Guide · injection technique

How to inject semaglutide

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is a once-weekly injection just under the skin. Here’s a clear general walkthrough of the technique, sites and supplies — to read alongside, not instead of, the training your clinician gives you.

Important

This is general education, not medical advice or training. Only inject a medicine that has been prescribed to you, exactly as your clinician and the product’s instructions direct. Your pen’s official leaflet and your healthcare team are the authority — this page never overrides them.

What you’ll need

Alcohol swabsTo clean the injection site before use.View on Amazon → Sharps containerFor safe disposal of used pen needles.View on Amazon → Pen coolerInsulated case to store or travel with the pen correctly.View on Amazon → Cotton / gauzeTo gently press the site afterwards if needed.View on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, Chemdu may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. General supplies shown for convenience; use only as directed. Pen needles for prescription pens should come via your pharmacy/prescriber.

Where to inject

Semaglutide is a subcutaneous injection — into the fatty layer just under the skin, not into muscle. The usual sites are:

  • Abdomen (keep a couple of inches away from the navel)
  • Front of the thigh
  • Upper arm (back/side)

Rotate the site each week and avoid skin that’s bruised, tender, red, hard or scarred.

Step by step

  1. Wash your hands and gather your pen, a new needle, an alcohol swab and your sharps container.
  2. Check the pen: right medicine, right dose, solution clear and colourless (don’t use if cloudy or damaged).
  3. Attach a fresh needle and do any flow/priming check your pen’s instructions require.
  4. Choose and clean a site (different from last week); swab and let it dry.
  5. Inject as directed: insert the needle, press the button to deliver the dose, and hold for the count your instructions specify (often several seconds) so the full dose goes in.
  6. Remove and dispose: withdraw, gently press with cotton if needed (don’t rub), remove the needle and drop it straight into the sharps container.
  7. Store the pen as directed.

Timing & storage

Semaglutide is once weekly, the same day each week, any time of day, with or without food. You can shift the day if needed provided the last dose was at least 48 hours earlier. For storage, unused pens are typically refrigerated; once in use, many can sit at room temperature for a set number of days — check your specific product. Never freeze it.

Frequently asked questions

Subcutaneously (into the fat just under the skin) in the abdomen, front of the thigh or upper arm. Rotate the site each week and avoid bruised, tender or hardened areas.
Once weekly on the same day, any time of day, with or without food. You can change the day if the last dose was at least 48 hours earlier — follow your clinician’s guidance.
The needles are very fine and most people feel little more than a pinch. Room-temperature pen and skin, relaxing the area and rotating sites all help.
Unused pens are usually refrigerated; in-use pens can often be kept at room temperature for a set number of days — check your product. Keep out of heat and light; never freeze.

Related reading

Semaglutide, explained → Semaglutide side effects → Semaglutide dosing schedule →

Not medical advice. Chemdu is an educational resource and does not recommend, prescribe or supply any medication. Follow the official instructions for your specific pen and your clinician’s guidance for injection technique.