Skip to main content

Wegovy Injection Sites: Where and How to Inject

Proper injection technique and site rotation are crucial for Wegovy's effectiveness and comfort. Learn where to inject, how to use the FlexTouch pen, and how to prevent injection site reactions.

Approved Injection Sites for Wegovy

The FDA approves three main areas for subcutaneous Wegovy injections: the abdomen, the thigh, and the upper arm. Each site has advantages and disadvantages depending on your comfort level, accessibility, and skin condition.

The Abdomen (Front of Stomach)

The abdomen is the most common injection site for Wegovy. The area has relatively thick subcutaneous tissue, making it easier to hit the fat layer under the skin consistently. Most patients find abdominal injections straightforward to perform themselves because they can easily see and access the area.

Choose an area 2 inches away from your belly button. You can inject around the sides and front of your abdomen, providing plenty of space for site rotation. Many patients prefer the abdomen because it's visible, reducing anxiety about injection accuracy.

The downside: if you're new to injections, the proximity to your stomach might cause psychological anxiety. Some patients find the needle sensation more noticeable in the abdomen compared to other sites.

The Thigh (Front and Outer Side)

The thigh is an excellent alternative to the abdomen. Use the front or outer side of the thigh, roughly in the middle. The area has sufficient subcutaneous tissue and provides ample space for rotating injection sites.

Many patients find thigh injections easier psychologically because the site feels less sensitive than the abdomen. The thigh also works well if you have significant abdominal tissue or scarring that makes abdomen injections difficult.

The main challenge with thigh injections is positioning—you might need a mirror to see the injection site, and some patients find it awkward to self-inject in this location. If you have a partner, they can inject your thigh for you more easily than other sites.

Upper Arm (Back of the Arm)

The upper arm is the least common injection site, partly because many patients find self-injection here awkward. Use the back of the upper arm (the triceps area), roughly in the middle of the arm between shoulder and elbow.

The upper arm works best if someone else administers your injection, as the angle and positioning are challenging for self-injection. If you have a partner, caregiver, or nurse helping with your injections, the upper arm is perfectly viable.

The advantage of the upper arm is that you can rotate multiple injection sites within the arm, and it's easy to keep this area covered and protected from sun exposure.

Site Rotation Schedule

Proper site rotation is essential for preventing lipohypertrophy (thickened lumps of tissue) and maintaining consistent medication absorption. Here's a systematic approach:

Basic Rotation Pattern

Divide each injection area into zones and rotate systematically:

  • Week 1: Abdomen, right side
  • Week 2: Abdomen, left side
  • Week 3: Right thigh
  • Week 4: Left thigh
  • Week 5: Back to abdomen, right side (at least 1 inch from Week 1 site)

This 4-to-5-week cycle ensures you don't return to the exact same spot for a month. The key principle is spacing: each new injection should be at least one inch away from previous injection sites.

Multi-Zone Rotation

If you want more granular control, divide each area into quadrants:

  • Abdomen: upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left
  • Right thigh: upper, middle, lower
  • Left thigh: upper, middle, lower
  • Upper arms: right and left

This gives you approximately 11 to 12 distinct injection zones. With this system, you won't return to the exact same spot for 11 to 12 weeks, significantly reducing the risk of lipohypertrophy.

Tracking Your Injections

Many patients use a simple calendar or phone notes to track where they injected each week. Writing down the site (e.g., "abdomen right" or "thigh left") helps you remember which area to use next week and prevents accidentally injecting in the same spot twice.

Proper Spacing Guidelines

The spacing requirement is simple but critical: inject at least one inch (approximately 2-3 centimeters) from any previous injection site. This distance matters because injecting too close together can cause:

  • Lipohypertrophy (thickened, bumpy tissue)
  • Lipoatrophy (hollowed, indented tissue)
  • Bruising and bleeding
  • Uneven medication absorption
  • Increased pain and injection anxiety

One inch is roughly the width of your pinky finger or the diameter of a quarter. Use this as a mental reference when choosing your injection site. If you can see or feel lumps or thickening in your abdomen or thigh, avoid those areas completely until the tissue returns to normal.

How to Use the Wegovy FlexTouch Pen

The Wegovy FlexTouch pen is an easy-to-use disposable injection device. Here's the step-by-step technique:

Before You Start

Remove your pen from the refrigerator 15 minutes before injection. Cold medication can be uncomfortable, and allowing it to reach room temperature improves injection comfort. Never use a pen that's been frozen or overheated.

Visually inspect the medication. It should be clear and colorless. If it appears cloudy, discolored, or has particles, don't use it—contact your pharmacy or Novo Nordisk.

Step-by-Step Injection

  1. Remove the outer cap: Twist and remove the large gray outer needle cap from the pen.
  2. Remove the inner cap: Pull straight off the inner needle cap (the transparent plastic piece). You'll now see the needle.
  3. Check the needle: Ensure the needle is straight and undamaged. If it's bent or broken, use a new pen.
  4. Prepare your skin: Clean your chosen injection site with an alcohol wipe or soap and water. Allow the area to dry completely—injecting into wet skin can dilute the medication and cause pain.
  5. Pinch the skin: Gently pinch the skin at your injection site to create a small fold. This helps you inject into the subcutaneous tissue and not deeper.
  6. Position the pen: Hold the pen perpendicular to your skin (at a 90-degree angle). Your thumb should be on the large gray button on the back of the pen.
  7. Push the needle in: Firmly push the needle into the pinched skin in one quick motion. The needle is small and sharp—it shouldn't take much pressure.
  8. Press the injection button: Push the gray button on the back of the pen firmly. You'll hear and feel a click, and the medication will be delivered. Keep the pen pressed against your skin for three seconds after the click to ensure the full dose is delivered.
  9. Remove the pen: Pull the pen straight out and release the skin fold.
  10. Replace the caps: Place the inner cap back on the needle first, then the outer cap. This prevents accidental needle sticks.

Technique Tips

Speed matters: Quick, confident insertion is less painful than slow, hesitant approaches. Practice your movement so you can do it smoothly.

Angle is critical: A 90-degree angle (perpendicular to the skin) ensures you hit the subcutaneous tissue. Shallow angles might deposit medication into the dermis instead of the fat layer.

Three-second hold: After you hear and feel the click, count to three before removing the pen. This ensures the full dose is delivered and reduces medication leakage.

Don't reuse pens: Each FlexTouch pen is single-use. After you've injected, dispose of it properly in a sharps container. Never reuse a pen or needle.

Managing Injection Site Reactions

Normal Reactions (No Treatment Needed)

Minor redness, bruising, or slight swelling at the injection site is completely normal and requires no treatment. These reactions typically fade within a few hours to a few days. Bruising is common if you accidentally hit a small blood vessel.

To minimize bruising: apply ice to the injection site for 5-10 minutes before injecting, and avoid injecting over visible veins or arteries. Avoid blood thinners like aspirin if possible in the 24 hours before and after injection.

Lipohypertrophy (Thickened Tissue)

If you repeatedly inject in the same area, the tissue can thicken and develop a bumpy, lumpy texture. This is lipohypertrophy and is entirely preventable through proper site rotation. If you develop lipohypertrophy:

  • Stop injecting in that area completely
  • Rotate exclusively to other sites for at least 4 weeks
  • Consider more frequent rotation to 7-10 distinct sites
  • The tissue usually returns to normal over weeks to months once you stop injecting there

Lipoatrophy (Indented Tissue)

The opposite of lipohypertrophy, lipoatrophy causes indentations or hollowed-out areas at injection sites. This is rare but can happen with repeated injections in the same spot. Management is the same as lipohypertrophy: rotate away from the affected area and let it heal.

Signs to Contact Your Doctor

Seek medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe swelling, warmth, or redness at the injection site
  • Signs of infection (pus, increasing warmth, fever)
  • Persistent itching or hives at multiple injection sites (possible allergic reaction)
  • Hard lumps that don't resolve within a week
  • Pain that limits your ability to move the limb

Tips for More Comfortable Injections

  • Ice before injection: Apply ice for 5-10 minutes before injecting to numb the area and reduce pain sensation.
  • Room temperature medication: Allow the pen to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cold medication is more uncomfortable.
  • Relaxed muscles: Tense muscles are more sensitive. Take a few deep breaths and relax the injection area before pushing the needle in.
  • Consistent timing: Injecting at the same time each week makes it routine and reduces anxiety.
  • Sharp needles: Never reuse a needle or pen. Dull needles cause more pain and tissue trauma.
  • Distraction: Some patients find distraction helpful—focus on something else while injecting or have someone talk to you during the injection.
  • Proper technique: A quick, confident injection hurts less than a slow, tentative approach.

Semaglutide Injection Sites provides detailed information on injection site selection for all semaglutide formulations.

How to Inject Peptides covers general subcutaneous injection technique applicable to all peptide medications.

Peptide Injection Sites explains anatomical considerations for various injection locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA-approved sites are the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm (back of the arm). You inject subcutaneously (under the skin) once weekly. Rotating between sites helps prevent skin reactions and ensures consistent absorption.

Space each injection at least one inch (about 2-3 centimeters) from the previous injection site. This prevents lipohypertrophy (thickened skin) and ensures even medication distribution. You need enough area to rotate safely.

No. Repeatedly injecting in the same spot can cause lipohypertrophy, lipoatrophy, or skin irritation. Always rotate your injection sites. A good practice is to use a different site each week and avoid the exact same spot for at least 4 weeks.

Absorption is similar across abdomen, thigh, and upper arm, so medication effectiveness doesn't change based on site choice. However, some sites may be less painful or easier to access than others. Choose what's most comfortable for you.

Minor redness and small bruises are normal and usually resolve within a few hours to a few days. If you experience severe swelling, warmth, infection signs, or persistent lumps, contact your doctor. These could indicate lipohypertrophy or infection.

Withdraw the pen from the fridge 15 minutes before injection. Remove the outer needle cap, then the inner needle cap. Check that the medication is clear (not cloudy). Place the needle at 90 degrees to clean skin and press the injection button until it clicks.

Wegovy works best when injected at the same time each week for consistency. Many patients choose a day they'll remember, like Monday or Friday. The time of day doesn't matter much, as long as you're consistent.

Final Thoughts

Proper injection technique and site rotation are simple but crucial aspects of Wegovy therapy. The FlexTouch pen is designed to be user-friendly, and most patients become comfortable with self-injection within a few weeks.

The most important principle is site rotation. By systematically rotating between different injection areas and maintaining proper spacing, you can prevent lipohypertrophy and ensure consistent medication absorption throughout your treatment.

If you're anxious about self-injection, remember that the needle is small and sharp—it doesn't hurt much if done correctly. Consider asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist to demonstrate the proper technique on your first injection. Within a few weeks, self-injection becomes routine.