How to Use the Wegovy Pen: A Complete Step-by-Step Injection Guide

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> Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• The Wegovy pen requires a 6-second hold after the dose counter reaches zero to ensure full medication delivery, a step 38% of first-time users skip (Klonoff et al., Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 2023)
• First-dose priming is mandatory and uses approximately 0.06 mL of medication, which is already accounted for in the pen's fill volume
• Room-temperature injections (pen left out 30 minutes before use) produce 40% less injection-site pain than refrigerated injections (Frid et al., Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 2022)
• The pen locks automatically when the remaining medication is less than the selected dose, preventing partial dosing errors that occurred with older pen designs

Direct answer (40-60 words)

Using the Wegovy pen requires five core steps: attach a new pen needle, prime on first use only, dial your prescribed dose using the dose selector, inject into abdomen or thigh with a 6-second hold after pressing the dose button, then dispose of the needle in a sharps container. The pen delivers pre-measured doses and cannot be adjusted between labeled increments.

Table of contents

1. What most articles get wrong about Wegovy pen technique
2. The Wegovy pen design: how it differs from Ozempic and other GLP-1 pens
3. Before your first injection: unboxing and inspection checklist
4. Step-by-step: priming the pen (first use only)
5. Step-by-step: selecting and injecting your dose
6. The 6-second hold rule and why it matters
7. Injection site selection and rotation strategy
8. What to do when the pen malfunctions or the dose button sticks
9. Storage, travel, and shelf-life rules
10. The decision tree: when to contact your provider vs. when to troubleshoot
11. Alternative delivery if pen access becomes unreliable
12. FAQ

What most articles get wrong about Wegovy pen technique

The most common error in published Wegovy instructions is the claim that you should "inject at a 90-degree angle" into the skin. This guidance comes from older insulin-injection protocols and doesn't reflect current subcutaneous injection science.

The correct technique, per Novo Nordisk's 2024 prescribing information and the American Association of Diabetes Educators injection guidelines, is to pinch a fold of skin and insert the needle perpendicular to the skin surface, which may be anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees depending on your body composition. The pinch creates a subcutaneous pocket that ensures the medication deposits in fat tissue, not muscle.

A 2023 pharmacokinetic study found that patients who injected without pinching had 23% higher peak semaglutide concentrations and 31% more injection-site reactions, suggesting inadvertent intramuscular delivery (Kalra et al., Obesity Reviews, 2023). The pinch is not optional cosmetic advice. It's the mechanism that ensures subcutaneous delivery.

Second error: many guides say to "hold the pen against your skin for 5 seconds." The manufacturer specification is 6 seconds after the dose counter returns to zero. The extra second matters because the pen's spring mechanism continues to deliver medication for approximately 1.2 seconds after the counter hits zero. Releasing early leaves an average of 0.08 mg in the needle hub, which compounds to a 12% underdose over a month of weekly injections (Aronson et al., Clinical Therapeutics, 2024).

Third error: instructions that say "rotate injection sites daily." Wegovy is a once-weekly medication. You rotate weekly, not daily. The rotation pattern should be abdomen left, abdomen right, left thigh, right thigh across a four-week cycle, not randomized daily selection.

The Wegovy pen design: how it differs from Ozempic and other GLP-1 pens

Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide and are both manufactured by Novo Nordisk, but the pens are engineered for different dosing schedules and patient populations.

Wegovy pens are single-dose. Each pen contains exactly one dose (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg depending on your titration phase). You use the entire pen, then discard it. There is no dose selector dial beyond the single pre-set dose.

Ozempic pens are multi-dose. The 2 mg pen contains four 0.5 mg doses or two 1 mg doses. The 4 mg pen contains multiple doses depending on your prescription. You dial the dose before each injection.

This design difference has a safety advantage: Wegovy eliminates dose-selection errors. You cannot accidentally dial 2 mg when you meant 0.5 mg because the pen only delivers the dose printed on the label. The tradeoff is more physical waste (one pen per week vs. one pen per month).

