Key takeaways

  • Immediately following each use, Wegovy pens should be disposed of in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container to prevent accidental injuries.
  • If you don’t have an official sharps container for Wegovy pens, you can buy one, get one for free from the drug’s manufacturer, or make one using a heavy-duty plastic container.
  • Full sharps containers should be disposed of according to local guidelines, which may include drop-off locations at medical facilities or special waste pickup services.

After each dose, you should immediately and properly dispose of single-dose pens for Wegovy (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Zepbound.

It’s important not to throw pens, needles, vials, or syringes into your regular garbage or recycling bins, as doing so could lead to accidental punctures and cuts to yourself, others, and animals.

Drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk offers a free sharps container for Wegovy users. The container comes with return shipping instructions so you can send it back to the manufacturer for proper disposal.

You can also purchase disposable sharps containers at your local pharmacy (including many Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS locations) or online through multiple retailers.

Quick Note: As an important safety measure, always keep Wegovy pens and sharps containers out of reach of children and pets.

If you don’t have a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved sharps disposal container, you can make your own with a household item, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle.

For it to be safe, this DIY sharps container must meet all of the following specifications:

  • It should be made of heavy-duty, leak-resistant plastic.
  • It must have a tight-fitting lid.
  • It had to be clearly marked on the outside with a warning that it contains hazardous waste and sharp objects.
  • It needs to stand upright and remain stable while in use.

Avoid discarding a sharps container in your household garbage or recycling bins. It’s also important to never overfill it, as this may increase the risk of needle injuries for you and others.

When the container is about 75% full, you may dispose of it. You’ll need to check your local health regulations, as some cities and states have laws about how and where to dispose of used needles, syringes, and medications.

You may be able to drop off sharps containers at the following places for little or no cost:

  • doctor’s office or clinic
  • local health department
  • hospitals
  • medical waste facility
  • public hazardous waste collection site
  • local pharmacy
  • police or fire station

Some communities also provide special waste pickup services that collect sharps disposal containers from your home. This service often costs money and has requirements about the types of containers it will accept.

To learn more about safely disposing of sharps in your area or to find a sharps disposal location near you, go to safeneedledisposal.org, call 800-643-1643, or email info@safeneedledisposal.org.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.