The reason behind the notice is rather icky, according to recently released details from the FDA.
More and more Americans are turning to GLP-1 drugs for support with diabetes management or weight loss—according to a 2025 study from FAIR Health, 2% of people in the U.S. reported taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss in 2024. Now, with pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk introducing a pill form of its popular drug Wegovy earlier this week, these drugs are poised to become even more popular. At the same time, a recent nationwide recall of the injectable version should be noted.
On December 19, 2025, Novo Nordisk issued a voluntary recall for four lots of two different dosages of injectable Wegovy, according to an enforcement report provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall pertains to prefilled pens of .5-milligram dosages and 1-milligram dosages.
The recalling reason stands out, as the FDA says it’s due to the presence of “particulate matter”—specifically, “hair was found in a prefilled syringe.” The FDA designated the recall as a Class II event on December 31, which indicates a situation where exposure to the recalled product could cause adverse health effects, though the chances of those effects are low.
According to a posted statement from Novo Nordisk, the issue was discovered during routine inspection, and the affected products were never sent to patients or retailers. The company notes that “no supply disruptions” are anticipated because of the recall.
Though the total quantity of affected products was not mentioned, the FDA report includes details about the specific lots and expiration dates involved:
Wegovy (semaglutide) Injection, 0.5 mg/0.5 mL, 4 Single-Dose Prefilled Pens
- Lot #: RZFHD52, RZFHW93
- Expiration Date: 10/31/2026
Wegovy (semaglutide) Injection, 1 mg/0.5 mL, 4 Single-Dose Prefilled Pens
- Lot #: RZFYK06, RZFYA53
- Expiration Date: 3/31/2027
According to the Novo Nordisk statement, there are “no confirmed reports of this issue in any Wegovy® pens that are already on the market and no adverse effects known to be related to this issue have been reported from product in these lots to date.” The company also states that “no action from patients is needed or recommended at this time” and any medical risks would be considered minor.
Wegovy is a brand name for the drug semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Wegovy is specifically marketed as a weight-loss drug—it works primarily by decreasing appetite to promote and maintain weight loss and can also be used to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with excess weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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