Semaglutide injections are an effective way to lose weight. The medication was FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management earlier this year. The medication requires that patients undergo weekly injections. Most people give themselves the injections at home; however, patients can also come into the office for the injections. Giving yourself injections can sound daunting, but it is something that many people do every day.
Injecting Semaglutide Weight Loss Medication
Semaglutide may come in either an injectable pen form or a traditional syringe. This ultimately depends on several factors, but both can be safely self-administered at home. When prescribed the medication, the patient’s provider will also demonstrate the right injection technique.Injectable Pen
To inject semaglutide with an injectable pen, patients will first select the injection site. Semaglutide injections should be in the upper arm, stomach, or thigh. Additionally, patients should rotate these locations for each weekly injection. Next, patients should use an alcohol wipe to disinfect the injection site. Then, holding the pen firmly in their hand, they press it into the injection site. The patient never sees the needle this way, similar to injecting an Epi-pen.Syringe
A traditional syringe injection of semaglutide may require drawing medication up from a vial, or it may come pre-loaded in the syringe. Regardless, the injection process is similar following that initial step. Patients disinfect the area and should pinch the skin lightly. Then, carefully placing the needle underneath the skin, patients then push down the syringe and pull it out.Tips For Injecting Semaglutide For Weight Loss
- Set a schedule and perform the weekly semaglutide injections on the same day of the week at roughly the same time.
- Inject two inches from the belly button on either side when injecting into the stomach. This area tends to hold more fat and be a less painful place to inject into the stomach.
- Know that there is little pain overall when it comes to subcutaneous injections. These injections reach just below the skin and require a tiny needle in comparison to other injections you may have received. This is why certain injection sites are preferred and easier to inject into.
- Rotating the injection site every week prevents skin irritation. This is especially important for patients who may have certain skin conditions. While patients are unlikely to experience major swelling following their injections, injecting semaglutide weight loss medication into the same place week after week would become painful, uncomfortable, and more likely to be injected.
