How to Store an Ozempic Pen, Inject It, and Throw It Away Safely
Unused Wegovy pens stay in the fridge at 36 °F to 46 °F and can sit out at 46 °F to 86 °F for up to 28 days before the cap comes off. Ozempic storage limits are in section 16 of its prescribing information. Inject once weekly into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, and throw used pens in a sharps container.
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Wegovy pens belong in the refrigerator at 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C) until you are ready to use them, and they can be kept out of the fridge at 46 °F to 86 °F for up to 28 days — as long as the pen cap has not been removed and the pen stays in its original carton [3][4]. If a Wegovy pen has been frozen, throw it away [3]. For Ozempic, the storage temperatures and in-use time limits are printed in section 16 (How Supplied/Storage and Handling) of the Ozempic prescribing information; those specific figures are not reproduced in the label excerpt used here, so check the prescribing information or the Medication Guide, or ask your pharmacist, rather than applying Wegovy’s 28-day rule to Ozempic [1].
Both medicines are injected once weekly under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm [1][2]. Used pens go into an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container — never household trash or recycling [3]. The sections below walk through each step, including how to spot counterfeit Ozempic and what to do about a missed dose.
Which pen am I actually holding?
Storage and use rules differ by device, so it helps to know which one you have. Ozempic comes in single-patient-use pens that hold more than one dose, and also as single-dose prefilled syringes [1].
| Ozempic pen | Concentration | Doses it delivers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mg/3 mL | 0.68 mg/mL | 4 doses of 0.25 mg plus 2 doses of 0.5 mg, or 4 doses of 0.5 mg |
| 4 mg/3 mL | 1.34 mg/mL | 4 doses of 1 mg |
| 8 mg/3 mL | 2.68 mg/mL | 4 doses of 2 mg |
Ozempic is also supplied as a single-dose prefilled syringe containing 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 1 mg per 0.5 mL [1].
The standard Wegovy pen is a single-dose pen: prefilled, preset to one dose, with a hidden needle, and for one use only [3][4]. A carton contains 4 pens, all the same dose, and you use 1 pen each week [3]. Wegovy single-dose pens come in 0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 0.5 mg/0.5 mL, 1 mg/0.5 mL, 1.7 mg/0.75 mL, 2.4 mg/0.75 mL, and 7.2 mg/0.75 mL (Wegovy HD) [2][6]. There is also a single-dose syringe in the 0.25 mg through 2.4 mg strengths, a Wegovy FlexTouch single-patient-use pen holding 9.6 mg/3 mL (3.2 mg/mL) that delivers four 2.4 mg/0.75 mL doses, and Wegovy tablets in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg [2][6].
The Ozempic prescribing information is dated 05/2026, and the Wegovy prescribing information is dated 06/2026 (DailyMed shows the Wegovy label updated June 18, 2026) [1][2][6].
How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?
Unused Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator between 36 °F and 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C) [4]. If you need to, you can keep a pen at room temperature — between 46 °F and 86 °F — for up to 28 days [3][4]. Two conditions apply: the room-temperature allowance covers the time before the pen cap is removed, and the pen should be kept in its original carton to protect it from light [3][4].
If a Wegovy pen has been frozen at any point, discard it — do not use it [3]. You may let a pen sit out to reach room temperature before injecting, but keep the cap on while it warms up [3].
Where do I find Ozempic’s storage and refrigeration rules?
The answer is in section 16, How Supplied/Storage and Handling, of the Ozempic prescribing information at novo-pi.com/ozempic.pdf [1]. That section is listed in the label’s table of contents, but the specific Ozempic storage temperatures and in-use day counts are not included in the label excerpt used for this page, so they are not restated here [1].
What can be said clearly: Wegovy’s 28-day out-of-fridge limit is a Wegovy figure. No Ozempic equivalent appears in these sources, so do not assume the same rule applies to an Ozempic pen [3][4]. Read section 16 of the Ozempic prescribing information or the Medication Guide, or ask your pharmacist, for the exact Ozempic limits [1].
How do I inject a Wegovy pen step by step?
The manufacturer’s pen guide breaks the weekly injection into five steps [3].
1. Prepare. Gather your supplies in one place: the Wegovy pen, 1 alcohol swab or soap and water, 1 gauze pad or cotton ball, and a sharps container for the used pen. Wash your hands first. Then check the pen. Do not use it if it appears to have been used, if any part looks broken, if the medicine through the pen window is not clear and colorless (air bubbles are normal), or if the expiration date has passed [3].
2. Prepare the injection site. Choose where you will inject — the approved areas are detailed in a later section — then clean that spot with an alcohol swab or soap and water, do not touch it after cleaning, and let the skin dry before injecting [3].
