GlidedoseInjection site rotation for weekly GLP-1 pens
Using a different spot each week helps avoid sore, lumpy or irritated skin. The hard part is remembering where you went last time. Here is a simple six-week cycle.
A six-zone rotation
| Week | Zone | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Abdomen, left side | At least 5 cm (2 in) away from the belly button |
| Week 2 | Abdomen, right side | |
| Week 3 | Thigh, left (front) | Upper outer front area |
| Week 4 | Thigh, right (front) | |
| Week 5 | Upper arm, left (back) | Often easier with help |
| Week 6 | Upper arm, right (back) | Then start again at week 1 |
Within each zone, move a few centimetres from the last spot you used in that zone. If one area is tender or bruised, skip it and use the next zone.
Why rotate?
Repeated injections into the exact same spot can cause lipohypertrophy: a lump of fatty tissue under the skin. Patient leaflets for GLP-1 pens ask you to change the injection spot each time, and pharmacists recommend a written or app-based record so you don't have to rely on memory.
Good habits that help
- Inject on the same day each week, as your prescriber instructed, and log it right away.
- Avoid skin that is bruised, scarred, tender or irritated.
- Use a new needle each time if your pen requires one, and dispose of it in a sharps container.
- Follow the step-by-step instructions in your pen's leaflet; pens differ.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Your pharmacist can show you how to use your pen and where to inject.
Frequently asked questions
Where can GLP-1 pens be injected?
Product leaflets for weekly GLP-1 pens such as semaglutide and tirzepatide list the stomach area (abdomen), the front of the thigh, and the upper arm. Check the patient information that came with your medication.
Do I need to change the spot every time?
Patient leaflets advise changing the injection spot each time. You can stay in the same body area as long as you use a different spot within it.
Does the site change how well the medication works?
For the weekly GLP-1 pens, the leaflets allow any of the three areas. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about your specific product.