What happens if you use expired semaglutide?

If you find yourself holding an expired dose of semaglutide, you might be tempted to use it, especially since it’s not cheap. But what happens if you use expired semaglutide? While some medications remain effective and safe past their expiration date, semaglutide probably isn’t one of them. 

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, is a peptide-based drug. This means it’s made up of short chains of amino acids, and as such, its stability can be affected by time and temperature. Using expired semaglutide could result in unexpected side effects or loss of effectiveness. 

Here’s what you need to know about expired semaglutide, how to tell if it’s gone bad, and how to dispose of it safely.

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Imagine you’re about to inject your dose of semaglutide, but you notice the expiration date has passed. Now what? Here’s what can happen if you use expired semaglutide:

Unknown effects

The expiration date represents the manufacturer’s guarantee that the medicine will remain safe and effective if stored correctly. Drug manufacturers determine expiration dates through extensive stability testing, which assesses how temperature, humidity, and time affect a drug’s potency and safety. For injectable forms of semaglutide, refrigeration is key to maintaining stability, but even when stored properly, its effects are unknown beyond the expiration date. That’s why it’s best to stick with in-date medication and ensure your semaglutide is properly stored to maximize its benefits. 

More side effects

Using expired medication always comes with a degree of uncertainty. While there isn’t any specific data on expired semaglutide, degradation over time could lead to changes in its chemical composition. This might lead to unexpected side effects or a higher risk of injection site reactions. Peptide-based medications like semaglutide have poor stability. This means they can break down or lose their effectiveness if they are kept too long or not stored properly—and they are more sensitive to factors like changes in temperature compared to other types of medications. 

Also, because semaglutide is a peptide-based medication, its structure can change over time. This could lead to aggregation, or clumping, of the peptide molecules, making it less effective or possibly triggering an immune reaction called immunogenicity. It happens when the immune system sees the drug as a foreign object and tries to attack it. Symptoms can range from no noticeable effects to life-threatening anaphylaxis. If you have trouble breathing, swelling of your lips or tongue, or severe skin reactions after using semaglutide, seek medical attention right away.

Risk of infection

Injectable medications need to stay sterile to avoid contamination and prevent infections. Sealed semaglutide products like Ozempic and Wegovy are designed to stay contamination-free until their expiration date, assuming they’re properly stored. 

After they expire, however, there's a greater chance the medication could become contaminated, especially if preservatives weaken over time or the formulation degrades. This can increase the risk of infection, which could lead to redness, swelling, or, in some cases, more serious complications like abscesses at or near the injection site. While there’s no direct evidence linking expired semaglutide to infection, avoiding expired medications is the safest approach.

Loss of effectiveness

Another concern with using expired semaglutide is that it might lose its potency. The active ingredient can break down over time, which means it may not work as well for controlling blood sugar and body weight. If you’re using semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, weakened potency could mean higher blood sugar levels. If you’re taking it for weight management, reduced effectiveness could mean you don’t feel full as quickly or for as long after eating.

No noticeable issues

While some Reddit users have reported using expired semaglutide without noticeable issues, there’s no guarantee it will still be fully effective or safe. Manufacturers test the stability only up to the expiration, so anything beyond that date is uncertain. 

Some medications do retain their potency well past their expiration dates. Studies have shown that some solid medications, like tablets, can remain stable for years when stored properly. Injectable and liquid medications, however, tend to be more sensitive. 

The safest approach is to follow the expiration date—you can find it on Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus product packaging next to the lot number. For compounded forms of semaglutide, check the date on your prescription label and call the compounding pharmacy if you have any questions or concerns.

Semaglutide, like all medications, has an expiration date that tells you when it is no longer guaranteed to be safe or effective. This date depends on factors like the semaglutide form (injectable form vs. oral tablet), how it's stored, and whether the product has been opened. Here’s how long each form lasts and how to check the expiration.

Ozempic expiration

Ozempic is a brand-name injectable medication that is FDA-approved to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels and, in people with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease, reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event like heart attack or stroke. In addition, the FDA recently approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease, kidney failure, and cardiovascular-related death in adults with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.  It’s also used off-label for weight loss. 

When stored properly in the refrigerator (36°F–46°F), unopened Ozempic pens remain effective until the expiration date printed on the carton and pen label. Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical manufacturer, assigns a two-year (24-month) expiration period from the date the product is made. However, since pharmacies dispense medications at a later date than they are manufactured, the expiration date printed on your Ozempic pens may be less than two years away.

Once you open an Ozempic pen, it can be kept at room temperature (59°F–86°F) or in the fridge for up to 56 days. After that, the manufacturer recommends discarding any leftover doses.

Wegovy expiration

Wegovy is another semaglutide injection. It’s FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 and over with overweight and obesity and at least one weight-related condition. It’s also approved to lower the risk of a major cardiovascular event (e.g. heart attack, stroke) in people with overweight or obesity and existing cardiovascular disease. 

Like Ozempic, Wegovy is good for 24 months from the date of manufacture (if kept in ideal storage conditions). Unopened Wegovy pens should be refrigerated (36°F–46°F) until the expiration date printed on the box and pen. If left at room temperature (59°F–86°F), Wegovy should be used within 28 days. After that, discard any unused doses, even if the pen appears fine. 

Since Wegovy pens are single-use (one dose per pen), there’s no “after opening” storage guidance like there is for Ozempic.