3. Remove the pen cap. Pull the cap straight off. The needle is hidden inside, so you never see or handle it — but it is there, so do not push down on the needle cover, or you risk a needlestick [3].
4. Inject. Push the pen firmly against your skin and keep applying pressure the whole time. The injection has started when you hear the first click and the yellow bar in the pen window starts moving; if you do not see it moving, press more firmly. You will hear 2 clicks during the injection. The second click means the injection is still ongoing, so keep pressing until the yellow bar stops moving. The whole injection takes about 5–10 seconds [3].
When it is complete, the yellow bar will not fill the entire window — that is normal. Only after the bar stops moving should you slowly lift the pen away [3].
5. Throw the pen away safely. See the disposal section below [3].
If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball [3].
What if medicine leaks or the injection does not seem to work?
If you lift the pen too early or do not press it firmly against your skin for the entire injection, medicine may appear on the skin or squirt from the needle, and you may not get your full dose [3]. The manufacturer’s video offers two fixes for difficult injections: switch to a firmer site such as the upper leg or upper arm, or stand up while injecting into the lower stomach [3].
If you have a problem with a pen, keep the pen and all its packaging until you have spoken with the manufacturer’s customer care team — a discarded pen may limit the company’s ability to evaluate the issue or offer a replacement [3].
Where exactly can I inject, and can I use the same spot each week?
The approved route for both Ozempic and Wegovy is a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm [1][2]. The Wegovy pen guide gives more detail: the front of the thigh (upper leg), the lower stomach keeping 2 inches away from your belly button, or the upper arm — and the guide says to make sure you can clearly see the pen window while injecting [3].
Avoid skin that is tender, bruised, red, or hard, and avoid areas with scars or stretch marks [3]. You may inject in the same body area each week, but not in the exact same spot every time [3].
What happens if I miss a weekly dose?
The two drugs have different rules. For Ozempic, if a dose is missed, administer it within 5 days of the missed dose [1].
For Wegovy injection, the manufacturer’s consumer guidance says: if there are more than 2 days until your next scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember; if there is less than 2 days until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one on the regularly scheduled day; and if you miss doses for 2 or more weeks, take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day or call your healthcare professional to talk about how to restart treatment [4]. The Wegovy prescribing information has a dedicated section 2.4 on missed doses [2].
For context on timing: Ozempic is taken once weekly at any time of day, with or without meals, starting at 0.25 mg weekly and increasing to 0.5 mg after 4 weeks, with further increases to 1 mg and then 2 mg only after at least 4 weeks at each step [1]. Wegovy injection is also once weekly on the same day each week, starting at 0.25 mg for 4 weeks and titrating every 4 weeks, with a usual maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly [2][6]. The manufacturer’s consumer FAQ also discusses a 7.2 mg Wegovy HD option for adults who have been on the 2.4 mg dose for at least 4 weeks [4]. Dose decisions belong to your prescriber.
How can I tell if my Ozempic pen is fake?
The FDA’s counterfeit Ozempic alert page carries three dated updates: December 5, 2025; April 14, 2025; and December 21, 2023 [5].
| Update date | Lot / identifier | What FDA reported |
|---|---|---|
| December 5, 2025 | Lot PAR1229 (an authentic lot number) | Dozens of units seized; on the counterfeit pen, the EXP/LOT text sits to the left of the expiration date and lot number — on an authentic pen it sits above them |
| April 14, 2025 | Lot PAR0362, serial number starting 51746517 | Several hundred units; FDA notified April 3, 2025, seized April 9, 2025 |
| December 21, 2023 | Lot NAR0074, serial 430834149057 | Thousands of units seized; the needles were also counterfeit, so sterility could not be confirmed; the pen label, carton, and patient information were counterfeit too |
In the December 2025 case, patients who received lot PAR1229 through the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program may keep using it, because that product is authentic [5]. FDA was notified by Novo Nordisk on November 18, 2025, and is aware of six adverse event reports tied to that lot, none of which appear linked to the counterfeit product [5]. In the 2023 case, FDA noted five non-serious adverse events [5].
These label details are not a complete authentication method, and a lot number that looks right does not by itself prove a pen is genuine. FDA advises patients to obtain Ozempic only with a valid prescription through state-licensed pharmacies and to check the product for signs of counterfeiting before use [5]. Novo Nordisk customer care takes lot and authenticity questions at 1-800-727-6500, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET [5]. Suspected counterfeits or adverse events can be reported to FDA MedWatch online or by faxing the form to 1-800-FDA-0178 [5].
Compounded or “knockoff” semaglutide is a separate issue: it has not been approved by the FDA and has not been proven safe or effective, and Novo Nordisk is the only company in the United States with FDA-approved medicines containing semaglutide [4].
How do I dispose of used pens and needles?