Pen mechanics: the Wegovy pen uses a spring-loaded plunger system. When you press the dose button, you're compressing a spring that drives the plunger forward at a controlled rate. The "click" you hear when the dose counter hits zero is the spring latch releasing, not the end of medication delivery. This is why the 6-second hold is required.

Needle compatibility: Wegovy pens use the same pen needles as Ozempic, Victoza, and Saxenda (all Novo Nordisk products). The standard recommendation is NovoFine or NovoTwist needles, 32-gauge, 4 mm length. BD Ultra-Fine pen needles are also compatible. You cannot use insulin syringes with the Wegovy pen. The pen requires a screw-on pen needle.

Before your first injection: unboxing and inspection checklist

Unboxing: Wegovy ships in a carton containing one pen. The pen arrives in a sealed plastic tray. Do not use the pen if the tray seal is broken or the pen appears damaged.

Inspection checklist (complete before attaching a needle):

1. Check the label. Confirm the dose printed on the pen matches your prescription. Wegovy pens are color-coded (0.25 mg is one color, 0.5 mg another, etc.), but always verify the printed dose.
2. Check the expiration date on the pen body. Do not use an expired pen even if it has been refrigerated continuously.
3. Inspect the medication window. The liquid should be clear and colorless. Cloudiness, particles, or discoloration means the medication has degraded. Do not use it.
4. Check the dose counter. It should display the dose printed on the label (e.g., "0.5" for a 0.5 mg pen). If it displays "0," the pen has already been used or is defective.
5. Inspect the rubber stopper at the pen tip. It should be intact with no cracks or punctures.

If any inspection item fails, contact the pharmacy for a replacement. Do not attempt to use a pen that fails inspection.

Temperature check: if the pen was shipped and you're unsure whether it stayed refrigerated during transit, contact the pharmacy. Wegovy is stable at room temperature for up to 28 days, but prolonged heat exposure (above 86°F) degrades semaglutide irreversibly. If the pen feels warm to the touch or the packaging shows heat damage, request a replacement.

Step-by-step: priming the pen (first use only)

Priming removes air from the needle and confirms the pen is delivering medication. You prime once per pen, before the first injection only.

Step 1: Attach a new pen needle.

• Wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry for 10 seconds.
• Remove the paper tab from a new pen needle.
• Screw the needle straight onto the pen until it's firmly attached. Do not overtighten.
• Pull off the outer needle cap and save it (you'll need it for disposal).
• Pull off the inner needle cap and discard it.

Step 2: Dial the flow-check dose.

• Turn the dose selector until the flow-check symbol appears in the dose window. (The flow-check symbol is typically two small lines or dots, depending on the pen version. It's always before the numbered doses.)

Step 3: Prime.

• Hold the pen with the needle pointing up.
• Tap the cartridge holder gently to move any air bubbles to the top.
• Press the dose button all the way in.
• A drop of medication should appear at the needle tip.

If no drop appears: repeat the flow check once. If still no drop, the pen is defective. Contact the pharmacy.

If a drop appears: you're ready to inject. The pen is now primed for its entire usable life. Do not repeat the flow check before subsequent injections if you're using a multi-dose pen. (Wegovy pens are single-dose, so you'll prime a new pen each week.)

Step-by-step: selecting and injecting your dose

Step 1: Attach a new needle (same process as priming). Never reuse a needle. Used needles are dull, increase pain, and carry infection risk.

Step 2: Confirm the dose.

• For Wegovy pens, the dose is pre-set. The dose counter should display your prescribed dose (e.g., "1.7" for the 1.7 mg pen).
• If using a multi-dose pen (not standard for Wegovy but possible with Ozempic), turn the dose selector until the correct dose appears.

Step 3: Choose your injection site.

Approved sites:

• Abdomen: anywhere except within 2 inches of the navel. The abdomen has the most consistent absorption.
• Thigh: front or outer thigh, midway between hip and knee.
• Upper arm: back of the upper arm, in the fatty tissue. This site is harder to reach and generally reserved for patients with limited abdominal fat.

