How to inject a GLP-1 pen: a simple step-by-step
Most GLP-1 medications (including Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound® and Saxenda®) come as a prefilled pen that you inject just under the skin. The walkthrough below is a general overview of how a subcutaneous pen injection is commonly done. It is not a set of instructions for your specific pen: each product is a little different, so always follow the leaflet that came with your medication and the demonstration your nurse or pharmacist gave you.
1. Before you start
A little preparation makes the whole thing calmer and cleaner:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Gather what you need: your pen, a new needle (if your pen uses screw-on needles), an alcohol wipe, and a sharps disposal container.
- Check the medicine. Confirm it is the right pen, it is not past its expiry date, and the liquid looks as the leaflet describes (many are clear and colourless). Don't use it if it looks cloudy, discoloured, or has particles, unless your leaflet says that's expected.
- Room temperature. Some pens are kept in the fridge and feel more comfortable if allowed to reach room temperature first: check whether your leaflet recommends this.
2. Choose and rotate your injection site
GLP-1 pens are injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin, commonly the abdomen, the front of the thigh, or the back of the upper arm. Pick a spot that's different from your last injection so the skin stays healthy. For more on where to inject and why rotation matters, see our guide to GLP-1 injection sites & rotation.
3. Prepare the pen
The exact steps depend on your pen, but the common pattern is:
- Attach a new needle if your pen uses them, removing the protective caps as instructed.
- Do the safety / flow check (sometimes called "priming") if your leaflet calls for one: this clears air and confirms the pen is working. Many single-use weekly pens don't need this; follow your specific instructions.
- Set the dose. If your pen has a dose dial, set it exactly as prescribed. Many GLP-1 pens are pre-set to a single dose.
4. The injection, step by step
- Clean the skin with an alcohol wipe and let it air-dry.
- Pinch a fold of skin at the site if your instructions call for it.
- Place the pen against the skin at the angle your leaflet specifies (often 90°) and press the button or plunger to start the dose.
- Hold it in place. Keep the pen still and pressed until the full dose is delivered: many pens ask you to hold for several seconds (your leaflet gives the exact count) so all the medicine goes in.
- Remove the pen straight out, in the same direction you put it in.
5. After the injection
- Don't rub the spot. A small amount of bleeding or a tiny bruise can happen and is usually nothing to worry about; press gently with a clean tissue if needed.
- Dispose of the needle safely. Put the used needle or pen straight into a proper sharps container: never in household trash, and never recap a needle to reuse it.
- Note it down. Recording the date, dose, and site makes your next injection easier and gives your doctor a clear picture.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Reusing needles — a fresh needle each time is cleaner and more comfortable.
- Injecting into the same exact spot — rotate to avoid lumpy, hardened tissue (lipohypertrophy).
- Removing the pen too early — pulling out before the hold time is up can mean part of the dose is left behind.
- Skipping the leaflet — pens differ, and your specific instructions always win over a general guide like this one.
Nervous about doing it yourself?
That's very common, especially for the first few injections. The needles are typically short and thin, and most people find it easier than they expected. If you're unsure about any step, ask your nurse or pharmacist to watch you do it once: they do this all the time and can quickly put your mind at ease.
Frequently asked questions
How do you inject a GLP-1 pen?
In general: wash your hands, prepare the pen (attach a needle and do a safety check if your leaflet calls for it), clean a rotated site on the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, place the pen against the skin, press to deliver the dose, hold for the number of seconds your leaflet specifies, then remove the pen and dispose of the needle safely. Always follow your specific pen's instructions.
Do you need to pinch the skin?
It depends on the pen and the site. Some instructions ask you to gently pinch a fold of skin to lift the fatty tissue; others don't. Your medication's leaflet will tell you what's right for your pen.
How long do you hold the pen in?
Many GLP-1 pens ask you to keep the pen pressed against the skin for several seconds after the dose starts, so the full dose is delivered. The exact count varies by product: your leaflet gives the specific number.
Does a GLP-1 injection hurt?
The needles are usually very short and thin, and many people feel only a small pinch or nothing at all. Letting the alcohol dry, relaxing the muscle, and rotating sites can all make it more comfortable.
Should the pen be at room temperature before injecting?
Some pens are stored in the fridge and feel more comfortable to inject once they've reached room temperature. Whether to do this (and for how long) depends on your product, so check your leaflet.
Can you reuse a pen needle?
No. Needles are meant for single use: a fresh one each time is cleaner, sharper, and more comfortable. Used needles go straight into a sharps container.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not replace the instructions that come with your medication. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or a qualified healthcare provider (and follow your medication's leaflet) before making any decisions about injections or dosing.
Sources
Log every injection with Dozify
Dozify records the date, dose, and site of each injection, suggests the next site in rotation, and reminds you when your next dose is due: all offline, on your device.
Download the app See how injection logging works → And if a dose is late → And where the pen lives between doses →