If you’re considering a semaglutide medication like Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss, you may be a bit worried about the weekly injections. Both medications come in a pre-filled pen so you can inject your dose right at home. If you’ve never used an injection pen before, that might seem intimidating. But learning a few key techniques—including exactly where to inject Ozempic or Wegovy—can help make the medication more effective. Here’s what you need to know, plus more ways to boost the results of injectable weight loss medications.
Does where you inject Ozempic or Wegovy affect results?
Both Ozempic and Wegovy can be injected under the skin in your abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Your doctor can give you specific instructions on how to use the Ozempic or Wegovy pen.
So which site will deliver the fastest weight loss results? The short answer is that all three injection sites are equally effective in the long run. In fact, the makers of Ozempic and Wegovy recommend rotating between injection sites each week to help avoid common side effects like redness, bruising or swelling.
While a study published in Diabetes Therapy found that semaglutide was absorbed 12 percent more slowly when injected into the thigh compared to the abdomen, that doesn’t mean you should skip the thigh as an injection site. A review published in the journal Obesity Pillars noted that the bioavailability of injectable semaglutide—i.e. the amount of medication that ultimately enters your bloodstream—is equivalent at all three injection sites.
“The injection site doesn’t change how well semaglutide works,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician and chief medical advisor for Fortune Recommends.
Where to inject Ozempic: Best practices
That said, there are a few easy tips that can help you pinpoint exactly where to inject Ozempic or Wegovy at each injection site to ensure you’re getting the full dose in the correct spot:
- Upper arm: Inject in the soft, fleshy area of the outer arm, between your shoulder and elbow. You may need someone to help you reach this area.
- Thigh: Inject in an area with fatty tissue on the front of the leg.
- Abdomen: Inject at least two inches or more away from your belly button, and avoid injecting into scar tissue or stretch marks.
Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe or soap and water first. Then aim to inject the medication into a fatty or fleshy spot, Dr. Dasgupta says. Avoid any areas that are bruised or irritated, and don’t inject semaglutide into a muscle, vein or scar tissue. Doing so could affect how your body absorbs the dose.
You can also watch the video below for how to use and inject an Ozempic pen:
4 ways to boost the effectiveness of Ozempic or Wegovy
Along with diet and exercise, these tips can help optimize the benefits of semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.
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Inject going into the weekend
Semaglutide can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and bloating. According to FDA data, around seven percent of people stopped taking Wegovy altogether because of these side effects.
If semaglutide messes with your stomach, doing injections on a weekend will let you weather the worst of these symptoms in the privacy of your own home, Dr. Dasgupta says. But if that’s not a major issue for you, choose whatever day works best for your schedule. “The key is picking a day you’ll remember and sticking to it consistently,” Dr. Dasgupta adds.
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Check the temperature of your fridge
Proper storage will keep Ozempic and Wegovy stable and effective. It’s best to store unopened pens in the fridge with the temperature set between 36 and 46°F. You can safely refrigerate the pens until first use or until their expiration date.
Store the medication away from the cooling element so it doesn’t freeze, and take the pen out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you use it to avoid the discomfort of a cold needle (brrr). After your first dose, you can store your Ozempic pen at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 56 days.
If you’re dealing with supply issues or icky side effects, you may consider skipping a month or two. But sticking to your routine is the easiest way to boost the effectiveness of Ozempic or Wegovy. “Consistency is everything,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “Semaglutide works best when it’s part of a long-term plan. Skipping doses or quitting too soon makes it easier to regain lost weight.”
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Take a water break every hour
“Staying hydrated is important, since dehydration can make side effects worse,” Dr. Dasgupta says. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that women get 2.7 liters (around 11 cups) of water each day.
However, about 20 percent of that comes from food, so you need around nine cups to come from plain water and other beverages. That may sound like a lot, but you can hit that goal just by sipping 8 ounces of water (the amount in a small juice glass) every hour during your workday.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