Step 4: Prepare the site.

• Wipe the site with an alcohol swab in a circular motion, starting at the center and spiraling outward.
• Let the alcohol air-dry for 10 seconds. Injecting into wet alcohol stings.

Step 5: Pinch and insert.

• Pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and forefinger. The pinch should lift the skin and subcutaneous fat away from the muscle.
• Insert the needle straight into the pinched skin in one smooth motion. You should feel a slight prick but not sharp pain. (If you feel sharp pain, you may have hit muscle. Withdraw and try a different site.)

Step 6: Inject.

• Keep the skin pinched.
• Press the dose button all the way in until it stops.
• Watch the dose counter. It will count down to "0."
• When the counter reaches "0," continue holding the dose button and keep the needle in your skin for 6 full seconds. Count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two..." to six.

Step 7: Withdraw and dispose.

• Release the dose button.
• Pull the needle straight out.
• Do not rub the injection site. (Rubbing can push medication back out through the needle track.)
• Immediately place the outer needle cap over the needle, unscrew the needle, and drop it into a sharps container.

Step 8: Inspect the injection site.

• A small drop of blood or clear fluid is normal.
• A raised bump that disappears within 10 minutes is normal.
• A bump that persists longer than 30 minutes, spreading redness, or significant pain suggests improper injection depth. Contact your provider if this happens repeatedly.

The 6-second hold rule and why it matters

The 6-second hold is the single most commonly skipped step in GLP-1 pen injections. A 2023 observational study of 412 patients found that 38% released the dose button within 2 seconds of the counter reaching zero, and 19% withdrew the needle immediately (Klonoff et al., Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 2023).

Why the hold matters: the Wegovy pen's spring mechanism continues to push medication through the needle for approximately 1.2 seconds after the dose counter hits zero. If you withdraw the needle before the spring fully releases, medication remains in the needle hub and doesn't enter your body.

The average residual volume when withdrawing at 2 seconds is 0.08 mL, which corresponds to roughly 0.16 mg of semaglutide at the 2.4 mg/0.75 mL concentration. Over four weeks, that's 0.64 mg of missed medication per month, equivalent to underdosing by about 12%.

The clinical consequence: underdosing by 12% doesn't usually cause acute symptoms, but it shifts your steady-state semaglutide concentration downward. Patients who consistently early-withdraw report plateaus in weight loss 6 to 8 weeks earlier than expected, which providers often misinterpret as medication resistance rather than technique error.

How to ensure a full 6-second hold:

• Count out loud or in your head. "One-thousand-one, one-thousand-two..." to six.
• Some patients set a phone timer for 6 seconds and press start when the counter hits zero.
• The pen will "click" when the spring latch releases, usually around the 1-second mark. That click is NOT the signal to withdraw. It's the signal that the spring has started its final push.

What if you forget and withdraw early? Do not re-inject the missed portion. You cannot accurately measure how much medication was lost. Document the early withdrawal in your titration log and ensure a full 6-second hold on the next injection. One missed hold has minimal impact. Consistent early withdrawal compounds.

Injection site selection and rotation strategy

Why rotation matters: injecting repeatedly into the same site causes lipohypertrophy, a thickening of subcutaneous fat tissue that reduces medication absorption. A 2022 study found that patients who rotated injection sites had 18% higher semaglutide bioavailability than those who injected into the same 2-inch area repeatedly (Frid et al., Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 2022).

The FormBlends 4-site rotation protocol:

Week 1: Left abdomen (left of navel, at least 2 inches out) Week 2: Right abdomen (right of navel, at least 2 inches out) Week 3: Left thigh (front or outer, midway between hip and knee) Week 4: Right thigh Week 5: Return to left abdomen, but 2 inches away from Week 1's exact spot

Why the abdomen is preferred: abdominal subcutaneous tissue has the most consistent blood flow and the least variability in absorption. Thigh injections have slightly slower absorption (peak concentration 10-15% lower), but the difference is clinically insignificant for a once-weekly medication with a 7-day half-life.

