Using semaglutide means a once-weekly injection under the skin, or for Wegovy tablets a once-daily pill taken on an empty stomach, following the product label.
Where to inject semaglutide
The labels name three areas: the stomach (abdomen), the thigh and the upper arm [1] [2]. The Wegovy label says to change the injection site every time [3], and the Ozempic label says to use a different site each week when you inject in the same body region [2].
- Stomach: under the skin of the abdomen [3].
- Thigh: under the skin of the thigh [3].
- Upper arm: under the skin of the upper arm [3].
- Never into a muscle or vein [1].
The labels do not rank one site as giving better results. Pick the area you can reach and see well.
How to give the injection
Branded pens come with an Instructions for Use leaflet in the carton. Follow it step by step; we did not reproduce it here. A few rules from the Wegovy Medication Guide apply to any pen: use a new needle for each injection, remove and safely discard the needle after each injection, keep the cap on when not in use, and never share a pen, even if the needle is changed [3] [1]. The Wegovy FlexTouch pen is not recommended for self-injection by people who are visually impaired [3].
For compounded semaglutide in vials, FDA advises a new sterile needle and syringe for every dose [4]. We do not give syringe or mixing directions; have your pharmacist or prescriber show you, and follow the pharmacy label. Needle size is set by your pharmacy and prescriber. See compounded semaglutide.
Best time of day and day of the week
Semaglutide injections are once a week. The Wegovy label says you can change the time of day and the injection site without changing the dose [1]. Morning or night both fit the label. Choose a day you will remember.
Missed, early and skipped doses
| Product | Rule |
|---|---|
| Wegovy injection | If the next dose is more than 48 hours away, take it as soon as possible. If it is less than 48 hours away, skip it. If 2 or more doses in a row are missed, contact your provider, who may restart at a lower dose [1]. |
| Ozempic | Take it as soon as possible within 5 days. After 5 days, skip it and resume your regular day [2]. |
| Wegovy tablets | Skip the missed tablet and take the next one the following day [1]. |
A day or two early? The labels give rules for late doses, not early ones. Ask your prescriber before moving a dose earlier. Skipping a week or every other week? Neither label has an every-other-week schedule, and missing 2 or more Wegovy doses in a row can mean restarting at a lower dose [1]. Twice a week? Not a label schedule.
Too much? An overdose can cause severe nausea, severe vomiting and severe low blood sugar [3]. Call your prescriber right away.
Taking semaglutide tablets
Wegovy tablets have strict rules: take one tablet in the morning on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of plain water, swallow it whole, and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything other than water or taking other pills [1]. No more than one tablet a day [1].
The FDA-approved semaglutide products covered here are injections and tablets swallowed whole. Sublingual drops and dissolving products are not among them. Compounded versions are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality [4]. Whether pills work as well as shots is covered in Wegovy pill vs injection.
After the injection
The label does not give an hour or day when effects begin. Stomach side effects were most common while the dose was being raised [1]; see semaglutide side effects. Using a compounded vial after 28 days goes against FDA's advice to discard it 28 days after first use [4]. Storage rules are in semaglutide storage, and the dose steps are in semaglutide dosage.
Questions people ask
Where should you inject semaglutide?
Can I inject semaglutide in my thigh?
Yes. The thigh is one of the three labeled sites, with the abdomen and upper arm [1].
What time of day is best to take semaglutide?
Any time. The Wegovy label says the time of day can change without changing the dose [1].
What if I miss a Wegovy dose?
Take it if the next dose is more than 48 hours away; skip it if less. Missing 2 or more in a row may mean restarting at a lower dose [1].
What if I miss an Ozempic dose?
Take it within 5 days. After 5 days, skip it and go back to your regular day [2].
Can I take semaglutide a day early?
What happens if I take too much semaglutide?
It can cause severe nausea, severe vomiting and severe low blood sugar. Call your prescriber right away [3].
How do you take semaglutide tablets?
Wegovy tablets: one tablet each morning on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of plain water, swallowed whole, then wait 30 minutes before food, other drinks or pills [1].
What happens if you use semaglutide after 28 days?
FDA says compounded multi-dose vials should be discarded 28 days after first use [4]. Branded pens have their own limits in the Medication Guide.
Sources
4 cited
- Wegovy (semaglutide) injection and tablets, Prescribing Information (revised 6/2026). DailyMed, National Library of Medicine, Jun 18, 2026.
- Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, Prescribing Information (revised 5/2026). DailyMed, National Library of Medicine, Jun 1, 2026.
- Wegovy Medication Guide (revised 6/2026). DailyMed, National Library of Medicine, Jun 18, 2026.
- FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. US Food and Drug Administration, Oct 1, 2026.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own care.