Where to Inject Ozempic Pen: Stomach, Thigh or Upper Arm

Where do you inject Ozempic? Inject Ozempic under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach, thigh or upper arm, once a week. On the stomach, stay at least 5 cm (2 inches) from your belly button. No site works better than the others, so choose the one you find easiest and use a different spot each week.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Chorphut Lorchutnopphakhun (Dr. Neem), HealthDeliver Clinic, Bangkok. Last reviewed 24 October 2026.

Key takeaways

• Inject Ozempic under the skin of your stomach, thigh or upper arm.
• On the stomach, keep at least 5 cm (2 inches) away from the belly button.
• On the thigh, use the front or outer side of the upper thigh. On the arm, use the back or outer side of the upper arm.
• All three sites work equally well. Use a different spot every week.
• After the dose counter shows 0, keep the needle in and slowly count to 6.

The 3 Ozempic injection sites

1. Stomach (abdomen)

The stomach is the easiest site for most people to reach and see. Inject anywhere on the front of the stomach that is at least 5 cm (2 inches) from your belly button. Avoid scars, stretch marks, bruises and any skin that is tender, hard or red.

2. Thigh

Use the front or outer side of your upper thigh, roughly a hand’s width below the groin and a hand’s width above the knee. The thigh is a good choice if you want to keep the stomach for other weeks of your rotation.

3. Upper arm

Use the back or outer side of your upper arm, where there is a little fat under the skin. It can be awkward to reach on your own, so many people ask a partner or a nurse to help with this site.

Is it better to inject Ozempic in the stomach, thigh or arm?

Neither is better. Ozempic works the same whether you inject it in the stomach, thigh or upper arm, so there is no “most effective” site. Pick the area you find easiest and most comfortable, and keep changing the exact spot each week.

How to rotate Ozempic injection sites

Using exactly the same spot every week can cause lumps under the skin, redness or soreness, and medicine may absorb less evenly from a lumpy area. You can stay in the same area, but move to a new spot at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the last one. A simple four-week pattern:

1. Week 1: left side of the stomach
2. Week 2: right side of the stomach
3. Week 3: left thigh
4. Week 4: right thigh

How to inject Ozempic: step by step

1. Wash your hands. Check the pen label and dose, and that the medicine is clear and colourless.
2. With a new pen only, do a flow check: select the flow check symbol and press the button until you see a drop at the needle tip.
3. Attach a new needle for every injection.
4. Turn the dose selector to your prescribed dose.
5. Clean the skin, then insert the needle straight in (at 90 degrees).
6. Press and hold the dose button until the counter shows 0. Keep the needle in and slowly count to 6, so the full dose goes in.
7. Remove the needle, put it in a sharps container and put the pen cap back on.

Always follow the instructions that come with your pen and the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Common Ozempic injection mistakes

Bruising, lumps or redness after an Ozempic injection

Mild redness, itching or a small bruise is common and usually settles within a few days. A cool compress can help. Do not inject into a lump or bruise until it has gone, and use another site in the meantime.

See a doctor if the redness spreads, the area becomes hot, swollen or painful, there is pus, you develop a fever, or a lump does not go away after a few weeks.