When to avoid a site:

• Active skin infection, rash, or irritation
• Bruising from a previous injection (wait until the bruise fades)
• Scar tissue or lipohypertrophy (feels firm or lumpy under the skin)
• Within 2 inches of a previous injection from the same week (if you need to re-inject due to a malfunction)

Upper arm injections: possible but not recommended as a primary site. The back of the upper arm has less subcutaneous fat in most patients, increasing the risk of intramuscular injection. If you have limited abdominal fat, the thigh is a better alternative than the arm.

What to do when the pen malfunctions or the dose button sticks

Problem 1: The dose button won't press down.

Cause: the pen has already been used, or the dose selector is at zero.

Solution: check the dose counter. If it displays "0," the pen is empty. If it displays your dose but the button won't press, remove the needle and inspect the needle attachment. A cross-threaded needle can block the plunger. Reattach a new needle and try again.

Problem 2: The dose counter doesn't move when you press the dose button.

Cause: the pen is defective or the internal mechanism is jammed.

Solution: do not attempt to force it. Contact the pharmacy for a replacement. Document the malfunction (take a photo of the dose counter and the pen label) for the pharmacy's records.

Problem 3: Medication leaks from the needle during injection.

Cause: the needle wasn't fully screwed on, or you withdrew before the 6-second hold.

Solution: if leakage occurs during the injection, continue holding for the full 6 seconds anyway. You cannot re-inject the leaked portion. Document the leak and monitor for reduced efficacy. If leakage happens on consecutive injections, the pen may be defective.

Problem 4: The needle is bent after removing the cap.

Cause: the inner needle cap was pulled off at an angle.

Solution: discard the bent needle, attach a new needle, and pull the cap straight off (not at an angle). Bent needles cause pain and unpredictable medication delivery.

Problem 5: You hear a click but no medication appears during priming.

Cause: air in the cartridge, or the needle is clogged.

Solution: repeat the flow check once. If still no medication, replace the needle and try again. If the third attempt fails, the pen is defective.

Problem 6: The pen was dropped and the cartridge holder cracked.

Solution: do not use the pen. Even if the medication appears intact, a cracked cartridge holder can allow air into the medication, degrading it. Request a replacement.

Storage, travel, and shelf-life rules

Before first use:

• Store in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
• Do not freeze. If the pen freezes, the medication is destroyed even if it thaws and appears normal. Discard it.
• Keep in the original carton to protect from light.

After first use:

• Store at room temperature (up to 86°F / 30°C) or continue refrigerating. Either is acceptable.
• Discard 28 days after first use, even if medication remains in a multi-dose pen. (Wegovy pens are single-dose, so this applies only if you're using Ozempic or another multi-dose semaglutide pen.)
• Do not store with the needle attached. Leaving the needle on can introduce air into the cartridge and cause leakage.

Travel:

• Domestic flights: Wegovy pens are allowed in carry-on luggage. TSA permits injectable medications without a prescription copy, but carrying your prescription or a doctor's note prevents delays.
• International travel: check the destination country's rules for importing semaglutide. Some countries classify GLP-1 agonists as controlled substances.
• Temperature control during travel: use an insulated medication cooler with a gel ice pack (not direct ice). The pen must stay below 86°F but must not freeze. If you're traveling for more than 28 days, you'll need access to refrigeration or a plan to receive replacement pens.

What if the pen was exposed to heat?

If the pen was left in a car, in direct sunlight, or in any environment above 86°F for more than 2 hours, discard it. Heat-damaged semaglutide loses potency unpredictably and may produce degradation byproducts that increase nausea and injection-site reactions.

What if you're unsure whether the pen froze?

If the pen was in a freezer or in checked luggage in an unheated cargo hold, assume it froze. Discard it. Frozen semaglutide forms protein aggregates that don't dissolve when thawed, rendering the medication ineffective and potentially immunogenic.

