Semaglutide (sold under the brand name Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss) is a medication you can inject by yourself at home. If you have a prescription for semaglutide and you’re nervous about the process, a healthcare professional will teach you how to self-inject before you do it for the first time.

Semaglutide is a type of drug called a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics a natural hormone in the body and:

• Makes the pancreas release more insulin to lower blood sugar levels
• Blocks the release of glucagon (another hormone that raises blood sugar levels)
• Slows digestion to prevent blood sugar spikes
• Reduces hunger and increases satiety (feelings of fullness)

Although Ozempic is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diabetes, a common side effect is weight loss. Doctors may choose to prescribe Wegovy, a brand of semaglutide specifically approved for weight loss, to help treat obesity.

Here are some tips on where to inject semaglutide and how to inject it safely.

Do Take Time for Proper Prep

Before injecting semaglutide, you’ll have to check a few things on your injector pen. Start by washing your hands. Make sure the label on the pen says the correct name of the drug you’ve been prescribed — Wegovy, Ozempic, or another GLP-1 agonist. The liquid inside should be clear and have no color or particles in it.

Not all GLP-1 agonists will have exactly the same style of pen or the same dosage schedule, so be sure to read the instructions carefully and talk to your doctor before using. For example, you’ll need to attach a new needle tip on the Ozempic pen. Remove the paper tab, and secure the needle to the pen by turning and pushing it on gently. Then, take off the two needle caps.

The Ozempic pen also has a dose button (to change the dose) and a dose counter (to display the dose). To prime the pen, you’d press the dose button until the counter shows zero and a drop forms at the tip of the needle. Then, turn the dose selector on the bottom of the pen until the dose counter displays the dose that your doctor prescribed for you. When you’re done injecting, you’ll carefully remove the needle and dispose of it. The pen cap goes back on the pen to be ready for next time.

On the other hand, Wegovy comes in a single-use pen with a preset dose. You would use a new pen every time. Before use, it’s important to check the expiration date and make sure the medication inside looks clear and colorless. Be sure to keep the cap on the pen until you are ready to inject so the pen stays sterile.

If you want quick visuals of what these pieces look like, check the official website of the drug you’re taking for instructions with pictures. No matter which type of injectable weight-loss medication you’re using, it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about dosage and taking your medication.

Don’t Inject Into Muscles or Veins

Some injectable medications are meant to be injected into muscle tissue, while others must be injected into a vein to enter the bloodstream. However, semaglutide is not designed to be injected into muscles or veins, but rather into the fatty tissue just under the skin’s surface. It’s important to get familiar with the appropriate places to self-inject before you attempt to take your medication at home.

Do Inject Into the Fatty Tissue

Inject semaglutide just under the surface of the skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. That way, the medication can be absorbed into fat tissue, where it’s meant to go. When medications are injected subcutaneously, they absorb into the body slowly and consistently. Ozempic and Wegovy are weekly injections that work every day because they stay in your body and are used little by little.

Semaglutide can be injected into different areas of the body as long as it’s in the right fatty layer of tissue under the skin. You can inject it into your belly, upper legs, or upper arms. If you inject semaglutide in your stomach, don’t do it too close to your belly button — stay at least 2 inches away. Ask your healthcare provider to show you where to inject the drug and check in about any steps you don’t understand during your in-person office visit.

After you decide where you’ll give the shot, clean the skin with an alcohol swab. Let it dry before you do the injection.

Do Rotate Your Injection Site

It’s best to switch up your injection sites each time to prevent soreness or scarring. If you prefer to stick with the same part of your body, try to move to a slightly different spot so it’s not exactly on the same mark each time.

When semaglutide is taken as a subcutaneous injection, it gets absorbed slowly. If you inject in the same spot every time, the medication may build up before it’s fully absorbed, leading to tissue damage.

Don’t Reuse or Share Needles

Reusing needles more than once or sharing needles with another person isn’t safe. These mistakes can put you at risk of a serious infection. If you misplaced or forgot to refill your prescription supplies, take a step back. Contact your healthcare provider to resolve the issue rather than taking a risky shortcut.

Do Use a Sharps Container

Depending on which medicine you’re taking, when you finish your injection, you’ll put the needle or the whole injection pen directly into a sharps container so you can dispose of it safely. Using a sharps container protects other people in your household and those who handle your trash from accidental needlesticks.

It’s OK if you don’t have an FDA-approved sharps container. You can use any hard plastic container that has a tight lid. It should be resistant to punctures and leaks. In addition, label the container to show that it contains hazardous waste.

Do Store Semaglutide at the Right Temperature

A new package of semaglutide doses should arrive in a cold pack. The unused medication needs to be kept between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. You can transfer it to your kitchen refrigerator to ensure it stays cool.

If you have a single-use pen like Wegovy, you will dispose of each pen after use. While it’s best to store Wegovy in a refrigerator, if necessary, a package of pens can be stored in the original carton at room temperature (between 46 and 86 F) for up to 28 days.

For Ozempic, you can continue to store the pen in the fridge after first use, or you can keep it at room temperature (between 59 and 86 degrees F). A pen will last 56 days from the first time it’s used. After that, the pen should be discarded, even if you still have some medication left.

Whichever prescription weight-loss medication you are taking, be sure to check with your healthcare team about proper temperature and storage.

Don’t Let Needle Phobia Hold You Back

It’s not unusual to be nervous about needles. But if you and your healthcare provider decide that your medication can benefit your health, needle phobia shouldn’t be a barrier.

MyObesityTeam members have shared their struggles with self-injections. “I started my injections tonight, and I was in tears because I could not stick myself,” said one member. “My sister was here to help me because she does it too. I was so afraid and I still am because when she goes home tomorrow, I just don’t think I can do it. … This is all new to me, and I am taking baby steps to try to turn my weight problem into a success.”

Needles for subcutaneous injections are very short and thin to minimize discomfort. They’re only as thick as two strands of human hair. Sometimes, the mental hurdle of injections is harder to get through than the actual physical effects of injecting. If you’re having a tough time, talk to your healthcare provider about it. They may have options or resources to help you overcome this issue and stay on track with your treatment plan.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyObesityTeam is the social network for people with obesity and their loved ones. On MyObesityTeam, more than 57,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with obesity.

How do you feel about giving yourself injections at home? If you have some experience, do you have an opinion about the best place to inject? Share in the comments below or on your Activities page.