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Category: Taking Wegovy®
When you’re managing your weight with Wegovy®, a reduced-calorie meal plan, and increased physical activity, there are a lot of details to remember. Whether you’re about to begin taking Wegovy® or you want a refresher, these steps for using the pen are worth taking a few minutes to review. In addition to helping with pen use, these tips can help you create a routine for taking Wegovy®.
See full Indication and Important Safety Information
First off, make sure you’ve got a clear idea of the whole injection process. Your health care provider has most likely shown you how to use your Wegovy® pen, and they can be a great resource if you have questions.
You can also watch this video for step-by-step instructions:
When using your pen, remember these tips:
(Click on any of these for more details)
Check that you have the right medicine and dose |
This may seem obvious, but it’s not something you want to overlook. Your pen should say Wegovy® and have a clear and colorless liquid inside.
It’s also important to increase your dose according to your health care provider’s instructions. You will “step up” through a series of lower doses over several months until you reach your maintenance dose.
Make sure you’re taking the right dose by looking at the dose amount on the pen. Each dose strength is labeled with its own color.
The colors on the pen correspond to the colors on the “My Medicine” page of your WeGoTogether® portal. This helps when you’re logging your dose after the injection. See Log your dose below.
If there’s any question about which dose you should be taking, check with your health care provider. Once you’re sure you have the right dose, you’re ready to use the pen.
Rotate your injection site |
Each time you’re ready to inject, you’ll take a new, prefilled pen out of the box. The needle is already attached and hidden, so you don’t have to look at it.
Your health care provider should have shown you exactly how and where to inject your Wegovy®. Remember not to use exactly the same spot on your body every time. We recommend talking with your health care provider to create a site rotation schedule that works for you.
Make sure you complete the injection |
About 10 seconds total
It’s important to get all of the medicine from your pen into your body. You may want to create a firm area to inject by flattening your skin with 2 fingers. Line up the pen straight against your body so that you can see the pen’s window. When you push the pen firmly against your skin, you’ll hear a click. The injection has started.
You’ll see the yellow bar in the pen’s window begin moving (if it’s not moving, push the pen more firmly against your skin.) Then you will hear a second click. You’re almost there. Keep applying pressure for a few seconds until the yellow bar stops moving.
When the bar stops moving, the injection is complete. It takes about 10 seconds from start to finish. The yellow bar may not completely fill the window, but as long as it has stopped moving, you can slowly lift the pen away from your skin. You’re done.
Afterward, put the used pen in a sharps disposal container. Learn more about safely disposing of your pens in the Instructions for Use.
There are still key steps to take…
Log your dose |
“Did I take my dose yesterday? Or was it the day before? Wait, am I thinking of last week?”
To keep track and remove any doubt later, log each dose as soon as you’re done.
We recommend entering it in the My Medicine section of this portal. Your dosing history will be stored securely, and it will be up to date the next time you create a monthly WeGoTogether® Snapshot.
In addition to using the web portal to track your dose, you can also write it down in a journal or log it in your phone. However you do it, find a way to log your dose that works for you. Head into next week feeling confident that you’re on track.
Set a reminder for your next scheduled dose |
Now that you’ve taken your dose and logged it, there’s one more thing to do: Remember to take it next week. You can take your Wegovy® at any time of day, so take it at a time that works for you. Here are some suggestions to help you remember:
Build your weekly dose into your existing routine. What’s something you do on the same day every week? For example, if you do the laundry every Saturday morning, then put a note next to your laundry basket to help you remember to take your Wegovy® when you’re done.
Use your smartphone or computer. Put your weekly dose on your digital calendar and set a reminder. If your routine changes—for instance, if you’re traveling—digital reminders are extra helpful.
Put a reminder where you’ll see it. If you prefer paper and ink, write a reminder on a sticky note and post the note near where you keep your Wegovy®. If it’s in the refrigerator, put a reminder on the fridge door. If you keep it in a medicine cabinet, put a sticky note on the cabinet door.
If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away (48 hours), take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away (48 hours), do not administer the dose. Take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
If you miss doses for more than 2 weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your health care provider to talk about how to restart your treatment.
One more thing—check your supply of pens. If you’re running low (1 or 2 pens left), talk to your health care provider about getting a refill.
Now reward yourself for making a habit of taking your weekly dose! For instance, you might decide to celebrate by playing a favorite song. In a week, you’ll be ready for your next dose with more experience and the confidence to know you can handle this routine. Keep up the great work! |