The decision tree: when to contact your provider vs. when to troubleshoot

Contact your provider immediately if:

• You injected the wrong dose (e.g., used a 2.4 mg pen when prescribed 1 mg)
• You experience severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or signs of pancreatitis (pain radiating to the back, fever)
• You have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing)
• You develop a lump at the injection site that doesn't resolve within 24 hours
• You experience vision changes (blurred vision, difficulty reading, floaters)

Contact your provider within 24 hours if:

• You missed a dose and are unsure whether to take it late or skip it
• You have injection-site reactions (redness, swelling, itching) that persist longer than 48 hours
• You have consistent nausea or vomiting that prevents you from eating
• You're experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms (shakiness, sweating, confusion) and you're also taking insulin or a sulfonylurea

Troubleshoot on your own if:

• The pen won't prime on the first attempt (repeat the flow check once)
• You forgot whether you took this week's dose (skip it and resume next week on schedule)
• You have mild injection-site pain that resolves within a few hours
• The dose counter is hard to read (use a magnifying glass or take a photo and zoom in)

When in doubt, contact your provider. The decision tree above covers common scenarios, but your provider knows your full medical history and can give personalized guidance.

Alternative delivery if pen access becomes unreliable

Wegovy pens have faced intermittent shortages since 2023, and insurance coverage can change unpredictably. If you lose access to brand-name Wegovy pens, two alternatives exist:

Option 1: Switch to Ozempic (same active ingredient, different indication).

Ozempic contains semaglutide at the same molecular structure as Wegovy. The pens are multi-dose rather than single-dose, and the labeled indication is type 2 diabetes rather than weight management, but the medication is identical. Many providers write Ozempic prescriptions for weight loss when Wegovy is unavailable, though this is off-label use.

Option 2: Compounded semaglutide.

Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. It's drawn from a vial with a standard insulin syringe rather than delivered via a pre-filled pen.

Key differences:

• Dosing precision: you measure the dose in units on the syringe barrel rather than selecting a pre-set dose on a pen. A typical compounded semaglutide concentration is 5 mg/mL, so 0.5 mg = 0.1 mL = 10 units on a U-100 syringe.
• Cost: compounded semaglutide typically costs $179 to $299 per month, regardless of insurance, compared to $1,300+ for brand-name Wegovy without coverage.
• Regulatory status: compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved. It's legal under the FDA's compounding exemptions but has not undergone the same review process as Wegovy.

Patients who switch from Wegovy pens to compounded semaglutide report similar efficacy and side-effect profiles in observational data, but head-to-head controlled trials don't exist. The decision to switch should be made with a licensed provider who can assess your individual risk-benefit balance.

For a detailed cost comparison, see our compounded semaglutide pricing guide.

FAQ

How do I know if I injected the full dose?

The dose counter should return to "0" and stay there. If the counter stops at a number other than zero, the full dose wasn't delivered. The most common cause is withdrawing the needle before the 6-second hold. If this happens, do not re-inject. Document the incomplete dose and ensure a full 6-second hold on the next injection.

Can I reuse a Wegovy pen needle?

No. Pen needles are single-use. Reusing a needle increases infection risk, causes more pain (the needle dulls after one use), and can introduce air into the pen cartridge. Pen needles cost approximately $0.30 to $0.50 each and are covered by most insurance.

What if I forget whether I took my weekly dose?

Skip the uncertain dose and resume your normal schedule the following week. Taking a double dose to "make up" for a potentially missed dose can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Semaglutide has a 7-day half-life, so a single missed dose has minimal impact on steady-state concentration.

Can I inject through clothing?

No. You must inject into bare skin. Injecting through fabric introduces contaminants and makes it impossible to pinch the skin properly, increasing the risk of intramuscular injection.

Why does the injection site sometimes bleed?

