Even the most type A among us can lose track of something on the to-do list from time to time. And while you would hope that taking medication would be one of the things you'd always remember — things happen. In the case of the GLP-1 weight-loss medication Wegovy, that might mean you wake up one morning and realize you were supposed to give yourself an injection days ago and totally blanked on it. Or maybe you’ve been having trouble with a Wegovy shortage at your pharmacy. So, can you skip a week of Wegovy? Here's what to do if that happens, including when to take the next dose and how to talk to your provider about it.
Wegovy dosage schedule
Wegovy (the brand name for the drug semaglutide that’s FDA-approved for weight management) is a weekly injection that comes in five strengths, from 0.25mg to 2.4mg. Once you inject the medication into your body, the half-life of Wegovy is about one week. That doesn’t mean the drug is completely gone after a week, rather that about 50% of the medication remains in your system. As a result, some people say they start to feel hunger and cravings crop up again as they near the end of the week, says Dr. Disha Narang, M.D., director of obesity medicine at Endeavor Health in Skokie, IL. “That’s why Wegovy is dosed weekly,” she says, adding that with the next dose, things quickly go back to their new normal. “People take the shot and their hunger is suppressed again.”
Can you skip a week of Wegovy?
With whatever medication you’re taking, it’s always best to follow the dosage schedule. This holds true for Wegovy, since taking it as prescribed ensures it’s most effective at managing your weight. Sticking to the weekly dosage schedule can also help keep Wegovy side effects at bay because your body is used to having a certain level of the medication in your system, says Narang. If the level drops and rises again, side effects can worsen.
Can you skip Wegovy while on vacation?
Some people purposely skip a week of Wegovy on vacation in order to have more of an appetite — they want to be able to eat more of their favorite foods. Or they usually get side effects like nausea a day or two after the shot and don’t want to experience those while on a trip. Although experts recommend taking Wegovy consistently and as directed, it’s okay to do this on occasion, says Narang. You may notice more cravings and hunger, but “that might be the desired goal,” she adds.
One important thing to keep in mind is that Wegovy may be easier to travel with than you think: Per the manufacturer, it can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days. It shouldn’t hang out in a hot car all day, but it can absolutely go into your carry-on bag on a flight.
What happens if you miss a Wegovy dose?
First step: Don’t stress. “If you miss a week of Wegovy, it’s not a big deal,” says Dr, Supirya Rao, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine based in Boston. That doesn’t mean that it’s okay to continually switch up your schedule or take Wegovy for weight loss intermittently, but it does mean that a one-off brain blip is okay. “Missing multiple weeks in a row will start to become a problem,” she says. That’s because longer breaks can raise the risk for weight regain, as well as make it more likely that you’ll experience side effects once you resume taking it again.
If you miss a dose of Wegovy, take the next dose when you remember, Narang says. So if you normally take it on Monday and today is Wednesday, give yourself the injection now and take future doses on Wednesdays moving forward. If it’s been a full week, take your normal dose and keep going weekly after that. More than a week or two past? You may need to drop back down to a lower dose to reduce the risk of side effects when you start back up again, like nausea, Narang says, so talk to your provider.
As for how to handle a potential increase in hunger and cravings after missing a dose of Wegovy, the first thing you’ll want to do is give yourself some grace, says Narang. Know that your appetite will likely be higher, which can result in your eating more at meals and snacks. She recommends focusing on fiber (like fruits, veggies, and whole grains) and protein (lean meats, fish, seafood) to feel fuller, while limiting processed foods. If you’re following the WeightWatchers GLP-1 Program, you’ll get guidance on how to prioritize those nutrients.
In addition, make sure you’re staying physically active. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise and two days of strength training per week, according to recommendations. “Diet and exercise are important lifestyle pillars to have in place to ensure you’re as successful as you can be, whether on the medication or if you happen to miss a dose,” adds Rao.
Despite these changes in appetite, if you keep your lifestyle consistent with what you were doing while on the medication, you may still be able to maintain your weight or even still lose some weight the week you skip a dose, says Narang. Just remember: If you gain, that’s okay, too. “Weight loss is not always linear. Depending on what else may be going on — life stressors, vacation, change in routine — sometimes patients may have no changes in weight or even regain despite medication therapy,” she says. It’s about long-term progress, not perfection.
What to do if you stopped taking Wegovy
Has it been a few weeks (or longer) since you’ve taken Wegovy? Talk with your provider. Open up about why you stopped taking Wegovy, whether that was because of availability and insurance problems, side effects, or a personal reason. Your clinician may be able to help you problem-solve, like by switching up your medication in some way. “We want to make sure that you’re on the right dose for you, or we may suggest a different medication or add on a complementary medication for weight management,” says Dr. Jaime Almandoz, M.D., a weight-management specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
The bottom line
If you miss a week of Wegovy, don’t worry. Take your next dose when you’re able to and take future ones a week later. Depending on how long you’ve been off of the medication, you may notice an uptick in hunger and side effects, like nausea. In that case, talk to your provider, who may recommend lowering your dose in the short-term until your body becomes acclimated again.
FAQs
Talk to your doctor before taking an intentional break. Although skipping one week of Wegovy likely won’t cause harm, you may notice an increase in side effects once you start up the medication again. It’s also possible that you may notice a rise in hunger and cravings when off the medication, even for a short period of time.
Half of the dosage of Wegovy wears off after a week, though it takes five to seven weeks for the medication to completely clear your system. Still, doctors report that some people feel an increase in their hunger levels and cravings toward the end of the week as the dose begins to decrease. That hunger is once again suppressed after they take their next dose.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be regarded as a substitute for guidance from your healthcare provider.