Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription injection approved to help with weight loss and reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular issues. You may wonder about the best way to store Wegovy and whether it always needs to be refrigerated.
In general, Wegovy should be stored in the refrigerator. But you can leave it out of the fridge for up to 28 days as long as it’s stored at a temperature of 86°F (30°C) or less and doesn’t freeze or come into contact with light.
You can inject Wegovy immediately after removing it from the refrigerator. But it’s important to avoid freezing your pen or injecting it if it’s previously been frozen.
You don’t need to warm up the Wegovy pen before using it. If you find that injecting Wegovy immediately after removing it from the fridge causes discomfort, you can let the pen warm up to room temperature first. Doing so is optional, but it may help eliminate any discomfort from injecting cold fluid.
If you choose to let Wegovy warm to room temperature, do not remove the cap until you’re ready to inject your dose.
What temperature should Wegovy be stored at?
For best results and safety, it’s important to follow the storage instructions that come with your medication. It’s best to store your pens in their original carton in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
It’s important to throw away your pen if it’s been:
- frozen
- exposed to light
- exposed to temperature above 86°F (30°C)
- out of the refrigerator longer than 28 days
Wegovy can be kept out of the refrigerator for up to 28 days if it’s kept at a temperature of 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) before you remove the pen cap.
While traveling, you may want to use an insulated case to keep the drug within the required temperature range. Make sure you do not put the drug next to an ice pack, which may freeze it. (The medication needs to be thrown away if it freezes.)
If you’re going to be flying, it’s best to keep your Wegovy pen with you in your carry-on luggage to keep it from freezing. You’ll need to declare your Wegovy medication at the security checkpoint for screening.
For more information about traveling with Wegovy, see this article.
How long does Wegovy last in the fridge?
Each Wegovy pen has an expiration date marked on it to let you know how long you can store it safely. The expiration date is written near the top of the pen next to the Wegovy logo.
Here are some common questions people have about using and storing Wegovy.
What should I do if I forgot to refrigerate Wegovy?
If you forget to put Wegovy in the refrigerator when you first get it, you can still refrigerate it as long as the pens have not been:
- left out of the fridge for more than 28 days
- frozen
- exposed to a temperature above 86°F (30°C)
If you’re not sure whether you can still use Wegovy after leaving it out of the fridge, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are Rybelsus and Ozempic stored in the same way as Wegovy?
Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic are all brand-name drugs that contain the active ingredient semaglutide, but these medications vary in how they’re used and stored.
Rybelsus comes as an oral tablet and should not be refrigerated. The tablets should be kept in the original bottle at a temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), somewhere dry and away from moisture.
Ozempic is given as an injection under the skin and comes in an injection pen. It should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) before its first use. After its first use, your Ozempic pen can be stored for 56 days at a temperature of 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
Each Wegovy pen contains a single dose, while an Ozempic pen contains multiple doses. Like Wegovy, Ozempic should not be used if it’s previously been frozen.
If you have other questions about how Wegovy compares with Rybelsus or Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do I inject Wegovy?
Wegovy is given as an injection under the skin once weekly. You can self-inject the drug into your abdomen or thigh. Someone else can give you the injection in your upper arm. You should not inject Wegovy into a vein or muscle.
Before injecting Wegovy for the first time, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can show you how to inject the drug and help determine which injection sites are best for you.
Before you inject a dose, it’s important to make sure that the window on the front of your pen is clear and colorless. (Some air bubbles are typical and don’t affect the dose.)
For step-by-step instructions on how to inject the drug, see the Wegovy website or this article.
After your injection, you should make sure the yellow bar in the pen window has stopped moving. This means you’ve received the full dose.
If you’re having issues with your Wegovy pen, the manufacturer recommends calling the Wegovy Navigation Line at 833-4-WEGOVY (833-493-4689).
If you’re having trouble using Wegovy correctly, you can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
In general, Wegovy should be stored in the refrigerator. But the drug can be left out of the fridge for up to 28 days as long as the temperature doesn’t go above 86°F (30°C).
Wegovy should not be injected if it’s previously been frozen or exposed to light. Your pen will also have an expiration date marked on it to let you know how long you can safely use it.
It’s important to keep Wegovy and other medications out of the reach of children.
If you have questions about using Wegovy correctly, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