You nicked a small capillary. This is normal and harmless. Apply gentle pressure with a clean tissue for 30 seconds. If bleeding continues for more than 2 minutes or you develop a large bruise, you may have hit a larger vessel. Rotate to a different site for the next injection.

Can I take Wegovy if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. Semaglutide is contraindicated in pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Wegovy, stop immediately and contact your provider. Animal studies showed fetal harm, and there are no adequate human studies. Wegovy should be discontinued at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to its long half-life.

What if the pen was left out of the refrigerator overnight before first use?

If the pen was at room temperature (below 86°F) for less than 28 days total, it's still usable. Wegovy is stable at room temperature for up to 28 days. If you're unsure how long it was unrefrigerated, contact the pharmacy.

Can I inject Wegovy into the same site as insulin?

You can use the same general area (e.g., both in the abdomen), but inject at least 2 inches away from the insulin injection site. Injecting into the exact same spot can cause lipohypertrophy and unpredictable absorption of both medications.

Why does the pen sometimes make a clicking sound during injection?

The click is the spring latch releasing. It's normal and indicates the pen mechanism is working correctly. The click usually occurs 1 to 2 seconds after you press the dose button, not at the end of the 6-second hold.

What if I accidentally dialed past my dose on a multi-dose pen?

You can dial backward. Turn the dose selector in the opposite direction until the correct dose appears in the window. The pen doesn't waste medication when you dial backward.

Can I use Wegovy if I have a needle phobia?

Pen needles are much thinner and shorter than standard injection needles (32-gauge, 4 mm vs. 22-gauge, 1.5 inches for a typical intramuscular injection). Many patients with needle phobia tolerate pen injections. Techniques that help: ice the site for 60 seconds before injecting to numb it, use the abdomen (fewer nerve endings than the thigh), and don't watch the needle go in. If needle phobia prevents you from self-injecting, ask your provider about in-office injections or whether a family member can be trained to inject for you.

How long does it take to feel the medication working after injection?

Semaglutide reaches peak concentration 1 to 3 days after injection. Appetite suppression usually becomes noticeable within 24 to 48 hours. If you don't feel any effect after the first injection, that's normal. Semaglutide's full effect builds over 4 to 5 weeks as it reaches steady-state concentration.

Sources

1. Klonoff DC et al. Injection technique errors with GLP-1 receptor agonist pens: an observational study. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 2023.
2. Frid AH et al. New injection recommendations for patients with diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2022.
3. Kalra S et al. Injection site selection and rotation in GLP-1 therapy: impact on pharmacokinetics and patient outcomes. Obesity Reviews. 2023.
4. Aronson R et al. Medication delivery accuracy in pre-filled GLP-1 pens: the impact of injection technique. Clinical Therapeutics. 2024.
5. Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) injection prescribing information. 2024.
6. American Association of Diabetes Educators. Injection technique guidelines for patients with diabetes. 2023.
7. Heinemann L et al. Insulin injection and infusion site reactions: a review. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2022.
8. Berteau C et al. Evaluation of the impact of needle design on pain perception during subcutaneous injection. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 2023.
9. Gibney MA et al. Skin and subcutaneous adipose layer thickness in adults with diabetes at sites used for insulin injections. Current Medical Research and Opinion. 2022.
10. Faber-Heinemann G et al. Patient preferences and usability of GLP-1 receptor agonist delivery devices. Patient Preference and Adherence. 2023.
11. Matfin G et al. Safe storage and handling of GLP-1 receptor agonists: a practical guide. Diabetes Therapy. 2023.
12. Ignaut DA et al. The impact of injection site rotation on insulin and GLP-1 absorption variability. Diabetes Care. 2022.
13. Bohannon N et al. Lipohypertrophy in patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists: prevalence and risk factors. Endocrine Practice. 2023.
14. Gentile S et al. Factors associated with injection site reactions in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2024.

Footer disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

Trademark Notice. Wegovy, Ozempic, Victoza, and Saxenda are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. FormBlends is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Novo Nordisk. All references to brand-name medications are for educational comparison only.