counter shows 0.

• A drop should appear at the needle tip, which means the pen is ready.

If no drop appears, check the flow again, but only twice. If there is still no drop, change the needle and check once more. Do not use the pen if a drop still does not appear.

Step 3: Set Your Dose

Turn until your dose lines up with the pointer; do not count clicks.

Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops at your prescribed dose and it lines up with the dose pointer. A dashed line in the counter guides you.

The pen clicks as you turn it, but the leaflet is clear: do not set the dose by counting the clicks. Read the dose counter instead. If the counter stops before your dose, there is not enough left in the pen for a full dose: throw it away and use a new pen. Only use Wegovy once a week, as prescribed.

Step 4: Choose Where to Inject

Stomach (at least 5 cm from the belly button), thigh or upper arm, in a different spot each time.

Inject under the skin of your stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh) or upper arm. If you inject into your stomach, keep at least 5 cm away from your belly button.

You can use the same body area each week, but not the same spot as last time. You can inject at any time of day, with or without food.

Step 5: Inject Your Dose

Press until the counter shows 0, keep pressing and count slowly to 6, then remove the needle.

• Insert the needle into your skin, and make sure you can see the dose counter without covering it.

• Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows 0.

• Keep pressing with the needle in your skin and slowly count to 6, then remove the needle.

If you take the needle out too early, a stream of medicine may come out and you will not get your full dose. A small drop at the needle tip afterwards is normal. If there is a little blood, press lightly on the spot.

If the counter does not return to 0 when you press, the needle may be blocked, and you have not had any Wegovy, even though the counter moved. Change the needle and set your dose again.

Step 6: After Your Injection

Recap and dispose of the needle, never store the pen with a needle on, and replace the pen cap.

• Guide the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface, without touching it, then push the cap on.

• Unscrew the needle and dispose of it as your pharmacy or local authority advises. Never put the inner cap back on.

• Never store the pen with a needle attached; it can cause blocked needles, contamination, infection and inaccurate doses.

• Put the pen cap back on to protect the medicine from light.

Never share your pen or needles with anyone, and keep them out of reach of children.

Taking the 7.2 mg Dose

With the FlexTouch pen, three 2.4 mg injections with new needles, at least 5 cm apart.

Some adults with obesity move up to 7.2 mg once a week after at least 4 weeks on 2.4 mg. With the FlexTouch pen this is given as three 2.4 mg injections on the same day:

• Use a new needle for each of the three injections.

• You can use the same body area, but keep each injection at least 5 cm apart.

• Make sure you have enough pens to complete all three injections before you start.

The SmPC also describes a single-use 7.2 mg pen, which gives the dose in one injection that takes about 5 to 10 seconds. Your prescriber decides which you use; see Wegovy dosage for the schedule.

How to Store Your Pen

In the fridge before first use; once in use, below 30°C or in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

• Before first use: keep it in the fridge (2°C to 8°C), away from the cooling element.

• Once in use: keep it below 30°C or in the fridge, for up to 6 weeks.

• Do not freeze it, and never use a pen that has been frozen.

• Keep the cap on when you are not using it.

After the fourth dose some medicine may be left, but it is not enough for a dose, so dispose of the pen without a needle on.

If Something Goes Wrong

Missed dose: take it within 5 days, never double up; talk to your doctor if you use too much.

• Missed dose: if it is 5 days or less, take it as soon as you remember; if it is more than 5 days, skip it and take the next one on your usual day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

• Used more than you should: talk to your doctor straight away, as you may get side effects such as feeling sick.

• Side effects: feeling sick, diarrhoea and other stomach effects are most common while the dose is increasing. Seek immediate medical help for severe stomach pain that does not go away. See Wegovy side effects.

Report suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions