Wegovy (semaglutide) injection pen information

Wegovy is a prescription injectable medicine used for chronic weight management alongside diet and physical activity. It is supplied as a prefilled injection pen designed for once-weekly use. This page summarizes how it works, dosing steps to know, safety considerations, and practical handling details.

What Wegovy Is and How It Works

CanadianInsulin operates as a prescription referral service rather than a dispensing pharmacy. Eligible prescriptions may be coordinated with US shipping from Canada, using a cash-pay model for some people without insurance.

This medicine contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1 medicines act on appetite and satiety pathways in the brain and also slow stomach emptying. In plain terms, the treatment can help reduce hunger and support smaller meal sizes over time. Because gastric emptying can slow, some oral medicines may absorb differently, and gastrointestinal symptoms are common during dose increases.

Who It’s For

Indications are defined by the product label and local regulations. In general, semaglutide for weight management is used for long-term weight reduction and weight maintenance in adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. Some regions also authorize use in adolescents (for example, ages 12 years and older) with obesity. For related medication options, browse the Weight Management hub or condition listings such as Obesity.

Contraindications and key exclusions also come from the label. Use is not appropriate for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with MEN2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2). The medicine is also contraindicated in those with serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide or product components. Pregnancy planning and current pregnancy should be discussed with a healthcare professional, since weight-loss therapy is generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Dosage and Usage

Administration is subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection, typically once weekly on the same day each week. Injection sites commonly include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, and sites are rotated to reduce local irritation. Dose adjustments are made according to the titration plan in the prescribing information, because this medicine is started low and increased in steps.

Typical titration schedule (high level)

Label-based schedules usually begin with a low starter dose and increase every several weeks until a maintenance dose is reached. A common step-up pattern progresses through 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 1.7 mg before moving to a 2.4 mg maintenance dose, with each step lasting about four weeks unless the prescriber directs otherwise. This gradual approach is intended to improve tolerability, especially gastrointestinal symptoms. Missed-dose instructions depend on timing within the weekly interval, so the package insert and prescriber directions should be followed for specific situations.

Why it matters: Slow titration can reduce nausea and other stomach-related effects.

Prescriptions may be confirmed with the prescriber before processing.

Strengths and Forms

Wegovy is provided as single-dose, prefilled pens in multiple dose strengths intended for the titration steps and maintenance. Common label strengths include 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg per injection. Fill volume can differ by strength, so the carton label and pen label are the most reliable identifiers.

Packaging and supply can vary by market and pharmacy source. When multiple pens are stored together, mix-ups can happen during titration. Keeping cartons separated by strength and recording the week’s dose on a calendar can help avoid selection errors. For patients who use other injectable therapies, storing different brands in separate bins can also reduce confusion.

Storage and Travel Basics

Refrigerated storage is standard for many GLP-1 products. In general, unopened pens are kept in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C and protected from light in the original carton. The medication should not be frozen, and pens exposed to freezing temperatures are typically discarded per labeling. If refrigeration is not available, room-temperature allowances may apply for a limited period; follow the package insert for the exact limits.

For travel planning, a temperature-stable container and a plan for airport screening can prevent avoidable exposure. The guidance in Travel With Ozempic covers practical packing approaches that often translate well to other injectable pens. A pharmacy can confirm how to interpret expiration dating after time at room temperature.

Quick tip: Avoid placing pens directly on ice packs.

Side Effects and Safety

Wegovy can cause gastrointestinal effects, especially during dose escalation. The most commonly reported issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and reduced appetite. Headache and fatigue may also occur. Many reactions are dose-related, which is why stepwise increases are used.

Serious risks require prompt medical assessment. The label includes warnings about pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder disease such as cholelithiasis (gallstones), and acute kidney injury, particularly in the setting of dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea. Because of the boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors in rodent studies, this therapy is contraindicated in people with medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. Any symptoms like severe persistent abdominal pain, signs of allergic reaction, or a neck mass should be evaluated urgently by a clinician.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Clinically important interactions are often related to blood-glucose effects and absorption changes. When used with insulin or insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas), the risk of hypoglycemia can increase, and prescribers may adjust other diabetes medicines. Because gastric emptying is slowed, the timing and effect of some oral drugs may be altered, which matters most for medicines with a narrow therapeutic index.

Combination use with other GLP-1 receptor agonists is generally avoided unless a prescriber gives a clear rationale. People with type 2 diabetes or those taking multiple cardiometabolic therapies may benefit from an interaction review; the Type 2 Diabetes hub can be used to browse related treatments. For a broader discussion of the medication class, see Tirzepatide Vs Semaglutide.

Compare With Alternatives

Several prescription options exist for chronic weight management. One alternative is tirzepatide (a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist), which is also administered weekly; another is liraglutide, which is injected daily. These therapies have different titration schedules, side-effect profiles, and contraindications, so comparisons should rely on the official labeling and an individualized clinical assessment.

For reference when reviewing options, the pages Zepbound Details and Saxenda Details summarize other branded products. General background on the broader class is covered in GLP 1 Weight Loss Drugs. Non-drug approaches, including nutrition support, activity programs, and bariatric procedures, may also be part of a long-term plan.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket expense varies by dose, supply chain conditions, and whether coverage applies. Some plans require prior authorization or step therapy, and coverage rules can change. For people paying cash, total monthly expense often depends on the current titration stage and the dispensing pharmacy’s acquisition costs. For site-wide updates, Site Promotions may list limited administrative offers.

Wegovy requires a valid prescription, and documentation requirements depend on the medication and destination. Licensed pharmacies in Canada dispense the medication that is supplied. For some patients without insurance coverage, using a referral platform can be one way to access cash-pay dispensing when permitted.

Authoritative Sources

For the most reliable details on indications, contraindications, and dosing schedules, use official prescribing information. These documents also list storage limits, warnings, and medication guide language in full.

For the U.S. label, review the FDA Prescribing Information PDF. For the manufacturer’s prescribing document, see Novo Nordisk Prescribing Information.

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.