Priming Your Wegovy or Mounjaro Pen

If you're using a weight loss injection like Wegovy or Mounjaro, you may have heard about 'priming' your pen. But do you need to do it every time?

The answer is no. You only need to prime the pen the first time you use it, not before every injection.

Priming ensures the medication is flowing correctly through the needle before your first dose. For all subsequent weekly injections from the same pen, priming is not necessary.

Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Charlotte Norton explains the full process in her video and we highly recommend watching it if you're feeling unsure.

How To Prime Wegovy and Mounjaro Pens

You only need to prime your pen the first time you use it, not every week. Priming simply means checking that the liquid is flowing properly before injecting. Here’s how:

1. Attach a fresh needle.
2. Turn the dose selector slightly.
3. Press the button on the end of the pen.
4. Look for a droplet or small jet of medication at the needle tip.

If you don’t see it on the first try, don’t worry, you may need to prime it two or three times. There’s enough extra medication in the pen to allow for this.

Once primed, the pen is ready. You’ll inject the medication into the subcutaneous fat layer (just under the skin), typically in the abdomen or thigh. If you’re new to weight loss injections, using a pen might seem a little daunting, but it’s far easier than most people expect. If you’re nervous about injecting yourself, rest assured: these pens are designed to be easy to use, with a needle so fine it’s barely thicker than a hair. Many patients find it painless, and after a few weeks, it becomes second nature.

If you’re unsure, you can always ask a partner or a member of your household to assist the first time. Or book an appointment with one of our team to show you exactly how to do it. You can also find instructions here: How to Take Mounjaro, How to Take Wegovy.

Remember to always attach a fresh needle for each injection and dispose of it safely in a sharps bin.

Find out more about Mounjaro, Wegovy, and dosage information here:

Weight Loss Injection Dosages | Mounjaro Dosages  | Wegovy Dosages | What Is Mounjaro | How To Use Mounjaro | What Is Wegovy | How To Use Wegovy | Maintenance Dose | Increasing Doses | Golden Dose | Missed Doses | Injected Too Much