Rybelsus expiration

Rybelsus is an oral tablet form of semaglutide that’s FDA-approved for blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes. It doesn’t require refrigeration. Rybelsus should be stored at room temperature (68°F–77°F) and kept in a dry place away from moisture and heat. If necessary, Rybelsus tablets can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F–86°F for a short time, such as when you’re traveling.

Rybelsus expires two years from the date of manufacture, according to stability tests. As long as the tablets are stored properly in their original bottle and remain within this timeframe, they should be safe and effective. (In other words, don’t store Rybelsus tablets in a pill organizer or any other pill storage container.) 

The expiration date is printed on the Rybelsus bottle and the pharmacy label. You can take Rybelsus up until this date, regardless of when you first open the medication bottle. 

Compounded semaglutide expiration

Compounded semaglutide has not been approved by the FDA and doesn’t have a standardized expiration date like Ozempic or Wegovy. Instead, it comes with a beyond-use date (BUD), which is the last day the medication is guaranteed to remain safe to use, as determined by the compounding pharmacy that made the product. So, the shelf life for compounded semaglutide can vary.

Some pharmacies determine the BUD based on factors like the types of ingredients and how the medication was prepared rather than performing extensive stability testing. In general, compounded semaglutide typically stays good for 14–28 days as long as it’s properly stored according to the pharmacy’s instructions. Refrigeration is usually required. Some pharmacies may assign a BUD of up to 120 days but only if they’ve conducted rigorous stability testing, similar to the testing drug manufacturers use for establishing expiration dates. 

To find the BUD for your compounded semaglutide, check the prescription label. If you can’t find it, contact your pharmacy. If the date has already passed (or it will be by the time you are due for your next dose), call your pharmacy or healthcare provider to get a refill or new prescription. 

Overall, using expired semaglutide is just not worth the risk. While there may be some rare cases where using expired medications is acceptable or proven to have an extended shelf life, semaglutide isn’t one of those cases. Instead, contact your pharmacy for a refill or your healthcare provider for a new prescription to ensure you’re getting the full benefit of your treatment.

When it comes to disposing of expired semaglutide, the method depends on the form you have. For injectable pens and vials, it’s important to place them in an FDA-cleared sharps container or a sturdy plastic container with a secure lid. Never throw them directly in the trash, as this can lead to injuries. Used syringes and needles should also go into a sharps container for safe disposal.

For Rybelsus tablets, you can use a drug take-back program if possible. Or you can mix the expired tablets with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds or cat litter, seal them in a plastic bag, and dispose of them in the household trash. These steps help prevent accidental ingestion by children or pets.

There are several free safe disposal options to consider. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days, during which anyone can drop off expired or unwanted medications at authorized collection sites. Many pharmacies, such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, offer in-store disposal kiosks for unused medications. 

If you prefer convenience, several mail-back services are available for a fee. Services like ARXG, Stericycle, and Deterra, offer safe disposable envelopes you purchase and fill with expired drugs. This allows you to mail unwanted medications to a destruction facility using a sealed, tamper-evident envelope. 

Whichever method you use, be sure to first remove all personal information on the prescription label or use a permanent marker to cover it.     

Like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide must be stored properly to remain safe and effective. Even before the labeled expiration date, exposure to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or moisture can cause medications to degrade. 

Besides following the recommended storage guidelines, another tip is to keep track of when you take Ozempic or Wegovy out of the fridge. Consider writing the date on the box or making a note on your calendar. Discard any Ozempic pens stored at room temperature for more than 56 days or Wegovy pens left out of the fridge for over 28 days, even if they look normal. If medication has frozen due to your refrigerator being too cold, you should also throw it away.

Always inspect your semaglutide carefully before you inject it. The solution in Ozempic and Wegovy should be clear and colorless. If it appears cloudy or discolored or contains specks or particles, the medication has gone bad. Don’t use an Ozempic or Wegovy pen that looks damaged. Same goes for any injector pens or needles that you drop. Even if it doesn’t look broken, don’t use it. It’s just not worth the risk of infection. 

Similarly, you shouldn’t use Rybelsus tablets that have been exposed to excessive heat or moisture. Rybelsus tablets should be whole, white to light yellow in color, and smooth–don’t take the medication if the tablet looks damp, broken, or discolored.

Manufacturers test medications for stability up to the expiration date, and beyond that, the safety and effectiveness are uncertain. While some medications may remain effective long after their expiration date, others can lose potency or even become unsafe. If you’re wondering what may happen if you use expired semaglutide, here’s a recap of what to consider:

• Avoid using expired semaglutide. The effects of using expired semaglutide are unknown. Expired semaglutide may lose its effectiveness, cause unexpected side effects, or lead to infection due to potential contamination. You can reach out to a healthcare professional for medical advice if you think you’re experiencing adverse reactions.

• Check the date before using semaglutide. Be sure to check the expiration date on Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus packaging. Compounded semaglutide has a beyond-use date (BUD), which is determined by the compounding pharmacy and may be shorter than the expiration date of FDA-approved versions. Check the BUD on your prescription label before using compounded semaglutide.

• Follow proper storage and disposal guidelines. Read the storage instructions that come with your semaglutide. Injectable forms of semaglutide are typically refrigerated until the first use. To dispose of medication-related materials properly, use an FDA-cleared sharps container for injectable forms and needles. For oral semaglutide, consider a drug take-back or mail-in program for safety and convenience.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

February 25, 2025

Written by

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.