Does Wegovy Need to Be Refrigerated? Storage Tips and More
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.
Can you inject Wegovy when it’s cold?
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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:
How long can Wegovy be out of the refrigerator when traveling?
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.
Frequently asked questions about Wegovy
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:
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.
Summary
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.
Hey there, little buddy!
So, you know how sometimes we need to take medicine to make us feel better? Well, there’s a special kind of medicine called Wegovy that helps people lose weight and keeps them healthy. It’s like a superpower for grown-ups!
Now, when we have medicine, we need to keep it safe and take it in the right way. Wegovy comes in a pen with a special liquid inside, and we need to put it in the fridge to keep it from getting too hot or too cold. But don’t worry, it’s easy!
When we take Wegovy, we need to follow some simple rules:
1. Keep it in the fridge at a special temperature (around 40°F or 4°C).
2. Don’t keep it out of the fridge for more than 28 days.
3. Don’t let it freeze or get too hot (over 86°F or 30°C).
4. Don’t leave it in the sun or near a light.
5. Don’t remove the cap until you’re ready to take it.
Some people might wonder if they can take Wegovy when it’s cold. The answer is yes, but we should let it come to room temperature if it makes us feel uncomfortable. It’s like taking a drink from the fridge – it might be chilly, but we can let it sit a bit before drinking it!
Now, when we’re traveling, we need to be extra careful. We can keep Wegovy in an insulated bag or a special case to keep it at the right temperature. Just remember not to put it near ice packs or in really hot places! And if we’re flying, we should put it in our carry-on luggage so it doesn’t get too cold or too warm.
Last thing, little friend! Every Wegovy pen has an expiration date on it, which means we should use it before that date or it won’t work as well. It’s like a special kind of time limit!
That’s it! So, what did we learn about Wegovy? We learned that it’s a special medicine for grown-ups who need help losing weight, and we need to keep it in the fridge and follow some simple rules to take it correctly. How cool is that?
Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?
Yes, Wegovy needs to be refrigerated. It should be stored in a refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) before it is first used.
Can Wegovy be stored at room temperature?
Wegovy can be kept at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for a period of 28 days. After this period, any unused medication should be discarded if it has been kept out of the refrigerator.
What should I do if I accidentally freeze Wegovy?
If Wegovy has been frozen, it should not be used. Dispose of the frozen medication properly and obtain a new dose.
How long can Wegovy be used after it is removed from refrigeration?
Once Wegovy has been removed from the refrigerator, it can be used within 28 days if stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C).
Is it okay to travel with Wegovy?
Yes, you can travel with Wegovy. Ensure it remains refrigerated or at room temperature for no longer than 28 days. Use an insulated bag with ice packs if needed to maintain the appropriate temperature.
What is the best way to dispose of unused Wegovy?
Unused Wegovy should be disposed of according to local regulations for medication disposal. Usually, this involves taking it to a pharmacy take-back program or following specific disposal instructions provided with the medication packaging.
Can I keep Wegovy in a car on a hot day?
No, it is not advisable to keep Wegovy in a car on a hot day as temperatures can exceed the recommended storage conditions, leading to reduced effectiveness or spoilage of the medication.
