Where to inject semaglutide: just under the skin of your stomach, your thigh or your upper arm. Tirzepatide uses the same three areas. All three work, and the one rule that matters is to choose a different spot each time.
This article is general information, not a dose recommendation or medical advice. Your prescribing provider sets your dose and shows you how to inject.
Where can you inject semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Both medicines are given as a shot under the skin, called a subcutaneous injection. The U.S. National Library of Medicine's semaglutide drug information says to inject in your upper arm, thigh or stomach area. Its tirzepatide page says the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Same three places.
Tap a site below to see exactly where on the body it is, based on the patient instructions for the FDA-approved semaglutide injection, Wegovy.
Injection sites at a glance
Tap a site to see where it is and what to keep in mind.
General information from the Wegovy patient instructions. Your clinic will show you how to inject before you start.
Is one injection site better than another?
No site has been shown to be the best. The Wegovy label says similar amounts of semaglutide reach the blood whether it is injected in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. It also says the injection site can be changed without changing the dose.
That means you can choose on comfort and convenience. If one area is hard to reach or sore, use another. The dose stays the same, and your provider decides the dose, not the site.
How do I rotate my injection site?
Use a different spot for every injection. MedlinePlus says this for semaglutide ("Use a different site for each injection") and for tirzepatide ("Rotate injection sites with each dose"). The Wegovy patient instructions add that you may inject in the same body area each week, as long as it is not the same exact spot each time.
Because the shot is weekly, it is easy to lose track. A simple habit is to write the area and side in your phone after each dose, for example "left thigh". Next week, pick a spot a little way from it, or switch to another area. Your clinic can suggest a pattern that suits you.
Where should you not inject?
The Wegovy patient instructions list these places to skip:
- Skin that is tender, bruised, red or hard.
- Scars and stretch marks.
- Within 2 inches of your belly button.
- A muscle or a vein. The injection goes just under the skin.
For tirzepatide, MedlinePlus adds a note for people who also use insulin: you may inject in the same area, but not right next to each other, and never mix the two in one injection.
Is it different with a vial and syringe?
The sites are the same. The clinic's compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide come in multi-dose vials, and you draw each dose into a syringe. The clinic shows you how before you start, and its own semaglutide guidance is the same three areas with a different spot each week.
The one extra step with a vial is measuring. Units on the syringe depend on the strength of the vial, so check your label before every dose. The semaglutide dosing chart in units and the tirzepatide units guide show how the numbers work, and the GLP-1 vial calculator does the sum for you. The FDA has said it received reports of adverse events that may be linked to dosing errors with compounded semaglutide, so it is worth asking if anything on the label is unclear.
Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved, so the sources above describe the approved products. Follow the instructions your clinic gives you for your own vial.
What if the injection site bleeds or the injection is hard?
If a little blood appears, the Wegovy patient instructions say to press the site lightly with a gauze pad or cotton ball. If injecting is giving you trouble, they suggest a firmer site such as the upper leg or upper arm, or standing up while injecting into the lower stomach.
The clinic's GLP-1 injections page lists localized redness at the injection site as a possible side effect. If a spot stays red, hard or painful, or you are not sure about a reaction, contact the clinic rather than waiting. The titration and side effects guide covers what to expect as your dose changes.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to inject semaglutide?
There is no single best place. Semaglutide can be injected under the skin of the stomach, thigh or upper arm, and the Wegovy label says the injection site can be changed without changing the dose. Choose the area that is most comfortable for you.
Can I inject semaglutide in my thigh?
Yes. The front of the thigh is one of the three sites in the Wegovy patient instructions, along with the lower stomach and the upper arm.
Can I inject semaglutide in my arm?
Yes. The upper arm is one of the three approved sites. If you find it hard to reach, use the thigh or stomach instead.
How far from my belly button should I inject?
The Wegovy patient instructions say to keep 2 inches away from your belly button when injecting in the lower stomach.
Do I have to rotate my injection site?
Yes. MedlinePlus says to use a different site for each injection. You can stay in the same body area from week to week, as long as it is not the exact same spot.
Where do I inject compounded semaglutide?
In the same three areas: stomach, thigh or upper arm, with a different spot each week. The clinic shows you how before you start. Always follow the instructions that come with your vial.
Can I inject tirzepatide in the same places?
Yes. MedlinePlus lists the abdomen, thigh or upper arm for tirzepatide and says to rotate sites with each dose.
Can I inject near where I take insulin?
MedlinePlus says you may inject tirzepatide in the same area as insulin, but not right next to each other, and you should never mix them in one injection. Ask your provider if you use both.
More from this guide series
Next step
To find out whether semaglutide or tirzepatide is right for you, start the free intake form. The clinic will contact you to schedule an appointment, and your prescribing provider will set your dose and show you how to inject.