Key takeaways

  • GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are injected into the fatty layer beneath the skin to manage blood sugar and aid in weight management.
  • The recommended injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm, rotating them with each dose to prevent pain, bruising, and skin thickening.
  • While there is no single best injection site, it’s important to inject correctly and consistently into one of the recommended areas for optimal results, choosing the location that is most comfortable for you.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly referred to as GLP-1s, are becoming increasingly widespread, with the most notable examples including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda. They have various indications, including managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and helping with weight management.

Most of these medications come in the form of an injection that you can give to yourself at home. Giving yourself an injection can be daunting, but knowing more about the injection sites is crucial for success.

GLP-1 medications are known as subcutaneous injections, which means they must be injected under the skin and into the fatty layer just below the surface. They can’t be injected intravenously (into a vein) or intramuscularly (into a muscle).

There are three main areas where you can inject GLP-1s:

  • the front or outer thigh
  • the back or side of the upper arm
  • the abdomen, at least 2 inches away from the belly button

These areas are ideal because of the amount of fatty tissue below the skin in these locations, and they’re easy to access when giving yourself an injection.

Healthcare professionals recommend that you rotate injection sites with every dose, avoiding injecting into the same site twice in a row. Repeatedly injecting into the same site can cause increased pain and bruising. It can also lead to skin thickening and lumps of fat tissue developing under the skin, called lipohypertrophy.

What happens if you inject too close to the belly button?

Injecting too close to the belly button is not ideal because the area around the navel has less fat under the skin. Injecting into this area can affect how well the medication is absorbed, which in turn impacts its effectiveness. It can also cause increased pain, bruising, bleeding, and the formation of hard lumps under the skin.

It’s unlikely that injecting into this area will make you seriously ill, but it’s still best to inject at least 2 inches away from the belly button.

If you do accidentally inject too close to the navel, monitor the situation for any increased pain and irritation. If you notice persistent pain or bleeding, speak with a healthcare professional.

There is no single best place to inject GLP-1s. As long as you inject it correctly into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, the drug should have the same effect. The drug doesn’t work better if you inject it in the stomach vs. into the thigh, for example.

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone that your body naturally produces when you eat. This hormone can stimulate insulin production and release blood sugar, which is how the medications are effective for people with type 2 diabetes.

High levels of the GLP-1 hormone can also reduce your appetite and increase feelings of fullness by slowing the rate at which your stomach empties, which can aid with weight management. These effects occur regardless of whether the medication is injected into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

The best place to inject GLP-1 medications is wherever is easiest and most comfortable for you. If you find injecting into your abdomen is less painful than in your arm, for example, you might find this location easier for injecting. However, make sure you still aim to rotate injection sites regularly.

The method for injecting a GLP-1 is mostly the same, regardless of whether you’re injecting into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. The main differences in injection technique depend on whether the medication comes in a pen, a syringe, or an autoinjector.

Step 1: Preparation

First of all, you need to prepare for the injection:

  • Gather your supplies, including the medication, an alcohol swab, a cotton pad, and a sharps disposal container.
  • Check that the medication is clear and colorless, and check that the expiration date hasn’t passed.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Clean the injection site with the alcohol swab.
  • Settle into a place where you feel relaxed.

Step 2: Injecting

The next step is actually injecting the medication:

  • Pinch a fold of skin at your chosen injection site to create a raised area.
  • Hold the needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin and insert it in a quick, confident motion.
  • Inject the medication.
  • If you’re using a syringe, slowly and steadily push the plunger down until the syringe is empty.
  • If you’re using a pen, press and hold the dose button down until the dose counter shows “0”. Keep the needle in place for at least 6 seconds to ensure the full dose is delivered.

Step 3: After the injection

After the injection, you can follow these steps:

  • Gently remove the needle at the same angle at which you inserted it.
  • If you see a little blood, don’t worry — this is common. You can wipe it away with a cotton pad.
  • If the injection site is feeling sore, consider using a cool compress to reduce any pain or swelling.
  • Dispose of the pen, vial, or syringe in a sharps container that follows Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.

GLP-1s are medications that you inject under the skin. Giving yourself an injection can be daunting, but knowing more about the injection sites can help you feel more confident.

There are three main sites that you can inject GLP-1s: your upper arm, thigh, or abdomen (at least 2 inches away from the belly button).

There is no single best place to inject your GLP-1 of these options — the drug will always have the same effect. The best place will be the one that is most comfortable for you that has no cuts, scars, or bruises.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.