How to Store Wegovy® Pens and Pills

Are you storing your Wegovy® medication the right way? The answer depends on the type of Wegovy® you’re taking for weight management: a Wegovy® pen or a Wegovy® pill. Both types have specific storage requirements to make sure your treatment is safe to take. 

A good rule of thumb is refrigeration for pens and a cool, dark space for pills. This guide breaks down the differences, why they're important, and how to make sure you’re prepared for storage at home versus storage when travelling.

Do Wegovy® pens need to be kept in the Fridge?

Yes. If it's just been delivered and you're not going to use it right away, store it in the fridge until first use. However, Wegovy® pens that are in use can either be stored in the fridge or at room temperature (below 30°C).

Before first use

Once your Wegovy® has been delivered and you’ve checked everything is as it should be, place it in your fridge until it’s time to use it. The middle shelf in the centre of the fridge is the perfect location, but make sure to follow these simple rules for safe refrigerated storage:

1. Keep the pen in its original packaging and box, rather than loose.

2. The refrigerated temperature range is 2 to 8℃; otherwise, the medication may freeze and become unusable.

3. Keep it away from the cooling element, ice compartments and any moisture prone areas.

Can it be stored at room temperature?

Usually, your Wegovy® pen should always be placed in the fridge once it’s been delivered and before first use. But, it can be stored at room temperature (under 30℃) for up to 28 days before first use, if needed. Just remember to follow these simple rules for room temperature storage.

1. Keep the pen in its original packaging and box, rather than loose.

2. It should be stored under 30°C in a cool, dark area away from direct sunlight, such as a cupboard.

3. Keep it out of reach of children and vulnerable adults, or pets.

Once you’ve started using your pen

Once you've taken your first injection using a new Wegovy® pen, what happens next depends on which pen you have.

• 4-dose Wegovy® FlexTouch® pen (doses 0.25mg to 2.4mg): You can store it in the fridge, or at room temperature (under 30°C), for up to 42 days after your first injection. Once you've chosen room temperature, keep it there rather than moving it back into the fridge.

• 7.2mg dose single-use Wegovy® HD pen: This only contains one complete dose, so once you've used it, discard it straight away, there's no storage window for an opened HD pen.

Remember to always check the pen expiry date. Don’t use it if it’s expired.

If it’s been frozen or overheated

If you think your Wegovy® pen has been mistakenly frozen, overheated, or exposed to direct sunlight, don’t use it. Always double check that the pen hasn’t expired and that the liquid is clear and colourless. You can do this by looking in the pen window.  If the liquid looks frozen, cloudy, or has particles in it (not air bubbles) then it’s not safe to use and it should be discarded. 

For more information on Wegovy® shelf life after opening, read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your pen – FlexTouch® pen (0.25mg to 2.4mg) or HD pen (7.2mg)

Storing the Wegovy® Pill

The Wegovy® pill has no special refrigeration requirements when it comes to storing at home. But there are some handy-to-know tips when it comes to choosing a safe home for your medication. 

1. Store in a cool, dark place and always keep them in the original blister packaging or bottle. These are designed to keep the pills dry, safe and free from cross-contamination. 

2. The original packaging may contain a desiccant packet to help with moisture, and the packaging will always display the expiry date alongside the patient information leaflet.

3. Keep them away from direct light and moisture, which includes areas in kitchens or bathrooms where moist steam from showers or kettles can form. Any moisture or condensation could affect how the pills work.

And remember to keep them out of sight and reach of children, vulnerable adults, or pets.

Travelling with Wegovy® Injections and Pills

Make travelling with Wegovy® stress-free by following our top travel tips. Depending on which type of Wegovy® you’re using, there are some differences, but the main thing is to keep your medication safe for the length of your travels. 

And for both types, keep them in your hand luggage, in their original packaging and with a printed copy of your prescription. This reduces accidental loss, damage or customs queries.

Wegovy® pens

Travelling with your Wegovy® pen means a little forward planning. The most important thing is to make sure your pens stay at the correct temperature during and after travel. For new pens, you can use an insulated carry-case with a gel pack that you keep on your person at all times. This will maintain the refrigeration temperature range. Don’t use ice packs as this could result in freezing the medication. 

If you’ve been storing your pens at room temperature, plan ahead for any temperature fluctuations that might occur on your travels. Airports, planes and trains can get surprisingly hot, and if you’re travelling to a warm country, the temperature might easily exceed 30℃.