Do not throw a used pen in household trash or a recycling bin [3]. Use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a heavy-duty plastic container, marked to show there is hazardous waste inside [3]. (The manufacturer’s page uses both “FDA-cleared” and “FDA-approved” for sharps containers; “FDA-cleared” is the term used in the disposal instructions [3].)
Novo Nordisk offers a complimentary sharps disposal container through its safe disposal page at novocare.com [3]. How you get rid of the full container follows your local guidelines; drop-off locations can be found at safeneedledisposal.org or by contacting your local municipality [3].
Can two people in one household share a pen?
No. The Ozempic prescribing information carries a warning titled “Never Share an OZEMPIC Pen Between Patients” — never share an Ozempic pen between patients, even if the needle is changed [1]. The Wegovy prescribing information added a parallel warning in 06/2026: never share a Wegovy FlexTouch pen between patients, even if the needle is changed [2][6]. Zepbound, the tirzepatide product, carries the same kind of warning (5.10, added 01/2026) for its KwikPen [7].
Who do I call if something goes wrong with a pen?
Keep the pen and all packaging, then call [3]. For Wegovy, the support line is 1-833-934-6891 (also written as 1-833-4-WEGOVY) [3]. Suspected adverse events can be reported to Novo Nordisk at 1-833-934-6891 for Wegovy or 1-888-693-6742 for Ozempic, or to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 [1][2].
What if I take Zepbound (tirzepatide) instead?
Zepbound is a different drug, and Wegovy’s storage rules do not transfer to it. Zepbound comes as a single-dose pen or single-dose vial in 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL, and as a multi-dose vial or single-patient-use KwikPen — for example, 10 mg/2.4 mL for four 2.5 mg/0.6 mL doses, up to 60 mg/2.4 mL for four 15 mg/0.6 mL doses [7]. Dosing starts at 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks and increases in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks, with a maximum of 15 mg weekly [7]. Zepbound storage day limits are not included in the label excerpt used here, so check the Zepbound prescribing information rather than assuming a 21-day or 30-day figure [7].
Sources
- Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection prescribing information.
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) injection prescribing information.
- Wegovy.com. Wegovy pen guide and dosing information.
- Wegovy.com. FAQs about Wegovy (semaglutide).
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns consumers not to use counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) found in U.S. drug supply chain.
- National Library of Medicine DailyMed. Wegovy (semaglutide) injection, solution and semaglutide tablet drug label.
- National Library of Medicine DailyMed. Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection, solution drug label.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a Wegovy pen stay out of the refrigerator?
Up to 28 days at room temperature between 46 °F and 86 °F, provided the pen cap has not been removed and the pen stays in its original carton to protect it from light. Otherwise, unused Wegovy pens belong in the fridge at 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C).
Can I still use a pen that was left out overnight or that froze?
The documented room-temperature allowance for Wegovy is 46 °F to 86 °F for up to 28 days with the cap on. If a pen has been outside that range and you are unsure whether it is still usable, ask your prescriber or pharmacist. A pen that has been frozen must be thrown away.
Does the pen need to warm up before injecting?
No, it is optional. The manufacturer says you may let a Wegovy pen sit out to reach room temperature before using it, and that the cap stays on during that time. Ozempic storage and handling limits are in section 16 of its prescribing information.
What if I only hear two clicks and stop — did I get my full dose?
The second click means the injection is still in progress, not that it is finished. Keep pressing the pen firmly against your skin until the yellow bar stops moving; the injection takes about 5–10 seconds. The manufacturer notes that lifting the pen too early may mean the full dose is not delivered.
Where exactly can I inject, and can I use the same spot each week?
Approved sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. For Wegovy, the guide says to keep 2 inches away from the belly button and to make sure you can see the pen window. You may use the same body area each week, but not the exact same spot, and avoid tender, bruised, red, or hard skin.
How do I throw away a used pen if I don't have a sharps container?
Never use household trash or recycling. Use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, or a sturdy household container with a tight-fitting lid, such as heavy-duty plastic, marked as containing hazardous waste. Novo Nordisk offers a complimentary sharps container, and drop-off sites are listed at safeneedledisposal.org.
What happens if I miss my weekly dose?
For Ozempic, take the missed dose within 5 days. For Wegovy, take it as soon as you remember if more than 2 days remain before your next dose; if less than 2 days remain, skip it. After 2 or more missed weeks, take the next dose on schedule or call your prescriber.
Can two people in a household share one pen?
No. The Ozempic label warns never to share an Ozempic pen between patients, even if the needle is changed, and the Wegovy label added the same warning for FlexTouch pens in 06/2026. Zepbound's label carries a parallel warning for its KwikPen.
This article summarizes FDA labeling, published research and company information current as of September 14, 2026. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your own healthcare provider. How we research and verify.