Can the Wegovy pen be reused or is it single-use?

The pen is a multi-dose device containing several weekly doses at the same strength; the needle is single-use only and must be changed each injection. You don’t refill the pen, and you discard it when it’s empty or past the in-use window noted in the leaflet. Never share a pen with anyone else.

Understanding the Wegovy pen design

Wegovy (semaglutide) pens are pre-filled, multi-dose devices, meaning each contains several weekly doses of the same strength. NICE TA875, MHRA product information, and NHS England’s weight-management training materials confirm that each pen delivers a fixed dose — 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg — with enough medicine for multiple injections. Once the pen is empty or past its “in-use” period (usually six weeks after first use), it should be safely discarded, even if small amounts remain. The medicine is sterile, but after repeated handling, the risk of contamination increases, so manufacturers and regulators specify strict disposal timelines.

Why needles must be single-use

The pen itself holds several doses, but the needle is single-use only. NHS and MHRA guidance warn that reusing needles dulls the tip, damages tissue, and increases infection risk. It can also block the flow of medicine or alter injection depth, making doses less reliable. Each week, attach a new sterile needle, complete the injection, and remove it immediately afterward. Always dispose of used needles in a sharps container supplied by your pharmacy or clinic. NICE and NHS training both highlight that proper needle replacement reduces bruising, redness, and pain, and keeps the injection routine safe and hygienic.

Why the pen isn’t refillable

Unlike insulin pens that can sometimes use replaceable cartridges, Wegovy pens are not refillable. The semaglutide formulation and delivery mechanism are sealed at manufacture to ensure accuracy and sterility. MHRA and SMC technical summaries specify that the pen’s dose dial, delivery chamber, and medicine reservoir are calibrated as a single unit. Opening or attempting to refill the device risks contamination and inaccurate dosing. Once the indicator shows the pen is empty or the six-week in-use period ends, it should be disposed of according to local pharmacy guidance. Some pharmacies or NHS waste-collection programmes accept full pens in approved return containers for environmental safety.

How to know when the pen is finished

Each Wegovy pen includes an indicator window that counts down doses. When the window stops moving after pressing the button, the injection is complete. Most pens provide four weekly doses before emptying, depending on the strength. The exact number is printed on the carton and described in the leaflet. NHS pharmacists encourage users to mark their injection dates on the outer box to track how many remain. When you notice the indicator stopping early or the pen producing no click, it’s time to discard and start a new one. Do not try to extract any remaining fluid manually.

Safe handling and disposal

Proper storage and disposal protect both the user and others. Keep unopened pens refrigerated at 2–8 °C and never freeze them. After the first injection, store the pen below 30 °C and keep the cap on to shield it from light. At the end of six weeks, discard it safely, even if it still looks partly full. Used needles and empty pens should go in a sharps bin — never in household rubbish or recycling. NHS pharmacies can provide new bins and collect full ones for incineration. Following this procedure meets MHRA and environmental regulations for medical waste disposal.

Preventing cross-contamination

Sharing pens is strictly prohibited. Even if the needle is changed, microscopic residue of blood or tissue fluid may remain inside the device. NICE TA875 and MHRA safety alerts both state that sharing injectable devices can transmit infections, including hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. Each pen is prescribed for one person only. If multiple people in the same household use Wegovy, each must have clearly labelled pens and their own sharps bin. Pharmacists often recommend storing them separately to avoid mix-ups.

How NHS clinics teach correct pen use

During initiation appointments, NHS nurses or pharmacists demonstrate pen preparation and disposal. They show how to attach a new needle, check the flow, inject at 90°, and remove the needle safely afterward. MHRA training materials describe this as a key competency before self-injection begins. Clinics may schedule a follow-up to ensure confidence and correct handling, particularly for those new to injectable therapy. Proper use improves dosing accuracy and minimises anxiety, helping people establish a smooth weekly rhythm.

Environmental considerations

As more GLP-1 medicines become widely prescribed, safe disposal is an increasing priority. NHS sustainability guidelines encourage users to return used pens and sharps containers for environmentally responsible processing. The materials are typically incinerated under controlled conditions to neutralise medical waste. Some NHS regions run pilot take-back programmes for non-sharp components, but these don’t yet apply to Wegovy pens. Keeping pens capped and secure before disposal helps prevent accidental contact and protects waste workers from needle injury.

What clinicians emphasise

Clinicians consistently remind users that the pen is multi-dose but single-person, and that each needle is for one injection only. Following these steps preserves safety, sterility, and dosing accuracy. NICE, NHS, MHRA, and SMC guidance all align on this point: use the pen as packaged, never refill or share, and replace needles every time. Adhering to these habits makes the routine quick, hygienic, and reliable.

The essential point

Wegovy pens contain several doses but are not refillable or shareable. The needle is single-use only and must be replaced each week. After six weeks or once empty, the pen should be discarded in a sharps bin according to pharmacy guidance. NICE, NHS, MHRA, and SMC all agree: safe, single-person use keeps dosing consistent, prevents infection, and ensures Wegovy works exactly as intended.