Wegovy® pills

Travelling with Wegovy® pills can be much simpler, because there aren’t any direct temperature requirements. But you should make sure to travel with them in your hand luggage, in their original packaging, away from liquids or cold bottles, and with a printed copy of your prescription. 

Because the Wegovy® pill is taken daily, make sure to have enough for the length of your travels and then some extra in case of unexpected delays in coming home. 

What to Do if Something’s Gone Wrong

Life happens and things might not always go to plan. These mishaps are more common than you'd think; you're not the first person to panic about a fridge going warm overnight. If you're ever unsure, you can message a Hers clinician through your Hers App.

How to Dispose Of Wegovy® Pens and Wegovy® Pills Safely

You might be wondering what's the best way to safely dispose of your used Wegovy® pens and pills. There are a few options that you can choose from, but whichever you choose, it's important to never put used needles into your household waste bins, and never flush pills or pour them away. 

Wegovy® FlexTouch® pen

1. After each injection, remove the needle as instructed, and put it in your sharps bin.

Once you’ve taken all 4 doses, the used pen (with the needle removed) can go into your household waste, or recycled through the Novo Nordisk PenCycle® scheme.

Wegovy® HD single-use pen

1. Discard the entire pen immediately after use.

2. Place the entire pen (with needle attached) into your sharps bin. 

3. Don’t put the pen into your household waste or recycling.

Most UK pharmacies also offer a sharps disposal service for your used needles, but check with your local pharmacy before you take in your sharps bin

Wegovy® pills

Don't flush unused or expired pills, and don't put them in your household bin. Take them to any pharmacy, they'll dispose of them safely on your behalf, free of charge.

FAQs

Is it safe to use a Wegovy® pen that's gone slightly cloudy?

No. A Wegovy® pen should not be used if the liquid doesn't look clear and colourless. If the solution appears cloudy, coloured or contains particles, don't use the pen.

If your pen arrived this way or became cloudy despite being stored correctly, contact the Hers customer service team for advice about a replacement.

Is it safe to inject Wegovy® cold?

Yes. You can inject Wegovy® straight from the fridge while it's still cold. You don't need to let it warm to room temperature first.

If you find cold injections uncomfortable, you can take the pen out of the fridge before your injection and allow it to reach room temperature naturally, as long as it stays below 30°C and is protected from light. Never heat the pen or use a microwave, hot water or other heat source to warm it.

Can you leave a Wegovy® pen out of the fridge and still use it?

Yes, but the time limit depends on whether it's been used yet. An unopened pen can be kept below 30°C for up to 28 days before its first use. Once you've had your first injection from a FlexTouch® pen, it can then be kept below 30°C for up to 42 days (6 weeks). 

Keep the pen in its original packaging to protect it from light, and never freeze it. If the pen has been exposed to temperatures outside the permitted storage conditions, contact your pharmacist or clinician before using it.

Where should I keep Wegovy® in the fridge?

Wegovy® needs to be kept away from the cooling element, the back wall, and out of the freezer or ice compartment, since these spots can freeze the medication even if the fridge overall reads below 8°C. Anywhere else in the fridge is fine, as long as the whole fridge stays below 8°C. It's also best to try and keep your Wegovy® dry, so don't put it somewhere it might get dripped on.

Can an unused Wegovy® pen make you sick if it hasn't been refrigerated?

Not necessarily. An unopened Wegovy® pen can be stored below 30°C for up to 28 days, so it does not have to remain refrigerated during this period. Keep it in its original carton to protect it from light. If it has been exposed to temperatures above 30°C, frozen, or out of the fridge for more than 28 days, don't use it.

If the liquid inside the pen isn't clear and colourless, don't use it, even if the pen has otherwise been stored correctly.

Can I take Wegovy® through airport security?

Yes. Wegovy® can be carried in your hand luggage. Keeping medication in your hand luggage is generally recommended in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed. UK airport guidance allows essential medicines in hand luggage, including medicines that would otherwise be subject to liquid restrictions*.

Keep your Wegovy® in its original packaging and consider carrying a prescription or letter from your Hers clinician, particularly if you're travelling with injection pens and needles. You may need to show medication or declare it at security. 

Check the rules for your departure airport, airline and destination country before travelling, as requirements can vary between countries and airports.

*GOV.UK. Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: Medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements.