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Instructions: Semaglutide Injection

🧬 GLP-1 Receptor Agonist

Semaglutide Injection Complete Patient Guide

Step-by-step instructions for preparing, administering, and storing your subcutaneous semaglutide injection safely and effectively.

🚨 YOU MUST NOT (CRITICAL SAFETY RULES)
You must never share your semaglutide vial or syringe with anyone else. Sharing needles or medication can lead to serious infections and disease transmission.
You must not inject into a vein or a muscle. This medication is for subcutaneous (under the skin) injection only into fatty tissue.
You must never use the medication if it has been frozen. Frozen medication is chemically compromised and must be discarded.
You must not use the medication if it appears cloudy, contains particles, or has changed color. It must always be clear and colorless.

Introduction

Semaglutide is a prescription medication in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, used for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes treatment. It mimics a natural hormone that regulates appetite, insulin secretion, and blood sugar levels. When used as part of a medically supervised program with diet and exercise, semaglutide can support meaningful weight loss. It is administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly.

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a synthetic analogue of the hormone GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite. It works by:

  • Increasing insulin secretion when blood glucose is high
  • Reducing glucagon release
  • Slowing gastric emptying (keeping you full longer)
  • Reducing appetite and food cravings

Common prescriptions: Weight management in adults with obesity, overweight adults with related conditions, and Type 2 diabetes management.

How to Prepare & Administer the Injection

1. Wash Your Hands: Wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before starting.

2. Inspect & Clean: Check the vial or pen carefully. Wipe the rubber stopper of the vial with an alcohol swab. Also, clean the chosen injection site on your skin and let it dry completely. You must not blow on the skin to dry it.

3. Prepare the Syringe (if using vial): Insert the needle into the vial and draw the prescribed dose. Check for and remove air bubbles by tapping the syringe gently. You must not use a needle that has touched any non-sterile surface.

4. Insert & Inject: Pinch the skin gently and insert the needle at a 45–90° angle. Press the plunger slowly and hold for a few seconds to ensure the full dose is delivered.

5. Removal & Safe Disposal: Withdraw the needle carefully. You must never reuse a syringe or needle. Place the used syringe immediately into a sharps container.

Recommended Dosing Titration Schedule

START0.25 mgWeeks 1–4
STEP0.5 mgWeeks 5–8
ESCALATE1 mgWeeks 9–12
MAX2.4 mgWeeks 13+

Caring for your Wegovy® pen

  • • Do not drop your pen or knock it against hard surfaces
  • • Do not expose your pen to any liquids
  • • If you think that your pen may be damaged, do not use it or try to fix it. Use a new pen
  • • To reduce the risk of infection, keep the pen cap on until you are ready to inject. Your pen will not be sterile if it is stored without the cap.

Storage Instructions

  • Refrigerate: Store at 36°F–46°F (2°C–8°C).
  • Original Packaging: Protect from sunlight.
  • Do NOT Freeze: Discard immediately if frozen.
  • Safety: Keep out of reach of children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wegovy® is a once-weekly injection that you give yourself. It is taken on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food.
Wegovy® comes in 5 different doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. Each dose comes in a pen of a different color.
It’s recommended that you use Wegovy® pen on the same day every week, at a time that is most convenient for you. If you need to change the day of the week, you may do so as long as your last dose was given 2 or more days before.
It’s important to properly dispose of your used Wegovy® pens. After injecting your dose, do not throw away the pen in your household trash or recycling bin. Instead, use one of the following:
• An FDA-cleared sharps disposal container
• A sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure it’s puncture and leak resistant, properly labeled, and stored upright.

You can request a complimentary sharps disposal container from Novo Nordisk®. Follow local guidelines for disposal.
If <5 days, take ASAP. If >5 days, skip and continue your regular schedule. You must not take two doses at the same time.
Needles are very small; discomfort is minimal.