How To Inject Weight Loss Medication

In this article we’ll guide you through the weight loss injection process for your injectable weight loss treatment whether it’s Mounjaro or Wegovy.

We recommend reading your patient information leaflet, the instructions for the medication you’ve been prescribed and watching the relevant how to inject medication video in full before administering your medication for the first time. Remember you can come back to these resources at any time and the Levity clinical support team is here to help.

How to inject Wegovy

With Levity you’ll receive 1 Wegovy pen each month, this pen contains 4 doses. You'll also receive 4 disposable needles and you must use a new one each time you inject.

Preparing and checking your Wegovy:

1. Remove your medication from the refrigerator and make sure all the items you need are nearby on a clean surface. This includes your medication pen, sharps bin and disposable needle.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
3. Pull off the pen cap.
4. Check your pen isn’t expired or damaged and check that the medication is clear and colourless in the window of the pen. Do not use the medication if the pen is damaged or expired or if the solution is discoloured or cloudy. 
5. Select a needle to use for your injection and check the paper tab and the outer needle cap for damages. If you see any damage, dispose of the needle in a sharps bin as this could affect sterility.
6. Tear off the paper tab from the needle, then push the needle onto the pen and twist until it's secure.
7. Remove both caps from the needle, keeping the outer cap for later to safely dispose of your medication.

Checking the flow of your pen

You’ll only need to complete this step before your first injection with a new pen.

1. Turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol and make sure it lines up with the dose pointer.
2. With the needle pointing upwards press the dose button until a small drop of medication appears at the tip of the needle. This means the needle is ready for use.
3. If a drop does not appear, you’ll need to check the flow again. However, this should only be done twice and if there is still no drop, change the needle and check the flow once more. Do not use the pen if a drop of Wegovy does not appear.

Choosing an injection site:

When choosing an injection site remember to choose one where you can see the pen window and is easily accessible. Our Levity team also recommends rotating your injection sites each time you inject to reduce the possibility of injection site reactions.

1. Choose an injection site: upper arms, stomach or the front of your thighs. It doesn’t matter which site you choose — it’s entirely up to you.

Administering your Wegovy:

1. Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops, and your prescribed dose lines up with the dose pointer.
2. Position the pen at the injection site.
3. Insert the needle into your skin and inject the medication by holding down the dose knob while you count to 6. 
4. The ‘0’ icon should be visible in the dose window before removing the needle from the skin.
5. Remove the needle from your skin. 
6. If blood appears at the injection site, press on it lightly with a clean tissue, but do not rub the area.

Disposing of medication:

1. Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface. Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on. 
2. Unscrew the needle and dispose of it in your sharps bin.
3. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use and store it safely in the refrigerator until your next dose.

How to Inject Mounjaro

With Levity you’ll receive 1 Mounjaro pen each month, this pen contains 4 doses. You'll also receive 4 disposable needles and you must use a new one each time you inject.

Preparing and checking your Mounjaro:

1. Remove your medication from the refrigerator and make sure all the items you need are nearby on a clean surface. This includes your medication pen, alcohol swab, sharps bin and disposable needle.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
3. Pull off the pen cap.
4. Check your pen for any signs of damage and check that the medication is clear and colourless to slightly yellow in the window of the pen.
5. Do not use medication if the pen has signs of damage or if the medication is cloudy or discoloured.
6. Wipe the red inner seal of the pen with one of the wipes.
7. Select a needle to use for your injection and check the paper tab and the outer needle cap for damages. If you see any damage, dispose of the needle in a sharps bin as this could affect sterility.
8. Tear off the paper tab from the needle, then push the needle onto the pen and twist until it's secure.
9. Remove both caps from the needle, keeping the outer cap for later to safely dispose of your medication.

Priming your Mounjaro pen:

1. Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear 2 clicks and the extended line is shown in the dose window. This is the prime position.
2. With the needle pointing upwards, tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top. 
3. Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. A small amount of medicine should come out the tip of the needle and the ‘0’ icon must be shown in the dose window.
4. If a small amount of medicine is not released, repeat these steps an additional 2 times. On the 3rd time, change the pen needle and repeat again.

Choosing an injection site:

When choosing an injection site remember to choose one where you can see the pen window and is easily accessible. Our Levity team also recommends rotating your injection sites each time you inject to reduce the possibility of injection site reactions.

1. Choose an injection site: upper arms, stomach or the front of your thighs
2. Clean the site with the alcohol swab provided. 

Administering your Mounjaro:

1. Turn the dose knob until it stops and the ‘1’ icon is shown in the dose window.
2. Position the pen at the injection site.
3. Insert the needle into your skin and inject the medication by holding down the dose knob and count to 5. The ‘0’ icon should be visible in the dose window before removing the needle from the skin.
4. Remove the needle from your skin. 
5. If blood appears at the injection site, press on it lightly with a clean tissue, but do not rub the area.

Disposing of medication:

1. Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface. Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on. 
2. Unscrew the needle and dispose of it in your sharps bin.
3. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use and store it safely in the refrigerator until your next dose.

Questions about injecting your medication

If you’re still unsure about how to inject your medication or you have any questions about the weight loss injection process you can reach out to the Levity clinical team at care@joinlevity.co.uk or 020 7046 0307.

How to get injectable weight loss medication

If you haven’t been prescribed weight loss medication you can find out what treatment is suitable for you at joinlevity.co.uk.