Key takeaways
- Common sites are the stomach area, the front of the thighs and the back of the upper arms. Follow the leaflet for your medicine.
- Use a different spot each time. You can stay in the same area, but move a few centimetres away.
- Avoid skin that is tender, bruised, scarred or hard.
- A simple six-spot rotation means each spot rests for weeks between weekly injections.
Where you can inject
Most GLP-1 pens are injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) in the stomach area, keeping away from the belly button, the front of the thighs or the back of the upper arms. The arm is often easier if someone helps you. Always follow the Instructions for Use for your own medicine.
Why rotation matters
Injecting into exactly the same spot again and again can cause lumps or thickened skin, which can be uncomfortable. Moving to a new spot each time gives your skin time to recover. The US labels for GLP-1 pens advise changing your injection site with each injection.
A simple weekly routine
| Week | Site | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stomach, left side | Keep away from the belly button |
| 2 | Stomach, right side | Move a few centimetres from last time |
| 3 | Left thigh, front | Middle of the front of the thigh |
| 4 | Right thigh, front | Same height as week 3 |
| 5 | Left upper arm, back | Ask someone to help if it’s easier |
| 6 | Right upper arm, back | Then start again at week 1 |
If you inject daily
With daily injections, such as Saxenda®, rotation matters even more. Move a few centimetres within one area each day and switch areas every week or so.
Good habits
- Use a new needle for every injection and dispose of it in a sharps container.
- Check your skin before injecting; skip any spot that’s red, sore or bruised.
- Keep a note of where you injected so you don’t have to remember.
Panda’s injection-site tracker shows a body map, remembers your last sites and suggests the next one.
Sources
- US FDA prescribing information and Instructions for Use for GLP-1 pens (via DailyMed)
- NHS: Semaglutide medicine guide (how to use)
This guide is general information, not medical advice, and doesn’t replace a conversation with your prescriber, pharmacist or doctor. Panda never suggests, calculates or changes a dose.
